Republic day was officially celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago on September 24th. However, we continue to remember and profile the men and women who have helped shaped the nation. Remembering Sir Ellis Clarke Sir Ellis Emmanuel Innocent Clarke, an only child, was born on December 28, 1917 into a middle class family from Belmont. He received his high school education at St Mary’s where he won an island scholarship in mathematics. He pursued his tertiary education at London University where he obtained his LLB (Bachelor of Law degree). He was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn, London in 1941. Not long after his return to Trinidad & Tobago, Ellis Clarke held several posts in the Colonial Government : Solicitor General, Deputy Colonial Secretary, Attorney General and Constitutional Adviser to the Cabinet. After the attainment of Independence, Ellis Clarke became a foreign diplomat, holding numerous posts between 1962-1976, sometimes simultaneously, including Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He was an ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago’s to the US and Mexico. He was also Trinidad and Tobago’s Representative on the Council of the Organisation of the American States. He also held the post of Chairman of BWIA from 1968-1973. He was appointed Governor General by Her Majesty the Queen of England in 1972 and assumed duties on January 31st, 1973. Upon proclamation of Republican status on September, 1976, the post of Governor General became obsolete. Following a meeting of the Electoral College, as provided by the Constitution, Ellis Clarke was elected an unopposed as President, becoming the 1st President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago—an office he held until 1987. Ellis Clarke was involved in the draft Constitution, culminating in his attendance at Marlborough House Conference for May 28 to June 8, 1962. He was bestowed the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1960 and made Knight Bachelor (Kt Bachelor) in 1963. He was one of the first to be awarded this country’s then highest honour, the Trinity Cross (now known as the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) in 1969. He was married to Lady Ermyntrude Clarke (1921-2002) for almost 50 years. They had 3 children : Peter Ellis Clarke, Margaret-Ann and Richard(who died as a young child). Sir Ellis was one of six experts worldwide asked to submit reports to Australia’s Republic Advisory Committee in 1993 detailing his country’s experience in moving from constitutional monarchy to a republic. On November 24,2010, Clarke suffered a massive stroke. He died on December 30, 2010, two days after his 93rd birthday. Sir Ellis was laid to rest on January 7, 2011. A private funeral was held at the Church of Assumption on Maraval Road in Port-of Spain. Following the private funeral, a State Funeral was held at the National Academy for Performing Arts Building. A procession through Port-of Spain followed the service. Sir Ellis’ coffin, draped in a Trinidad & Tobago flag, was set atop a cannon and pulled by a military vehicle. The procession concluded at the Laperouse Cemetery, where he was interred.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:19:54 +0000
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