State House (BGIS)
Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, Freedom of Barbados, Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Dame of St. Andrew, Senior Counsel, Doctor of Laws, President of Barbados, has consented to the announcement of National Honours on the occasion of the Third Anniversary as a Parliamentary Republic and Fifty-eighth Anniversary of Independence of Barbados.
Retired Justice Christopher Blackman, engineer and contractor Richard Edghill and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Senator Henrietta Elizabeth Thompson are among those who have been recognised in this year’s Independence Day Honours List.
The three have received the Order of the Freedom of Barbados.
Mr. Blackman has been awarded for his distinguished career as a Justice of Appeal and High Court Judge in Barbados and throughout the region, his exemplary service to the Government and People of Barbados and for his exceptional leadership of the Constitutional Reform Commission.
Mr. Edghill is honoured for his illustrious career as an engineer and contractor, sterling contributions to the construction, real estate, hospitality and tourism industries in Barbados and his renowned entrepreneurial endeavours that contribute to the social, economic and environmental development of Barbados.
Senator Thompson meanwhile has been recognised for her stellar career as a Barbadian international public servant serving as Ambassador at the United Nations and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, her outstanding contributions to combat the climate crisis and promote the sustainable development of small island developing states, her distinguished service in the Honourable The Senate and her exceptional work with the Parliamentary Reform Commission.
The Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados, which is conferred on distinguished individuals who are not citizens of Barbados, goes to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Guyanese-British Edmond Montague Grant.
Receiving the Order of the Republic for distinguished national achievement and merit are Reverend Dr. Joel Cumberbatch, Anthony Gilkes and Jeffrey Hoyte.
The list was officially released at midnight, as Barbados celebrates its 58th anniversary of Independence and 3rd year as a Republic.
Please see the full list of awardees below:
2024 INDEPENDENCE DAY HONOURS LIST
ORDER OF FREEDOM OF BARBADOS
For distinguished and extraordinary service to Barbados, the Caribbean, the Caribbean Diaspora or to humanity at large.
1. Mr. Christopher Arthur Blackman, G.C.M., S.C.
For his distinguished career as a Justice of Appeal and High Court Judge in Barbados and throughout the region, his exemplary service to the Government and People of Barbados and for his exceptional leadership of the Constitutional Reform Commission.
2. Mr. Richard Linton Vere Edghill
For his illustrious career as an engineer and contractor, sterling contributions to the construction, real estate, hospitality and tourism industries in Barbados and his renowned entrepreneurial endeavours that contribute to the social, economic and environmental development of Barbados.
3. Ms. Henrietta Elizabeth Thompson
For her stellar career as a Barbadian international public servant serving as Ambassador at the United Nations and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, her outstanding contributions to combat the climate crisis and promote the sustainable development of small island developing states, her distinguished service in the Honourable The Senate and her exceptional work with the Parliamentary Reform Commission.
HONORARY ORDER OF FREEDOM OF BARBADOS
A distinguished person who is not a citizen of Barbados may be conferred an honorary appointment to the Freedom of Barbados where it is desirable that the person be so honoured by Barbados.
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
For his leading role and reputation of responsiveness and care as the Government of the Republic of India under his strategic leadership took urgent action to assist countries like Barbados with Covishield vaccines that changed the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and minimised its social and economic impacts.
2. Mr. Edmond Montague Grant
For his exceptional achievements as a global cultural icon, innovator of unique genres of music including soca and ringbang music, vociferous promoter of indigenous music, socio-political commentator, his matchless talent as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and his excellent contributions to the development of local, regional and international recording artistes.
ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC
For distinguished national achievement and merit.
1. Reverend Dr. Joel Decourcey Cumberbatch
For his distinguished career as a spiritual advisor, administrator and educator playing a leading role in the revision of the religious education curriculum throughout the Caribbean, his dedicated service to ministry and the church, in particular to the local, regional and international Weslyan Holiness Church and his outstanding contributions to youth and community development.
2. Mr. Anthony Altureo Gilkes, S.C.M.
For his illustrious career as an activist, award winning investigative journalist of international acclaim and founding members of the Nation Publishing Company. His outstanding accomplishments as a PR and Communications consultant and a cultural entrepreneur, his principal role in researching and reviving the former plantation celebrations that marked the end of the sugar cane harvest, that resulted in the launch of the inaugural Crop Over Festival.
