To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.

JOSEPH GOMEZ and his wife CAROLINE GWENDELINE FRANCO Joseph Gomez was my grandmother Elsie's brother, the eldest son of Joseph Gomez and Christina Pereira . He was born on 22 July 1891 at their home in Belmont, Laventille, Trinidad. Joseph married Caroline on 10 August 1916 in her hometown of St. George's, Grenada. Caroline, a Grenadian, was born on 10 October 1894, the daughter of John Franco and Clementine Pace. Her father John Franco was a well-established wine merchant in Grenada, considered one of the wealthiest businessmen there at the time. Just two months before their marriage, Joseph had performed the duties of bestman at his sister Audrey's wedding in Trinidad, as she had married Caroline's brother Louis Franco. Audrey settled down to married life in her husband's Grenada, while Joseph and his Grenadian bride Caroline made their home in Trinidad. This photo of Joseph and Caroline was sent by Joseph's mother Christina (Pereira) Gomez to his brother George Gomez who was at the time in India. George had enlisted to serve in World War I and left Trinidad in 1916, the same year as his brother Joseph and sister Audrey were married. In October 1922, Joe was working at T. Geddes Grant Ltd., as mentioned in Audrey's death announcement in the newspaper. By 1922, Joseph and Caroline were living at 33 Victoria Square, Port of Spain. We know this because of a newspaper article about the funeral of Joseph's grandmother Antonia Pereira. “The funeral took place at 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon from the residence of Mr. Joseph Gomez at No. 33 Victoria Square to Lapeyrouse Cemetery.” Joseph was one of the bearers. When Joe's mother Christina died on 13 July 1949 the newspaper article about her funeral mentioned that wreaths were received from The Directors and Staff of T. Geddes Grant Ltd, and from Mr. and Mrs. Willard Grant - suggesting that Joe was still employed by that firm in 1949 when he was fifty-eight years old. In 2012 when I visited Trinidad, the old Gomez home was still there. The number 33 on the front porch made it easily identifiable and strangely exuded a cozy warmth to me. How many tales those walls could tell! Between 1918 and 1931 Joseph and Caroline had had nine chidren - four daughters and three sons. One of them, Peter, died when he was only four years old - we're not yet sure what happened, but how sad it must have been. All the others grew up to be married and have children, some of whom left the shores of Trinidad and settled in abroad. Joseph with his eldest son Joseph Darrell (Darrell) Gomez circa 1921 Joseph and Caroline (Franco) Gomez and their family - 1948 Back l/r: Darrel Gomez, Elmo Flintom, Jean (Gomez) Flintom, John Boyce, Barbara (Gomez) Boyce, Bill Adams, Jocelyn (Gomez) Adams, George Dornier Gomez Middle: Caroline (Franco) Gomez, Grandma Christina (Pereira) Gomez, Joseph Gomez Children: Mary Adams, Margaret Boyce, Nancy Boyce, Paul Boyce, Pat Boyce, Donald Boyce To the rest of the family, they were affectionately known as Uncle Joe and Aunt Carrie. Uncle Joe passed away in 1958 when he was 66, but Aunt Carrie lived to the ripe old age of ninety. Visit Uncle Joe's and Aunt Carrie's gravesites by clicking on their names here: Joseph and Caroline

June, too soon October, all over? Written on 25 October, 1989 by my father, Andrew D. Sheppard (Transcribed from personal family memorabilia) Hugo's path in the Caribbean - September 1989 We should not wait to give thanks to God for all of his blessings by going to church on Saturday or Sunday. We should do it now. Almighty God in His Divine Mercy has spared the inhabitants of this blessed land of Barbados, while our island neighbours have received the brunt of the powers of two of the most devastating hurricanes in known history - but Barbados has been spared. Can anyone really imagine where we would be today if Hugo had hit us like it did Montserrat ? Population 13,000 versus our 250,000, plus an undetermined number of visitors. Add to this our pretty little and big houses, hotels, smart condominiums, shopping centres and malls, our water and electricity supplies, telephones, fax, telex and our inadequate drainage - all of these things taken for granted. And in one fell swoop all could have disappeared. All of our top soil would have been washed away, putting an end to our sugar and other crops. Most of our tourist accommodations would have been flattened and casualties would have been enormous. Recovery would have cost billions of dollars and we could have lost our largest dollar-earner, the visitor or tourist, who might have gone elsewhere and liked it as well or better than Barbados. But what do we do? We complain and quarrel and bad-talk our neighbours. We have exhibited a total lack of care for those less fortunate than ourselves, with few exceptions. Apart from the traditional sources of organised charity, the general public of Barbados has not demonstrated real concern for our poor deprived and desolate fellow human beings. It was pathetic. Poor Doug Hoyte and his team of dedicated volunteer helpers and entertainers did their best. They set a goal of $200,000 and fell short of pledges by $85,000, less than the cost of a Crown or Mercedes car. So we ride off into the night in our air-conditioned chariots, numbed by the sounds of our stereos. Too bad for you, Montserrat, Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Thomas. Instead of thanksgiving, our sense of gratitude has turned to our very considerable concern about the serious spate of automobile accidents on our roads and highways. This carnage has to stop. The police presence on our roads must increase and our drivers must be made to feel more responsible. All of this reflects a lack of care for other human beings. But then again, most vehicles being driven today are death traps. Their design and construction are deplorable and generally offer no protection for their occupants. And, their cost is prohibitive. Illegal drugs provide the media with endless information. This scourge on our society appears to be gaining ground despite the anti-drug propaganda and the efforts of our efficient police and security forces. The addicts, pushers and suppliers just do not care. The suppliers and traffickers beome richer and are not ashamed to exhibit their rapidly earned wealth with extravagance in housing and transportation. Lack of respect for authority has become obvious in all areas of human relationships, but particularly among the guardians of the law, who should set the example for others to follow. When policemen can boo their Deputy Prime Minister at a meeting to which he was invited. When the Governor General's mobile escort and mounted police refused to report for duty at the Independence Day Parade and get away scot-free because they reported "sick". When Magistrates' lives are threatened and resignation and retirement are the answers. When a school teacher can walk the streets of Bridgetown telling everyone what a horrible place Lodge School is because he feels peeved that his status as a teacher is unclear. And what about the behaviour of school children in the streets, buses and other public places? There was a time when school children wore their uniforms with pride and there was "Esprit de Corps". Not anymore. And now a 13 year old boy shoots a 14 year fellow student in his nose during school hours. Common courtesy is almost a thing of the past. Too much materialism, and now, too little money to keep up the life style. The prospect is frightening. Our unemployment is growing and will become worse with the recession in our economy. Let us be sensible and do not allow the obvious evils which have permeated our society to grow, but rather curb and stop the nefarious practices of the selfish few who are ruining our happy and prosperous future. This is an appeal to the heads of all religious bodies to get together now and arrange an Ecumenical Prayer Meeting at the Garrison or the Stadium and invite and exhort all Christians and other residents of different religious persuasions to come and pray together. To thank God for our precious lives and all the good things that we enjoy and take for granted. By the way, CNN news just showed us an angry storm and potential hurricane headed for Bermuda and its thriving tourist industry. And poor San Francisco is expecting another bad earth quake within two weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday 25th October 1989 - 7.00 a.m. Think. Andrew Sheppard

