The flag-draped casket inside a packed Kingstown Methodist Church. (iWN photo)
Former Governor-General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne was buried in Kingstown on Wednesday after a funeral service at the Methodist Church in the city.
Before the funeral service and interment, he lay in state at the House of Assembly Chambers in Kingstown.
Former Governor-General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne speaks at the swearing-in of his successor, Susan Dougan at Government House on Aug. 1, 2019. This was his last officail appearance in public. (iWN photo)
Sir Frederick, a cardiologist, was St.
Vincent and the Grenadines’ longest-serving governor-general, his tenure
lasting from September 2002 to July 2019.
He died at his home on Jan. 23, at age
83.
Before his death, he arranged several elements
of his funeral, including the type of coffin he wanted and the preacher who
would deliver the homily.
Here are some of the moments we captured at the funeral.
A House of Assembly staff member, right, turns away a woman, saying she was not “properly attired” to pay respects to Sir Frederick as he lay in state in the assembly chambers. And two journalists were similarly turned away for the same reason, although no dress code for entry to the assembly chamber had been announced ahead of the funeral (iWN photo)Marcus Ballantyne, left, and his brother, James Walker-Ballantyne, two of Sir Frederick’s son’s arrive at the House of Assembly to pay respects to their father as his body lay in State. (iWN photo)Opposition Leader Godwin Friday, in sunglasses, and his wife, Katherine Ave Friday greet Sir Frederick’s son’s Marcus Ballantyne and James Walker- Ballantyne outside the House of Assembly as Sir Frederick’s body lay in state on Wednesday. Also in the photo are Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock, centre, and an unidentified person. (iWN photo)Members of the public queue to pay respects to Sir Frederick as he lay in state in the assembly chamber. (iWN photo)Leader of the SVG Green Party, Ivan O’Neal, a military veteran, wears his medals as he attended the public viewing of Sir Frederick’s body. (iWN photo)Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, second left, Opposition Leader Godwin Friday, and Friday’s wife Katherine share a light moment as the procession prepares to leave the House of Assembly for the funeral service at the Kingstown Methodist Church. (iWN photo)Members of the public look on as police officers, with their arms turned backward, as a mark of respect, prepare to lead the funeral procession from the House of Assembly to the Kingstown Methodist Church for the funeral service.(iWN photo)A strong showing from the Scout Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The governor-general of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is also the nation’s chief scout. (iWN photo)Persons take advantage of the elevation of an upper floor to view the procession. (iWN photo)A large screen mounted outside the Kingstown Methodist Church allowed mourners to follow the funeral service proceedings. (iWN photo)Mourners, including Sir Frederick’s sons, Marcus and James, at the funeral service. (iWN photo)Methodist preacher Monty Maule, a former speaker of the House of Assembly, delivered the sermon, telling mourners that Sir Frederick had asked him to do so more than a year before he died and had cautioned him not to be too long. (iWN photo)Mourners sit under a tent outside the Kingstown Methodist Church and follow the service via a live video feed. (iWN photo)The flag-draped casket inside a packed Kingstown Methodist Church. (iWN photo)The diamonds of the National Flag, in their distinctive “V” formation, come into view as Sir Frederick’s casket leaves the Kingstown Methodist Church after the funeral service. (iWN photo)A police officer wipes raindrops from his wing mirror as he leads the procession from the church to the cemetery. (iWN photo)The drum major, with the maze covered in black, representing mourning, leads police officers, scouts, and members of the public in the funeral procession. (iWN photo)
Sir Frederick was buried at the Kingstown Cemetery in a tiled tomb, one of two built when the state funeral of Sir Vincent Beache, a former minister of national security, was held in August 2019. (iWN photo)Mourner jostle for position in the hope of getting a glimpse of the breadfruit board casket in which the former head of state was buried. (iWN photo)Sir Frederick’s casket is carried to his tomb. (iWN photo)Funeral home workers and officials interact in preparation for the interment at the cemetery. (iWN photo)Persons at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, which borders the cemetery, benefit from the elevation of the view from an upper floor balcony. (iWN photo)Police officers fold the flag with which Sir Frederick’s casket was draped. (iWN photo)The beautifully constructed breadfruit board casket was built, in keeping with Sir Frederick’s wishes, by his long-time friend, Oscar Cadogan, a carpenter, and the joiner’s son, Clous Cadogan. The Rose Place artisans used breadfruit wood that had been cured for 15 years. (iWN photo)Commissioner of Police Colin John salutes as the casket is lowered in the tomb and buglers, not shown, play the “last post” at the interment. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves is at left. (iWN photo)Governor-General Susan Dougan presents the now-folded flag with which Sir Frederick’s casket was draped to his son, Adam. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves is at left. (iWN photo)Sir Frederick’s children and other relatives toss roses into his tomb before it is sealed. (iWN photo)Funeral home workers apply silicone as part of the sealing of the tomb. (iWN photo)Governor-General Susan Dougan lays the first wreath on Sir Frederick’s tomb. (iWN photo)Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves lays a wreath on Sir Frederick’s tomb. (iWN photo)High Court judge, Justice Brian Cottle lays a wreath on Sir Frederick’s tomb. (iWN photo)Speaker of the House of Assembly Jomo Thomas lays a wreath on Sir Frederick’s tomb. (iWN photo)Clerk of the House of Assembly, Nicole Herbert lays a wreath on Sir Frederick’s tomb. (iWN photo)Minister of Health, Senator Luke Browne kneels as he lays a wreath on Sir Frederick’s tomb. (iWN photo)Sir Frederick’s daughter, Melissa Ballantyne lays a wreath on his tomb. (iWN photo)Sir Frederick’s son, Marcus Ballantyne, lays a wreath on his tomb. (iWN photo)Sir Frederick’s son, James Walker-Ballantyne lays a wreath on his tomb. (iWN photo)Sir Frederick’s daughter, Lauren McIntosh lays a wreath on his tomb. (iWN photo)
May his soul rest in peace and let perpetual shine on him.