Young PC Robert "Bob" Strickland
After publishing the recent list of ExPo Golden Oldies (CLICK HERE to view it on our ExPo website) we received an email from our old friend and colleague, Robert “Bob” Strickland, pointing out that he and several of his fellow Barbadian recruits in the first intake of recruits from the Caribbean back in February 1966, were missing from the list, including Bob.
Young PC Ralph Sealy
Young PC Erskine Warner
Young PC Anthony "Tony" Timothy
To the best of his knowledge the following guys are still with us and need to be added to our list. They are Bob, of course, who is very much alive and now residing in Metro Atlanta; Ralph Sealy who is in Philadelphia; Erskine Warner (brother to Archibald Warner), who the last Bob heard was living in Florida; and Tony Timothy who is either in Barbados or Bermuda. Bob added, ‘"I am quite sure we are all retired and in our 80s, and speaking for myself, am grateful for the 4 years I spent as a member of the Bermuda Police Service. I do keep up with the Bermuda obituaries and always feel a sense of loss for those with whom I served. Let me feel that I am gone but not forgotten!
Bob has also written to say,"You don't know how much I appreciate what you do. Because of you and your organization (and website), I am able to keep up with members of the Police Department, many I haven't seen in over 53 years. It is interesting to see folks I knew in their youth now as matured individuals. I think I spend more time looking at the names of those who have left us. May they rest in peace.
It was great to hear from Bob and he’s promised to write in more detail about his life since leaving ithe Island. Bob, please include some of your reminiscences of your time here in Bermuda.
For anyone not familiar with our website we published an extensive article about Orson Daisley at the time of his 75th birthday. CLICK HERE to view the article.
These three Bajans became career police officers in Bermuda
(l-r) Inspector John McConnie, Chief Inspector Vendal Bridgeman,
and Inspector Orson Daisley
We also published an article “Bajans celebrate 50th Anniversary” in 2016 when four of the graduates of the 1966 Training Course #7 got together in Bermuda to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their arrival. They were John McConnie, Orson Daisley, Vendal Bridgeman and Ralph Sealy, with Orson travelling here from his home in Barbados, and Ralph Sealy and his wife, Jennifer, who flew here from their home in Willow Grove, Philadelphia. CLICK HERE to view the 50th Anniversary article on our website.
Basic Training Course #7 - May 1966
Top Row (l-r) Anthony Timothy, Ralph Sealy, Clyde "Tango" Burgess,
Algernon "John" McConnie, Raymond Sousa
Middle Row - Erskine Warner, Steven Dean (Cadet), Orson Daisley,
Robert Strickland, Gloria Jean Trott, Vendal Bridgeman
June Dickenson, Chief Insp. Roy Chandler, COP George Robins,
Sgt John Cafferky, Gertrude Cannonier
In addition to the Barbados contingent on Course #7 there were 5 Bermudians recruits - Clyde “Tango” Burgess, Gertie (Cannonier) Barker, Gloria Jean Trott, Ray Sousa who is now living out in the "wilds" of Australia, and June Dickinson who is no longer with us having passed some years ago.
“Tango” is still active, still looks super fit and is driving taxi. Gertie is also still active and is very involved in the activities of her multi-talented grandchildren. Haven’t seen Gloria Jean for a while and hope she views this article and brings us up-to-date on how she's doing these days.
Ray is a regular contributor to our ExPo website. CLICK HERE to view his lifestory in our “Then and Now” column. Ray, we need some input on your recollection of those magic days in 1966!
We would love to hear from all of the members of Course #7 who are still with us about where you are and what youlre doing these days,