Charles Albert (Bertie) Sheppard and his wife Lena Joyce de Sousa Bertie Sheppard - Our Brother Written by my father, Andrew Sheppard Bertie was born in Trinidad on 6th August 1914 and passed away in Grenada at the St. George’s Hospital shortly after 1.00 p.m. on Saturday 13th August, 1988. He was baptized in the Scottish Presbyterian religion, at the St. Ann’s Church of Scotland in Port of Spain, Trinidad. His name was Charles Albert Sheppard. He was the fifth child and the second son of Charles Sebastian Theodore Sheppard and Elsie Mabel née Gomez of Trinidad. I am the last (born the tenth child) of the male sex of a family of thirteen children. Our youngest brother, Arthur, died as a baby in 1928. At that time, there were six boys and six girls. Our father died in 1931 at the young age of 45. Bertie grew up with a strong Christian upbringing and was educated at Queen’s Royal College in Port of Spain, where he proved a person of exceptional ability and dedication to purpose and principle. He gained the Senior Cambridge School Certificate at the very young age of 16. Of necessity, Bertie had to seek gainful employment so as to supplement the family treasure, which was depleted after the premature death of our father. At that time, only two of the twelve children were working. Bertie was employed at one of the largest companies with diverse interests - George F. Huggins & Co. Ltd., which was founded by a young entrepreneur from St. Vincent. After graduating from Office Boy, Bertie was selected for the Stevedoring Department of Huggins & Company, which ran the largest shipping agencies, including Canadian National Steamships among several other important lines. Bertie remained faithful and loyal to his employers from 1931 until 1961 when he was promoted from Head of the Stevedoring Department to become Manager and Managing Director of George F. Huggins & Co. Ltd., of St. Georges, Grenada, from which company he retired, to continue living in Grenada, in 1964. Bertie was employed with Huggins for a period of thirty-three years of unbroken and dedicated service. Bertie was married to a beautiful lady when she was quite young. She was Joyce, daughter of Robert and Alice de Sousa. It was love at first sight and the couple have lived a life of bliss, love, understanding and caring from 1939, when they were married at the Grey Friars Church of Scotland in Port of Spain. They were both Presbyterians and they brought up their three children of two boys and one girl in Trinidad with a similar religious persuasion. In November 1988, they would have been married for 49 years.* As a young man growing up in Port of Spain was not easy for ambitious Bertie, whose income was mainly contributed to the cost of raising a large family of mother, brothers and sisters of school age, but Bertie did it with flair. He was always a stylish person, from boyhood. The way he spoke and carried himself under all circumstances indicated that he was a gentleman of the highest order. With scant resources and good taste, Bertie was assimilated into the society of Trinidad with ease. He was a natural sportsman. At school he played football and cricket and afterwards became a very good hockey player. He also loved tennis. Best of all though, was his love of the sea. He loved fishing, rowing and mostly, sailing. With the help of his good friends, Eddie Symonds, Jimmy Ingles and others, he built a beautiful yacht of the “Snipe” class which won many races and provided all of us with a great deal of pleasure. When the Trinidad Volunteers required young men for military training, Bertie volunteered and rose to the rank of Corporal in the Second or Reserve Battalion of the Infantry. Bertie and Joyce lived a happy, simple life and their interests were similar. They did the best they could for their children. Richard was champion racing cyclist of Trinidad for years until he was involved in a bad accident, which caused him, his parents, family and friends a great deal of grief, pain and expense. Bertie sent him to England for expert medical attention. Richard is now one of the best and most experienced oil drilling supervisors to be found anywhere. He is married to the former Elizabeth Nothnagel and has three children, two girls and a boy. Kathleen, a beauty, after attaining her School Certificate in Trinidad, was sent to Denson Secretarial College in England, where she graduated with first class honours. Kathleen was married to Bernard D'Abreu of Trinidad, but poor Bernard died soon after the birth of their third daughter. She eventually married Denis Henry, a lawyer and Queen’s Counsel, of Grenada, who later became Sir Denis Henry. They lived in Grenada where the three girls of the first marriage were joined by two boys of the second marriage. This period was probably one of the happiest for Bertie and Joyce. They loved their daughter and grandchildren and the feeling was mutual. when Sir Denis and Lady Henry decided to go to England to reside, it was quite a blow to Bertie and Joyce who were now left without any relatives in Grenada. They turned to gardening - his second love. Brian lives in Trinidad and is the Managing Director of a successful finance company - Caribbean Finance Co. Ltd. He is married to the former Diana Mouttet and they have two children. Therefore, Bertie and Joyce have a total of ten grandchildren. Their beautiful home is at L'anse Aux Epines. When Bertie and Joyce and their children lived in St. Augustine in Trinidad, their beautiful home in Carmody Road, which stood on an acre of fruit-bearing land, was the social and athletic centre of the district. Young and old congregated there to socialize, plan and discuss the interests of the day, which were mainly sporting activities. Bertie was always the Chairman, offering criticism and advice when required or requested. He loved and supported winners but tried his best to help the losers or under-dogs. He was an extremely kind person, whose charity was well known. We will never know how many unfortunate people he has assisted in a variety of ways. Bertie joined the Masonic Lodge as a very young man and remained a member of the Prince of Wales Lodge in Trinidad until his passing. He was also a member of the Lodge in St. Georges, Grenada from the time of his transfer to Grenada up to the 13th August, 1988. He was an