In Memory Of Sir Lynden Pindling




PHOTOS BY PETER RAMSAY COURTESY OF B.I.S.

Pic1: mourning crowds Pic2: summer heat Pic3: rooftop viewers Pic4: marching bands
Pic5: cortege Pic6: church Pic7: Lady Pindling Pic8: Pallbearers
Pic9: Dignity Pic10: mourners Pic11: company Pic12: company 2
Pic13: foulkes Pic14: team Pic15: generations Pic16: Salute
Pic17: flag drape Pic18: Governor's leave    

 





Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Nassau on the route of the military march and procession which bore the body of Sir Lynden Pindling from the House of Assembly to the Church of God of Prophecy on East Street for his funeral service Monday 4 September, 2000.
                                        

 

People braved Nassau's summer heat in the nineties, standing by the side of the road for hours - most for the entire day. The crowds began arriving early in the morning for the 10 o'clock start of the procession and did not leave until the end of Sir Lynden's interment almost eight hours later.

The sides of the road were so crowded with onlookers that Police eventually gave up trying to contain the crowd and allowed people to spill into the road. The orderly mourners made way for the procession as it passed, some taking to rooftops for a better vantage point. Many tens of thousands more watched television coverage and listened to live radio.

 

 

PLP Leader Perry Christie is shown accompanying Sir Lynden's cortege during the funeral procession. At right is Prime Minister Ingraham and various members of the Cabinet.



The procession was led by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and included a phalanx of Police outriders, a Police honour guard, the band; a Royal Bahamas Defence Force honour guard, the funeral cortege; Parliamentarians present and former, members of the Judiciary, Sir Lynden's family in limousines, honour guards from the various uniformed services; various groups of Freemasons and thousands of members of the general public bringing up the rear. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force band and the Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders Band were also on the march.


The Church of God of Prophecy on East Street was packed to capacity for the funeral.


Lady Pindling, escorted into the church by her second son, Leslie.



Sir Lynden's coffin is borne into the church by pallbearers from the country's uniformed services.

   

Lady Pindling wore no veil and remained appreciative but stoic throughout the difficult day.


The congregation of mourners included mourning-coated former Governors-General Sir Clifford Darling (left) and Sir Gerald Cash (right). Member of Parliament Lester Turnquest is shown at extreme left.


One effect of Sir Lynden's death has been to cast an unusual sense of political tolerance and calm upon The Bahamas. This was reflected in some of the church pews. From left (excluding uniformed officers at back) is former Attorney-General Sean McWeeney, former PLP candidates Alfred and Albert Gray (back) former PLP Government Ministers Paul Adderley, Sir Clement Maynard, Peter Bethel and Kendal Nottage and former UBP Minister Basil Kelly. Just out of the picture to the right was former UBP candidate Norman Solomon.



This photograph shows in profile from front PLP Leader Perry Christie and Government Ministers Tommy Turnquest (partially hidden) Ronnie Knowles, Dion Foulkes and Carl Bethel.



Many of the spectators, regardless of political affiliations, proudly wore commemorative Sir Lynden t-shirts.

Among the mourners were members of the team which helped Sir Lynden achieve his party's vision for the modern Bahamas. From back left Philip Smith, former MP; Marvin Pinder, former Minister (partially hidden); George Weech; Neville Wisdom, Philip 'Brave' Davis, Vincent Peet; Leslie Miller; and at front from left Hon. George Smith, Hon. Darrell Rolle and Hon. A. Loftus Roker.

Sir Lynden's son Lynden Obafemi (standing) and grandson, Lynden II at podium were both among those who paid tribute to the fallen National Hero during the 5-hour funeral service.

 



The Royal Bahamas Police Force Rifle Squad which fired the 21-gun salute.

After Sir Lynden's interment, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham presented Lady Pindling with the flag in which Sir Lynden's coffin had been draped.


Governor-General Sir Orville Turnquest, a lifelong personal friend of the Pindlings, takes his leave of Lady Pindling after the funeral.