A THING OF THE PAST Governor's Uniform In Anguilla

Alan Huckle, the next Governor appointed for Anguilla will not be wearing the traditional uniform on ceremonial occasions. The gleaming white attire, complete with sword, helmet and plume of swan feathers among other regalia, is now a thing of the past. The British Government has no interest in the pomp and circumstance surrounding the colonial outfit and has not been paying the cost for the dress. That cost, probably in the region of three thousand pounds, has been left for the Governments of the Overseas Territories or the Governors themselves to pay.

Outgoing Governor in Anguilla, Peter Johnstone paid for his and the Government has now decided that it no longer wishes the uniform to be worn on the island in the future.

Governor Johnstone, who will be leaving the territory on April 29, presented his uniform to the Anguilla Historical and Archaeological Society at its Annual General, Meeting at Paradise Cove on Tuesday evening, March 30. The presentation was made to Sir Emile Gumbs, who has been serving as the Society’s Vice President for the past two years. The uniform will now be kept along with thousands of other artifacts for the planned National Museum. Mr. Johnstone however kept the sword as a memento.

In an interview with The Anguillian, Governor Johnstone said the idea to donate his uniform to the society came to him while talking to President Aileen Smith and Kenn Banks about the national museum. “I asked them ‘would you be interested in having the uniform?’…They were very interested and took it to their Board and they said they would love to have it,” Mr. Johnstone said, noting that he decided to keep the sword as a souvenir. “I don’t feel any sentimental attachment to it and I just hope they can display it in the museum as a piece of contemporary history because if won’t be seen in Anguilla again.”

Asked how he saw the wearing of the uniform as an object of pomp and circumstance and of interest to tourists, he replied: “I agree with the first bit but I am not sure of the second bit because I don’t think that many tourists turned up for the Queen’s Birthday. The Governor doesn’t traditionally wear it on Anguilla Day so it is only about once a year one gets to see the uniform. It certainly contributes to the pomp and circumstance, but if you look at the turn out of people for the parade, maybe those are past.

“When I asked the younger people here tonight whether they think that we should keep the uniform, I think their vote was no. They don’t see it as particularly attractive so may be the Governor does away with the pomp but keeps the dignity.

“The Chief Minister keeps dignity for Anguilla Day without any uniform, so why can’t the Governor do the same?”

“Are you saying that the British Government will not care to see the uniform go,” the Governor was questioned.

“In fact they were not very supportive about keeping the uniform, but they didn’t feel they could stop an Overseas Territory from continuing to have a Governor wearing the uniform if that was what it really wanted,” he responded. “I asked Executive Council and they decided they didn’t want the next Governor to wear uniform so that’s what going to happen.”