excellent ritualist and a very successful Master on several occasions. He attained most of the highest degrees in Free Masonry and was always regarded as a man of sterling character. He loved to tease young people and so they loved him in return. His presence was a stimulant to otherwise dull company. Bertie had a special way about him. Everyone who knew him respected him. He turned Huggins in Grenada from a rather dull and losing operation into a viable, vibrant Company with a sensible variety of interesting innovations, including a dress shop and automobile agency. Bertie’s variety of interests were legend. He was an active community worker and helped organizations such as the Family Planning Council and the School for the Deaf, among several others. He was a member of the Rotary Club and the St. George’s Club. I recently had the pleasure and privilege of meeting the Prime Minister of Grenada and told him I was Bertie Sheppard’s brother and asked him if he knew Bertie, to which he replied: “You are Bertie’s brother? Who does not know Bertie? He’s a great fellow. When last have you seen him or been to Grenada? Please come over and often. You are Bertie’s brother - most welcome!” This describes our dearly beloved brother Bertie, who has suffered silently for so long without complaining. This gracious, kind, caring and loving gentleman, father and grandfather and friend of so many adoring people, will be sorely missed by all who knew him - including his brothers and sisters. God, please take him into your loving arms and take care of him forever. This and much, much more from your baby brother, who loved you and admired you very much. Goodbye, dear Bertie. To Joyce , his faithful and loyal widow and his children - Love and Peace. Andrew Sheppard Barbados Sunday 14th August, 1988 - 4.10 a.m. * (Note: In fact, they would have had their 50th Wedding Anniversary three months later) Bertie and Joyce are grandparents of well known Trinidad soprano Wendy Sheppard.

Meindert van der Meulen and Valerie Sheppard Little Bentley, Barbados - 27 July 2013 I'm Valerie, a Trini-born Sheppard, now the eldest of my family. My father, Andrew Sheppard , was the tenth child in a family of thirteen children. From my early memories of family life with my dad, Barbadian-born mother Betty and my six siblings I remember evenings in our drawing-room hearing him relate with love, humour and passion, stories about his boy days and the joys and challenges of growing up in a large family at their Richmond Street home in Port- of-Spain. I was a child in the fifties, there was no TV in the West Indies yet, certainly no computers but always music, conversations and stories. I remember and treasure his stories about the old times, many of them left behind for us in his beautiful handwriting. Family means the world to me, and I have inherited my father's love for writing and for telling the stories. In our younger days, we seem not to have time nor perhaps enough interest to really find out about our families. I mean, really find out. I look back now and wish I had asked all the questions I want to ask now, from all those beloved family members whom I knew and loved so well, but who have now passed on. We tend to think we'll always have them around. I wish I had taken notes, or even recorded some of the tales on tape. Now that I'm older and have finished raising my family, I find myself absorbed in knowing more about my ancestors, where they came from, how and where they lived, what are the things that helped make us, as a family, who and what we are. I feel it is important to pass these stories on to our children throughout the generations. I was blessed when someone who shares my love and appreciation for family and family history came into my life. My Dutch husband, Meindert van der Meulen, has encouraged me to pursue my passion for this, and has helped me and taught me the ins and outs of his hobby, genealogy. It's a time-consuming, precise, but very enjoyable and rewarding pastime. Together, we have worked on building our Sheppard Family Tree. To achieve this, we have contacted family members directly by email, traveled to Trinidad and spent a few days pouring through the ancient official registers lodged in the archives of the Legal Department in Port- of-Spain. We've talked with the older generation who have shared their memories and treasured family Bibles containing notes of births, marriages and deaths. We've contacted archival departments, including those of the military, in Trinidad, England and Ireland. Meindert and I have spent endless hours sifting through the data, and recording it. We have also scanned and archived the old photos. Using all these ingredients, I felt it was time to put them into a narrative to share with family members. While doing this I find myself imagining what life was like for our ancestors, without all the conveniences and technology we have nowadays. Family traditions and stories were handed down orally, and for this I'm truly grateful. Nowadays, we are able to access information like never before, and we also are able to share to family outside of our own small family circle. Over the years, Meindert's feeling for preserving and archiving special family moments drove him to film various occasions. Years later, we digitized and edited these so that they could be shared with the family. They are a reminder of the importance of appreciating the precious moments with our families. Here he is pictured in Trinidad with my eldest cousin, Joan Bodu filming for the documentary "50th Wedding Anniversary - Audrey & Don", which was filmed in Trinidad and Barbados in 1993. Click here to see all the family videos For reasons of privacy protection for living members of the family, I have not included the family tree on this site. If you would like to have more information, please email me, I'd love to hear from you. I also administer two private Facebook family groups and would love to welcome family members. See also: Friendships - Partnerships - Family Ties Archer Family Barbados J.A.K.(Tony) Archer - Babados Polo Club Descendants - BBC Radio 4 Contact me YouTube

Some Childhood Memories Growing up in the British West Indies Valerie in Ursuline Convent school uniform at "Norgate" in Barbados - 1958 The first memory I have of my Bajan grandparents, Esmée and Garnet St. Hill, was when they lived in a three-bedroom bungalow called “Norgate” on Dayrells Road, just before the corner of Navy Gardens, in the southern parish of Christ Church, Barbados. They had already sold the family home "Ypres" at the corner of 1st Avenue and Pine Road in Belleville, where my mother and all her siblings were born and raised. When they bought their new home it was called "Mins Court". Why they renamed it "Norgate" I never knew. Cousins Helen St. Hill and David Mosher believe they did that that after their visit to Canada where they stayed in Norgate, the area in which their daughters Thelma and Clem lived with their Canadian husbands and families in the fifties. My grandparents' home "Norgate" was next door to the corner house, “Macneath”. Every home in Barbados seemed to have a name of particular significance to the family who owned it. Just before my 11th birthday in September of 1958, I came over from Trinidad with my mother, as I was going to start school at the Ursuline Convent in Barbados and stay with my grandparents during term time. New uniforms, new surroundings, and