Sir Clement Lying In State
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
April 07, 2011 (CUOPM)
Scores of residents have been filing past the open casket of St. Kitts and Nevis’ First Governor General, the late Sir Clement Athelston Arrindell, GCMG, GCVO, QC. and signing the Book of Condolence ahead of Thursday afternoon’s State Funeral Service.
The Body in an open wooden casket has been Lying in State since 10:00 this morning at Government House, Sir Clement’s home for several years when he was Governor and later Governor General of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Sir Clement, who died at the age of 79 on March 25th 2011, and will be buried with full military honours following a State Funeral Service at the Wesley Methodist Church at 3:00 P.M.
The State Service will be led by Methodist Minister, Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, who will also read the Gospel and deliver the Sermon.
According to the Order of Service, a tribute will be given by Dr. the Right Hon. Sir Kennedy A. Simmonds, First Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Eulogy will be delivered by St. Kitts-born Dr. Joseph S. Archibald, distinguished legal luminary resident in the British Virgin Islands; the Scripture Reading by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor and the Epistle by Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.
The Wesley Senior Choir will render an appropriate selection.
Sir Clement will be buried with full military honours with units of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, the St. Kitts-Nevis Cadet Corps and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force band participating. The legal fraternity will also be in attendance.
Sir Clement was a barrister by profession and served as Magistrate in St. Kitts and Nevis and the British Virgin Islands; a Judge of the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court; Governor of the State of St. Kitts and Nevis and Governor General of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.