final voyage

Family, friends and members of the Barbados Landship Association bid adieu to the late Lord High Admiral, Vernon Watson yesterday as he made his final voyage here on earth.

During the service, which occurred at the Holy Innocents Anglican Church and was followed by the interment in the churchyard, his life and the contributions made to the development and preservation of the Barbados Landship were remembered.

The late Watson, who was affectionately known as Captain, Captain Watson or Dockie died on January 9th, 2021. Due to the current COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, only 60 persons made up the congregation at yesterday’s funeral in celebration of his life.

There were spoken and instrumental tributes as part of the service and at the graveside.  Also moving to the tuk band music, and members of the Barbados Landship Association at the conclusion of the proceedings performed a number of their manoeuvres as they did a fitting send off to the late Lord High Admiral.

Addressing the gathering, Margaret Williams, who delivered a tribute on behalf of Patron of the Barbados Landship Association, Sir David Simmons, spoke of the late Watson as a “man of impeccable character, good manners, reliable and disciplined, convivial and gregarious.”

It was said  the late Captain’s “commitment was always centred on ensuring that the Landship grew, developed and survived as an important socio-cultural institution.”

It was further stated, “in the course of his leadership of the Association, he created a proper organisational structure for the Association to underpin the key traditional and current activities of the Association. He was able to cement the Barbados Landship as a fascinating cultural icon in the psyche of the people of Barbados.”

In delivering the eulogy, Dr. Nancy Jacobs spoke of the many sides of the late Watson. She shared about his early profession working in the sugar fields, driving tractors and trucks at many plantations in St. Thomas, St. Andrew and St. James. Mentioned was also made of his role as Justice of Peace and as the supervisor/manager of the buildings at Queen’s Park.

She additionally highlighted when he was sworn in as an official member of the Barbados Landship Association. She also spoke about his work at the helm. It was stated he spearheaded many initiatives such as taking steps to increase the organisation’s membership. He also led the group when they attended Heads of Government conferences, regional festivals especially CARIFESTA, on multiple occasions.

Dr. Jacobs noted that “Lord High Admiral Vernon Watson, at a time when many believed the Landship had become irrelevant, himself became both a Master and a Servant: Master of the Arts and Crafts of the socio-cultural entity that has a history which must never be forgotten: and ever faithful Servant to the ‘legacy of the Landship’ which we and future Barbadians neglect at our peril.”

She urged the gathering to carrying on the legacy of the late Captain.

“Vernon Watson fought until his last to keep that ‘legacy’ alive. Those of us who remain must use our every faculty to be guardians of the fate of the Barbados Landship. To batten down the hatches and hold the rudder on a straight course. Help to realise the goal, steer the course which the Admiral set.” (MG)