a totally new way of life from what I had been accustomed to at our home in San Fernando, Trinidad. Mummy went back to Trinidad, and I settled in with Granny and Pop. I had a nice bedroom, clean and neat as a pin, cream painted furniture, a washbasin in the corner. There was a little cream-painted desk by the windows where I did my homework and wrote weekly letters to my parents in Trinidad. I loved the lined writing pads that always had glamorous screen stars on the covers. Sometimes I used blue postage pre-paid aerograms. On my bed was a blue and white candlewick bedspread. Over the bed on the wall hung a print of an angel carrying a small child over a bridge on a stormy night, a turbulent river surging below. That always fascinated me and must have made an impression as 65 years later I still vividly remember it! My first impression when I arrived in Barbados was how clean and orderly everything was. The drive from Seawell Airport along the south coast was magical as the bright turquoise sea glistened alongside the road. With the windows rolled down (no airconditioned cars in those days) you could hear the waves and smell the ocean. I remember passing a sort of billboard of a huge, colourful macaw somewhere near Oistins, I believe it was an advertisement for Doorley's Rum. I was surprised that my grandparents never closed the windows at night, they stayed wide open with the breeze blowing in, and there were no burglar bars. Granny St. Hill was a housekeeper of note. She kept an exercise book with all of the maid’s daily duties and time-table written down in her clear, rounded handwriting. There were also pages that laid out weekly and monthly duties, such as cleaning the brass, silverware, windows, polishing the mahogany furniture etc. There was a strict routine, and their house rules were “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” I was told that I was to take off my school uniform as soon as I came home from school, hang it neatly on a hanger “to air” and that I could use 3 clean shirts and one tunic per week. Navy blue tunic, white shirt, brown laced up shoes, white socks turned down to the ankle, and a navy blue beret with the school badge bearing the motto "Serviam", to be worn while out on the road. There were penalties to be paid at school if you were seen not wearing your school beret on the road! To me, it was a completely different world from my Trinidad home. Everything was routine and scheduled at my Bajan grandparents' home. I had been accustomed to more spontaneous and rather chaotic home life with my siblings (there were just three of us at the time.) Unplanned drives with my parents and dropping in unexpectedly to visit friends was normal in Trinidad. "Stay and have something to eat, nah". . . grown-ups drank and chatted, the kids played and ran wild till late. We often went to the movies with our parents - "Matinee show", with hot channa in brown paper cones bought from a vendor outside the cinema. We sometimes stopped to buy rotis from East Indian roadside vendors, watching them flip the roti skins on to the hot coalpots. Best rotis ever! Fresh hops breads from the "parlours" and Charlie's black pudding - there was none of that in this totally different Barbados world. Two islands close to each other, yet so different. Unlike in Trinidad, maids were called by their surnames only. In Trinidad, our helper was Laura, in Barbados, Granny’s maid was called Scott. Back then, household helpers were called servants. I never knew Scott's first name. I remember that Scott turned up for work each day in her morning uniform, and had to wear a green cap and apron at all times. She lived nearby so would knock off for an hour or so after serving lunch and cleaning up the kitchen, then reappear in the afternoon donning her white cap and apron, perfectly starched and laundered. Scott called me “Miss Valerie” and my grandparents were addressed as Master and Mistress. To my young Trini ears, that sounded strange and somehow quaint. In Trinidad, Mummy was Madam and Daddy was "Suh" or "Mistah Sheppad". Bajan maids also had a peculiar habit of saying “yes please” or “no please” when asked a question. That also sounded very odd to me. Never yes or no without “please” added on. Granny St. Hill kept an exercise book in which she wrote her grocery lists. The telephone table with the black rotary-dial telephone, number 7224, was next to the window in the dining room, and a mahogany cane-bottomed chair ready. There she sat and called in her grocery order from Alleyne, Arthur & Co. and was told when to expect the delivery. On the appointed day, a horn would blow at the back entrance to the house which was in a narrow alley-way on the east side of the house that connected through to Navy Gardens. "Granny, the Alleyne Arthur van is here!" I loved to watch the delivery of groceries - something I had never seen before in Trinidad. You see, my grandparents did not own a car, so that was also a huge difference. I loved to take the Route 15 bus sometimes, what a thrill that was for a little Trini girl that had never been in a bus before. Sometimes I would catch the open-sided bus and go to the Museum by the Garrison, all by myself. The bus fare was 15 cents. In Trinidad, Daddy drove a sleek iridescent green Chevy in which he took us everywhere. My grandparents at their home with Helen St. Hill, their eldest granddaughter, 1954. Scott had just brought the evening cocktails to them in the verandah at "Norgate". On the back of the photo is a Christmas message to my parents in Trinidad, written by my grandfather. On grocery delivery day, the door set in the outside wall at "Norgate" would be opened, and the Alleyne Arthur boy would bring the cardboard box with goods and set it on the red formica kitchen counter. Right next to it was the red metal kitchen scale with the brass tray and iron weights arranged in a stack, the smallest on top. There he would unpack each item, and Granny would tick it off against the bill and her list. I think sometimes she would even check the weights of, say the potatoes or sugar that came in brown paper bags! She would do the same for drugstore items, and had accounts with Knights Ltd. and Collins Ltd. in Bridgetown. I don’t recall ever seeing her write a cheque, so I guess payments were made in cash. She kept her housekeeping money in a large cigar box that had compartments. Pop used to enjoy an after-dinner cigar. Granny kept all the groceries under lock and key in the kitchen cupboards, and had a rather large bunch of keys to everything in the house that had a lock on it. Each morning, she would “put out” the ingredients for Scott to cook lunch, and lock the cupboards again. All of this was like watching a movie to me, having come from Trinidad where I went to HiLo with my mother, and often to the San Fernando markets to buy vegetables, fruit, a live chicken with its feet tied together, and big, live blue crabs for the Sunday callaloo! It also struck me that I didn’t see East Indians, Chinese, Syrians and other mixtures of those people that I had become accustomed to in Trinidad. There, the vendors would always give a little “lagniappe” when Mum bought produce. I can still smell the freshness of the chadon beni, hot red peppers and other seasonings in the San Fernando market. Mum would carry a big handmade basket for market shopping - the same one that went on picnics to Mayaro when we were children. 