3. Mr. Jeffrey Jarvis Hoyte
For nearly sixty years of distinguished work as an entrepreneur that paved the way for his extensive contributions to Barbados’ economic diversification. His notable achievements, innovation and expertise in the retail, waste management and green energy sectors and his unwavering dedication to providing employment opportunities, shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs and building resilient communities.
HONORARY ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC
A distinguished person who is not a citizen of Barbados may be conferred an honorary appointment to the Order of the Republic where it is desirable that the person be so honoured by Barbados.
1. Mrs. Phillipa Challis
In recognition of her years of dedicated service and sterling contributions to improving the lives of underserved children and those living with disabilities in Barbados through the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust and the Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre and for her outstanding charitable work with private and public sector organisations in Barbados to promote education, strengthen communities and alleviate poverty.
2. Mrs. Regine Sixt
In recognition of her renowned philanthropic work in Barbados and significant contributions to the development of children through the Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation and for the important role her global company performs in the promotion of Barbados and creating avenues for investment opportunities in Germany and other western European countries.
GOLD AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT
For meritorious service or achievement in Barbados or a community within Barbados.
1. Mr. David Anthony Farrell, Ph.D.
For his transformational leadership of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) since 2006. His stellar achievements in adopting integrated approaches to mitigating the weather, climate, water and marine challenges of the region, creating world class training programmes and establishing early warning networks across the region and for his distinguished service whilst working on a range of water resources, environmental and geological hazard and risk assessment projects in the United States of America, Canada and the Caribbean.
GOLD TRIDENT OF EXCELLENCE
For highly meritorious service or achievement in science, the arts, literature, sport, civic duties or any other endeavour worthy of national recognition.
1. Ms. Evettgianna Euretta Gibson
For her tireless and outstanding contributions to the Labour Movement in Barbados. For her dedicated service as a leading advocate for wage equity, conducting research and advancing worker and employer education that has resulted in many improvements in workers’ conditions of services especially for women in the work force.
2. Ms. Petrona Elvira Holder
For over four decades of sterling contribution as an educator, principal and community development practitioner. For her dedication to providing quality education for students whilst involving parents in the learning process and Parent Teacher Associations.
3. Dr. William Frederick Huey
For 60 years of outstanding service as a veterinarian dedicated to the care of animals. For his excellent achievements as a founding member of the Barbados Veterinary Association and tireless work with the Barbados RSPCA to improve animal health and welfare, provide quality and compassionate services for companion animals, farm animals and horses and assisting in the control of outbreaks of Swine Fever and New Castle Disease in Barbados.
4. Mr. Richard Anthony Mayers, J.P.
In recognition of his chartable work with the Barbados Red Cross, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Barbados Cancer Society and the Dyslexia and the Down Syndrome communities and sterling contributions to humanitarian causes, providing educational opportunities and improving the quality of life of persons living in in the rural communities in St. Andrew and St. Philip.
5. Mrs. Cecily Veronica Spencer-Cross
In recognition of her fifty plus years of commitment and dedicated service to the development of Theatre Arts in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. For her achievements as an acclaimed award-winning actress, educator, director, producer, administrator and theatre coach who is positively impacting the cultural landscape of Barbados and the diaspora.
SILVER TRIDENT OF EXCELLENCE
For highly meritorious service or achievement in science, the arts, literature, sport, civic duties or any other endeavour worthy of national recognition.
1. Mr. Antonio Ricardo Daniel
For his contribution to the development of Barbados’ indigenous sport – Road tennis. For his stellar representation of Barbados in Road Tennis over the past 38 years at the national level. For his tireless dedication to attract new players and raising the profile of the sport in Barbados.
2. Mr. Stephen Anthony Lashley
For his artistic excellence and outstanding contribution to the performing art. His achievements in bringing global recognition to Barbados and honouring his roots through his inspiring musical journey as member of KC & The Sunshine Band and performing with iconic artists such as Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones, Kymani Marley, and Taylor Dayne, Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge, Tavares, Gloria Gaynor, and The Trammps.
3. Ms. Phyllis Anne Murrell
For her lifelong outstanding contributions to the provision of Nursing and Health Care in Barbados. For her dedicated services as a Staff Nurse, Field Educator at the Barbados Family Planning, Medical Representative with a major private sector company in Barbados and Chief Public Health Nurse and since retirement, her continued commitment to volunteerism and civic duties.
