Month of May – anniversary of the deaths of RobertBradshaw, Paul Southwell, Joseph France and Lee Moore

By: E. Williams 

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 23RD 2017 – Today May 23^rd 2017 marks the 39^th anniversary of the death of First National Hero, Second Chief Minister, First Premier and Father of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Independence, The Right Excellent Sir Robert L. Bradshaw.

It was at 11:30 P.M. on May 23^rd 1978, surrounded by close family, Cabinet colleagues, Labour Party officials and close and trusted friends, that Premier Bradshaw died at his home at Fortlands, Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Photo of the Robert Bradshaw Labour Government in the House of Assembly

FRONT ROW: (left to right – Hon. Fitzroy C. Bryant, Hon. E. St. John Payne; Hon. Robert L. Bradshaw; Hon. C.A. Paul Southwell, Hon. Lee L. Moore and Hon. Ivan De Grasse.

BACK ROW: (left to right) – Hon. Owen Caines, Hon. J. N. France and Hon. Desmond Ward

May 18^th 2017 also marked the 38^th Anniversary of the death of Mr. Bradshaw’s successor, The Right Excellent Sir C. A. Paul Southwell. Premier Southwell. Mr. Southwell died on May 18^th 1979 in St. Lucia, shortly after chairing a meeting of Eastern Caribbean leaders at which a decision was made to institutionalise the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Former Premier, United Nations Ambassador and Legal Luminary, His Excellency Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore, died on May 6^th2000.

Former parliamentarian, government minister and trade unionist, the Rt. Excellent Sir Joseph N. France died on May 21^st1997.

Photo is courtesy of the National Archives in St. Kitts