 Sunday Lunch at home, 1954 - Hart Street, San Fernando, Trinidad. My parents Andrew, Betty and their children Stephen and Peter and Valerie. Another fascinating thing for me in Barbados were the hucksters that walked in the street outside selling their wares. The women who sold flying fish carried them in a wooden tray on their head, and the tray was covered with some kind of cloth to keep them clean, I suppose. Sometimes they would also be carrying a basket with fresh seasonings of thyme, marjoram, chives and hot peppers, and a small variety of vegetables. We would hear the cry “FLYING FEEEESH” - and the going price - “12 a bit” if they were plentiful. Granny would send me to run outside and stop the huckster, which I would do by clapping my hands and gesturing her that we wanted her to come to the house. She would come to the same back door, and Granny would send Scott out to buy the fish. She took an enamel bowl to place them in. Well, that was another whole new experience to watch! Unlike today when fish are bought ready to be cooked and Bajan green seasoning comes in a jar from the supermarket, these were flying fish fresh from the sea, complete with wings, scales guts and bones. Granny took great pride in preparing them herself and she had it down to a fine art. She set about scaling and boning each one with her special well-worn boning knife, and I was amazed at her dexterity as she transformed each fish into a perfectly filleted one. Not a single stray bone could dare hang around and worse yet, reach my grandfather’s plate! Next, she prepared the Bajan green seasoning from scratch, chop-chop-chopping fresh thyme, marjoram, onions and peppers on her board. The dipping in beaten eggs and home made breadcrumbs came next, then the moment in the frying pan when they became the sizzling golden brown delicacy that graced the meticulously set dinner table. She would always give me one to sample in the kitchen, piping hot, fresh out of the pan. I still think they were the best flying fish I’ve ever eaten. The "ground provisions man" came around every week in his donkey cart. We could hear the cart and donkey clanking along, and he would call out “Get ya sweet putaaatahs, eddas, yaaaams. . . “ My grandfather would open the front gate to Dayrells Road and allow him to drive his cart into the front yard. This was another thing I’d never experienced before, and had never been that close to a donkey in my life. He weighed everything on a scale that looked like the Scales of Justice on the back of his wooden cart, but smaller and rustier. He was a small, wizened fellow, and wore a felt cap and baggy clothes that were sort of khaki colored. He would hop down from the cart to sell and weigh everything, and he wore no shoes. I’ll never forget one day my grandfather said to him teasingly, “Tell me, are you a little old man or a little old woman?” He politely grinned, bowed his head and said “I'z a little ole man, please." Scott always came out to take part in the purchasing and to carry the good ‘ground provisions’ into the kitchen. That night there would be a big dish of hot mashed yam, with dollops of golden butter on it served with flying fish. Often there would be string beans and fried plantain on the side. Heaven! 
 In 1957 there was no television in Barbados yet. My grandparents had Rediffusion which broadcast daily soaps like "Portia Faces Life". My grandmother would sit in her rocking chair and listen. I loved the Saturday morning Children's Programme with Alfred Pragnell and Doris Provençal. When I was a little older I often sang on that programme. On weekends, I was allowed to walk alone through Navy Gardens, Marine Gardens to Hastings where my Lobo great-grandmother and great-aunts lived. Granny forbade me to wear shorts on the street, so I had to obey and wear a skirt. I would spend long hours on the beach and in the sea by the Ocean View hotel, sometimes with a friend. That independence and freedom at a young age was good. Nobody worried about safety back then. All I had to remember was Granny's heeding to keep to the side of the road and look up and down carefully before crossing. Granny made the best lemon-meringue pies and for special occasions she made a dessert called "Spanish Cream", also the best rum trifle. On ordinary nights, there would be red Jell-O with canned fruit set in it for dessert. I remember her making eats for the evenings she expected guests - they were little meat patties, egg sandwiches, rolled asparagus sandwiches, stuffed eggs, and prunes stuffed with peanut butter. A must were the cubes of yellow cheese with either a small cocktail onion or maraschino cherry on toothpicks stuck into a large grapefruit for serving. I don't know whether tins of peanuts were available then, but Granny would shell bags of peanuts and prepare her own delicious salted cocktail peanuts in the oven. 

 Granny St. Hill pampered and catered to her husband. When I lived with them to go to school, he was still working at Robert’s Manufacturing Co. as their Secretary/Accountant. He left early in the morning, and would be picked up and dropped by Maurice Foster who lived in nearby Rockley New Road and also worked at Roberts. Every morning, Granny would lay out his clothes on the bed. He wore white shirts with detachable collars, and those were kept in a circular tin that toffees or sweet biscuits had come in. The collars were starched stiff and sparkling white. The shirts didn’t have buttons, instead they were buttoned with little gold studs, which Granny would place in each button hole, just ready to be secured by him on the other side. She also placed his gold cuff links in the cuffs of the long sleeves. He always wore a gold fob pocket watch and suspenders. One of Scott’s duties was to clean his shoes. I also remember my grandmother making a large glass of eggnog topped with grated nutmeg, and had it ready for him when he came back home from work in the afternoon. I never remember seeing Pop do any washing up or housework - ever. He was a kite maker - he called himself a “kite-ologist” and Granny’s job was to cut and strip cloth into varying sizes for him to make the tapered tails for his kites. Pop loved plants and gardening and tending to that was his clearly established domain. They had a Cocker Spaniel dog named Freckles who had his own dog bed that looked like a miniature cradle, also painted cream like the bedroom furniture. During my time of staying with my Bajan grandparents I would fly back home by BWIA for school holidays. Mum and Dad were waiting for me at the old Piarco airport, and back home I would quickly have to adjust to not being the only child in the house! Looking back, I was very fortunate to have experienced childhood in the two very different Caribbean islands, and life with grandparents who were born in the 1890's. 