4. Mr. Walter Dacosta Phillips, J.P.
For his distinguished career as an educator, notably in the teaching of Mathematics and as a publisher of several globally accepted textbooks on the Common Entrance Mathematics Examination. For his long and dedicated service of over fifty-six years of tutoring hundreds of primary school students in Mathematics, English, Grammar, and Composition and for the past 44 years preparing numerous secondary school students for CSEC examinations in Mathematics.
5. Mr. Adzil Irad Stuart, J.P.
For his artistic expression, creativity and sterling contribution to the advancement of the performing arts, locally, regionally and internationally. For twenty-nine years of dedicated service to the Community Independence Secretariat, its flagship production “Spirit of the Nation” and the development of the Parish Ambassadors of Barbados. For his unswerving commitment to national development with a focus on empowerment of youth and marginalized persons in communities across Barbados.
BARBADOS SERVICE STAR
For meritorious work in the public, fire, military, police, prison or other protective services or in any other similar field of endeavour.
1. Mr. Elson Jerome Davis, J.P.
For his outstanding contribution to youth and community development in Barbados. For his advocacy and dedicated service to non-governmental organisations and civil society voluntary groups that are committed to youth empowerment, building strong communities, maintaining valued traditions and inculcating appropriate morals and values.
2. Mrs. Maureen Susan Harris
For her commitment to uplifting her community, her philanthropy and her selfless dedication to supporting children and the needy in the parish of St. James.
3. Mrs. Jennifer McDonald King
For her sterling contribution to Athletics and Sports Administration in Barbados with a focus on Special Olympics. For her outstanding representation of Barbados on the first West Indies Netball team to Eastbourne, England, in Singapore in i963 in the Golden Oldies as well as in international competitions in Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon, Scotland and South Africa among other countries.
4. Mr. Victor Cornel Knight, J.P.
For his achievements as a cricket administration, philanthropist who supports several charitable causes and his contributions as a businessman who has leveraged his specialized skills as an experienced Locksmith to provide services for established companies and train persons across the region as technicians.
5. Ms. Fay Shirnill Lucas, J.P.
For her contribution to sport, tourism and hospitality industries in Barbados. For over forty years of dedicated service in the tourism industry providing high quality customer service. For her stellar representation of Barbados in sport of Hockey.
6. Reverend Angela Delores Phillips, J.P.
For her commitment to community work in the parish of Christ Church, assisting the poor and needy and for her tirelessly service to various church organisations to improve the ministry and its physical structures.
7. Mr. Joseph Anthony Riley, J.P.
For his dedication to community work and community development from the early age of 14 years and his sterling contribution to the advancement of sporting activity in the rural parish of St. Joseph.
BARBADOS SERVICE MEDAL
For meritorious work in the public, fire, military, police, prison or other protective services or in any other similar field of endeavour.
1. Ms. Maureen Burgess-Thornhill, J.P.
For her philanthropy, voluntarism, dedicated community service and contributions to nation building.
2. Mr. Wesley Athelbert Chandler
For his outstanding advocacy and social activism.
3. Ms. Diana Yvette Drakes
For her dedicated service to the performance of civic duties and engaging in community-building activities and the care of children in her urban community.
4. Mr. Michael Duval Grant
For his long and dedicated service to the youth in the Black Rock community that has spanned over fifty-three years. For his advocacy, volunteerism and philanthropy.
5. Bishop Clement St. Clair Howell, J.P.
For his outstanding contribution and dedication to the care of the vulnerable persons in the Black Rock Community spanning more than 36 years. His achievement with infrastructure development, the Mount Zion Meals-on-Wheels programme and community outreach initiatives.
6. Ms. Barbara Hunte
For her unswerving commitment and use of her experience to guide and assist young people and selfless use of her business skills and resources to develop the Pineland community.
7. Mr. Easton McDonald Layne
For his contribution to the development of sport and the Paradise Football Club in 1978. For his dedication and commitment to training and motivating young people to make a positive difference in their lives.
BARBADOS BRAVERY MEDAL
For acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
1. Mr. Trevor Anthony Haynes
For placing himself at risk while preventing extreme loss of property and loss of life, from a house fire in Bellefield, Black Rock, St. Michael.
2. Mr. Dwayne Andre Gladstone Pollard
For placing himself at risk while preventing loss of four lives from drowning in the waters off Holetown, Barbados.