 Those were Colonial times and Barbados was decidedly more British in customs and culture than Trinidad was. The Ursuline Convent was run by nuns, many of whom were British. My early childhood upbringing taught me adaptability and gave me awareness of the importance of and respect for family, in particular for elders. Looking back, my solo visits to the Barbados Museum at 10 years old must have triggered my love for historical things, people and places. I would stare at the Penny-farthing and the huge mahogany four poster bed with the little steps. The story of the Tamarind Seed in the shape of a slave-man's head impressed me. Over the years my West Indian accent became a Trini-Baje one, and that's quite okay with me. These recollections show that children are like sponges, soaking in everything around them. Memories are subjective. These ramblings of mine are to recall a past era, one without television, smart phones or computers. To my grandchildren: I hope ValVal's memories amuse you! To be continued . . .
 May 2022

Family Videos ~ Snippets of Memories ~ Robert Sheppard and his sister Jessie, Trinidad 1993 Jessie Brash at her Piano At John and Jennifer(Gibbon) MacLean's home Trinidad, February 1989 At the home of John & Valerie Sheppard , Wareham, England, October 10, 1991 Robert Sheppard and his sister Jessie, February 23, 1993 Musical evening at O'Connor Street, Port-of-Spain Trinidad, February 23, 1993 Mother and Daughter Memories of Andrew Sheppard Filmed around 1966 My mother, Betty Sheppard in Barbados These are not professional recordings. They are unedited, so you can hear the scratchiness of the vinyl LP record. Jessie sang to an instrumental versions of the songs, and was recorded by her brother Malcolm at his home at Shine Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad - circa 1958. She was well known in her day for her beautiful voice, and often performed as soloist at weddings and other functions. (Images used are my own photos of Holland and Canada in Autumn; photos of Jessie and the Mendes family are copies of her own family collection. ) At The Gibbons, Trinidad, February 1989 St. Augustine Days , February 26 1993 Home of Patrick & Sybil Gibbon Trinidad Carnival 1993 Alan Sheppard with Spice & Company Sheppard sisters and Joan Bodu in the stands 50th Wedding Anniversary Don & Audrey, California, March 18 1993 Auntie Sybil's (DELICIOUS) Prune Ice Cream Crane Hotel, Barbados - July 25, 2013 Peter Sheppard playing the bones Barbados - July 2011 Valerie Sheppard - live recording from a television showin Barbados - December 1967 Wedding day Valerie Sheppard and Tony Archer July 16, 1966 - Barbados My youngest son Phil Archer singing "Angels" Little Bentley, Barbados. Wedding day Meindert & Valerie 27 July, 2013 Shown on September 13th, 2015 at my mother Betty's 90th birthday party. Made with love. Wedding of my daughter Ingrid Archer and Eduardo Martinez at St. James Parish Church Barbados, 1995 Loving and unforgettable father and husband - my Tony Archer - "I Will Tell Your Story" 23 March 1939 - 14 July 1984

Sheppard Family Archive Albertha Walcott Bertha - A Saint A Tribute written on 28 October, 1986 by my father, Andrew D. Sheppard (transcribed from personal family memorabilia) She was born in Barbados and died in Trinidad. Her name was Albertha Walcott and she was always known and called by the name of Bertha. I was born in Trinidad and live in Barbados. When my eyes were first opened I saw Bertha and she took care of me until I was able to fend for myself. Bertha was my nurse, my religious teacher, my strength and has been a great influence on my character. Bertha, you see, grew up from childhood with my family in Trinidad. She arrived in that beautiful but impoverished island with her mother, who died, and Bertha was adopted by my father and mother. Yes, she was brought into a family which grew from two to twelve children with predictable regularity. Bertha was included in the family, but true to her Barbadian upbringing and good sense, she maintained her dignity and individuality. Truly, Bertha looked after all of us – I was number ten (10) child in this large family of twelve Sheppards. Albertha Walcott always wore her blue Salvation Army uniform because she joined the Army as a young girl and was one of the Army’s most loyal and faithful followers and she never went anywhere unless she proudly wore her uniform and badge. She wore her uniform with great pride. She sang praises to our Lord all day and every day. She worked constantly, day and night. Bertha was always there. Bertha started the day by waking all of us up and made sure that we were all ready for school and that we had a good breakfast before we left home. You must be wondering. Where was the mother of these children if Bertha was doing all this? It was a glorious situation. My mother, Elsie Mabel , was always there, supervising, tending and caring for her large flock, planning and directing meals, clothing and cleaning. A powerful woman. A faithful woman. A lady in every way. A saint unclaimed. A very religious lady who insisted in strict adherence to God’s word and we all grew in love and faith and with God’s Holy guidance. Mama depended on Bertha to assist her in this tremendous task of raising so large a family. What a wonderful and strange alliance it was. Two women of completely different backgrounds living under the same roof and brought up under different circumstances in different islands – now with a common goal. To love and care and help these little helpless people to grow in Christian love and charity under extremely difficult conditions. At first all appeared to be going well with our family. Our father was a successful businessman. We lived in one of the largest houses in the city of Port-of-Spain – ten bedrooms, six upstairs and four downstairs. The usual complement of maids, cooks and yard boy – labour was extremely cheap at that time and jobs were indeed rare. Then it happened. The disastrous depression of the late 20’s early 30’s. Our father made a wrong business decision which was a calamity. Debt clouded his thoughts and the Devil showed him comfort in alcohol. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A king of a man, thoughtful and kind and considerate for all – now broken and heading downhill. Where were his “friends” when he needed them most? You ask? You know!! – they disappeared. His health deteriorated until he died at 45 leaving a widow and twelve children. Eldest 22, youngest 4 years old. Poor Mama. What would she do? Pray and pray and work and plan. Money was scarce but faith and love were in great abundance. With Bertha’s help and care – we survived. When the family was growing up, of course Christmas was a big thing. Jesus was everywhere. We were all members of the St. Ann’s Church of Scotland and we were Presbyterians. Ma and Bertha saw to it that we attended Sunday School and Church regularly. Mama was a pillar of the Church and chief organizer of fund-raising soirees and fairs, etc. We were prepared fully to celebrate the birth of Christ in a truly Christian spirit. After the fuss and bother of shopping, cooking and waiting for Santa Claus, we looked forward to mid-night on Christmas Eve. We were supposed to be asleep but were really barely sleeping. Then in all its glory came the sounds of a heavenly choir – oh, I’ll never forget it!! – “O, Come All Ye Faithful”, “Silent Night”, “Sweet Chiming Christmas Bells”, “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night” – those marvelous inventions of inspired minds. How they can move you! – We all dashed out of bed to see what was the matter – No Santa Claus! – Just Alberta Walcott – Bertha – and the entire Salvation Army Choir from Port-of-Spain with all their musicians sounding “Glory to God in the Highest – for unto Him is born this day – our Saviour Jesus Christ". Mama and Bertha made our Christmas. Happiness in being alive and well and to participate in this wonderful celebration was sufficient for us. We had God on our side and all will be well. As we grew, we married – all twelve – and produced 58 children for Grandma, who loved all of them and wanted them around her all the time. We loved to see Mama with her grands and they all loved her. Always present everywhere and at every function – who picked up the last glass and washed it and swept up? – Bertha. Never requested but always volunteered, was Bertha’s assistance in every way. Her Army uniform had four pockets, two higher and two at arms’ length. Bertha always kept “extra-strongs” (peppermint) in one upper pocket and regular sweets (candy) in the other. The left lower pocket had dry biscuits and the right – sweet biscuits. Something for everyone. The dry ones were for Bertha – a diabetic. Bertha was known and loved everywhere in Port of Spain. On Sunday afternoons - traditionally – she took us for walks in the parks and socialized with everyone she met – she was proud of her family. Bertha knew everyone and with the slightest hint of a request, she would burst out in song – singing all the famous hymns she knew and some that she made up too. Bertha refused to be ill – her faith kept her going. She insisted in massaging our necks to relieve tension and we would give her a shilling, which she promptly turned over to the Army. Bertha was an inspiration to all of us. She saw Mama pass away – her good friend and confidante. And still she stayed on – with our eldest sister, Jessie. She also helped to raise her four children to adulthood. And then her turn came. Bertha went to meet her Master in a geriatric hospital at age 85. Go thou, sweet angel, your work is through, so well and truly done.

Trinidad Police Force vs. Messrs. Wuppermann, Prahl & Co. Capt. Arthur Wybrow Baker Inspector Commandant of the Trinidad Police Sgt. Major Alfred Sheppard Trinidad Police Force, from 1880 - 1905 Introduction I came across an article in a 19th century Trinidad newspaper report and was fascinated by the story. I quickly realized that my great-grandfather was a key witness in an important court case. His evidence in the case was reported verbatim. Alfred Sheppard sworn: "I am a Sergeant of Police, and clerk in the Inspector’s Office in Port of Spain. I issue - that is - make out Permits for the Commandant’s signature on applications to remove gunpowder. " It's not every day that one gets a first hand peep into a day of one's ancestor's work life, unless that ancestor is a famous person. This was just a young English policeman doing his duty in the British colony of Trinidad. I could almost hear his voice and visualize him as he recalls exactly his role in each of the three charges brought against the defendants. The newspaper report dated Saturday, August 5 1882 inspired me to write the followin g short story. To see the actual article in the digital Supplement to the Port of Spain Gazette, Saturday 5 August, 1882. Click here. I have transcribed the entire newspaper article for easy reading. Click here It is early Monday morning in Trinidad, on the last day of a humid July in 1882. Sergeant Alfred Sheppard, a 27 year-old English officer of the British Constabulary is getting ready for work, but he knows this is no ordinary working day. As he carefully combs his dark hair and makes sure his uniform is impeccable, he’s tense and focussed. He is a man trained in details and precision. He had served with his Regiment in Sussex since he was 19, was sent to Trinidad as a Colour Sergeant when he was 23, and had left the army to join the Trinidad Police Force as Supt. Sergeant in 1880 when he was 25. Alfred's duty on this day is to appear in the Police Court in Port of Spain to give key evidence at a trial that has had the merchant community and influential white elite of Port of Spain buzzing for weeks. He would be the first witness called to give evidence for the Prosecution. The highly respectable family firm of Messrs. Wupperman Prahl & Co. was facing a Police charge of illegally removing gunpowder from the Powder Magazine, with three separate offenses contrary to the Ordinance No. 2 that had been passed in 1880. They were alleged to have been committed on the 11th, 20th and 21st of July 1882. On this day, they would face trial. By 1882 Trinidad had become a land of immigrants under Victorian British rule. One of the partners in the accused firm, Adolpho Wupperman, was married to Miss Marie Adele Ganteaume de Monteau - a young lady from a Trinidad upper-class French creole family. There must have been an air of anxious anticipation, as connected and concerned family members - German, French and British - colleagues and compatriates from the business community- filled the seats of the Police Court. The Port of Spain Gazette of Saturday, August 5 1882 published a full transcript of the proceedings. Among the several newspapers published in those days, The Port of Spain Gazette catered mostly to the planter and upper class of Trinidad. They reported that “The respectability of the Defendants, no doubt, was the reason for the large audience present at the trial - unquestionably, the enquiry was of considerable importance.” As he entered the courtroom filled with the "Who's Who" of the community, the Inspector Commandant, Capt. Arthur Wybrow Baker must have struck quite an imposing figure. The Englishman, then 39 years old, was already well known throughout Trinidad for his decisiveness and skilled leadership as Chief of Police. These were times of social unrest. Baker had led his force on horseback, with unflinting bravery through the difficult, tumultuous Carnival Canboulay Riots of the previous year. He has been described as a fine figure of a man, over 6 ft. tall, well-built, with dark black hair and mustache, with striking eyes. Most importantly, he was to conduct the prosecution himself. No wonder the trial attracted such a large audience. Adolpho Wupperman’s business partner, Fritz Prahl, came from Lubeck, Germany. He had first set up business in Cuidad Bolivar, Venezuela. Prahl’s wife was Adolpho’s sister, Antonia Wupperman. She and her brother were born in Angostura, Venezuela, but their father hailed from Barmen, on the banks of the Wupper river (hence their surname). Through family connections, Adolpho had first come to Trinidad in 1861 as a young man to join the firm of German immigrants Urich & Feez. Then in 1880 the brothers-in-law Adolpho Wupperman and Fritz Prahl formed their business partnership. Their retail store was located on Almond Walk, Port of Spain, a few doors down from The Caracas Hotel. It was there that an observant and curious Police Constable Brady, who happened to be on the beat near the Gunpowder Magazine, became suspicious of irregularities when he saw three deliveries of unmarked cases leave the building and be offloaded at the hotel. It appears that acting upon this, a warrant was issued and there was what we would call in today's world "a bust". The bold Irish Sergeant-Major Briefly gave testimony that, armed with the warrant, he went to the Caracas Hotel to investigate. In his statements he revealed that quantities of gunpowder were discovered in a trunk in a room in the hotel. He described in great detail what he found and seized. Despite the Defendants' pleas of Not Guilty to each of the charges, the evidence of their infringement of the law was damning enough for the Judge to find them Guilty on all three charges. The audience went home stunned and the Defendants disappointed. The Police had won their case that day. It is not known what became of the appeal filed on their behalf by their lawyer, but the firm of Wuppermann, Prahl & Co. was dissolved the following year. Fritz Prahl and his family returned to Germa ny. Inspector John N. Brierley 1871 From an historical point of view the newspaper report is valuable, as the strict regulations and system in place for removal of gunpowder from the Police Gunpowder Magazine in Trinidad under British Colonial rule are set out. Alfred Sheppard's duties in giving permission for this as a Sergeant and clerk in the Inspector Commandant’s office are explained by him. To understand why the case drew such a large audience, I researched the company involved and wanted to know more about the social atmosphere in Trinidad in that era. My sources were chiefly: "The Germans in Trinidad" and "The Years of Revolt by historian Fr. Anthony de Verteuil Caribbean History Archives by historian Gerard A. Besson Valerie Sheppard 7 January, 2023

"Our Mother" (26 May 1888, Port of Spain, Trinidad - 2 April 1969, Diego Martin, Trinidad) Wife of Charles Sebastian Theodore Sheppard A Tribute, written about my grandmother on February 26, 1988 by her youngest son - my father, Andrew Sheppard (transcribed from personal family memorabilia) Andrew with his mother, Elsie Mabel She was a natural beauty, unspoiled by cosmetics. Her complexion radiated good health and internal peace with her Creator. Elsie Mabel could have been of royal stock. She was indeed a queen. She never would admit poverty, for God had blessed her with many riches for which she so dearly loved and cared – her large family of thirteen children, the last of whom joined the band of angels before he could speak or walk. So there she was, “Queen” Elsie Mabel, with her flock. She had lost her beloved husband and father of these beautiful children, just over three years of her last baby’s demise. What to do? “Mama”, as everyone called her, or “Ma”, turned to her best friend and Saviour without whom we would all surely perish. She believed in the power of prayer and prayed day and night, usually in the absolute privacy of her bedroom, and her very Christian upbringing that she passed on to her children has stood us all in good stead. This very special person was left with many hostages to a fortune that did not exist. Truly, there was the very large house with 10 bedrooms, which our father had deemed very necessary to accommodate such a large family. And a soft drink factory, complete with horse-drawn trucks, motor trucks, hand-carts and some 25 employees. Elsie Mabel did not have a clue. You see, domestic affairs took up all of her time, so when Charlie left her in a hurry on 17 June, 1931, she had no business experience to that date. But, live we must, and the show must go on, and so it did. How could she leave her beautiful home filled with precious gems to administer the Record Soda Water Factory? And so far from home? She sold the building and had another built in the yard of our home so that she could see everything from the kitchen and bedroom windows, when her time had to be so divided. The factory was now part of home. We all loved Mama dearly and stood by her at all times. We really respected her and would never deliberately do anything to hurt her, or say anything rude. Bad words were not allowed at home. Meal times were serious times and to be sure, competition was furious, so we were always on time. Everyone had a task and we did our chores cheerfully. It could not work otherwise. Of course, Elsie Mabel’s religion was of paramount importance, and she insisted that we all observe Sundays by attending Sunday school and church. It was so tempting and certain friends tried in vain to persuade Mamma that she should attend the church just 3 buildings from home. But no, we could not. You see, we were Presbyterians and the church next door was Roman Catholic. In those bad old days you just could not attend a church other than your own – you would be ostracized. So we journeyed to the St. Ann’s Church of Scotland , a beautiful, strongly built church which was constructed by the European victims of religious persecution, and who arrived with their faith intact in Trinidad, in spite of Cromwell’s detestable and cruel policy. So be it. Mama was a pillar of the church and main organizer of fund-raising events. She was a powerhouse and a charming persuader. With good help all around, she prevailed. Of course, necessity being the mother of invention and money being of great importance for our survival, in addition to running a large family and a soft drink factory, and tending her beautiful garden, Mama decided that we needed a few boarders, so this genius of improvisation created additional bedrooms with the help of a carpenter and cellotex partitions. Returning from school daily was facing unexpected surprises. Space was reduced to accommodate paying guests, so we had to squeeze. I almost forgot, additionally we had 10 cousins who lived in the distant Sangre Grande, many of whom were of similar ages to ourselves and they needed to be accommodated in Port-of-Spain in order to attend school. Of course, where else but the No. 30 Richmond Street. So there we were with 6 cousins at a time sharing our single beds with us – head and toe – the pillows a problem, but we soon solved that by waiting for one or the other to fall asleep and then zoom, pillow gone! Ten boarders, 6 cousins, 12 of us, Mama and “poor” little friends (usually 2), say 28-30 people to be fed each and every day, breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. We all ate a lot of bread, so Ma employed Harris, Barbadian baker who had a problem with testicular hernia always getting in his way. Harris would arrive home and start baking between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. He supplied us with 100 hops loaves, and 6 pan loaves, plus other sweet breads for tea. He also baked some 30 other pan loaves which had to be delivered to the customers before 7:00 a.m. These were friends of the family who lived the general neighbourhood. Ma had several bread bags made, some to hold one or two or more pan loaves. Each customer had a nail on the back or front porch to hold the stringed bread bag. The empty bag would be replaced by the full one. Each bag had the customer’s name. Problem – transportation. Andrew, Robert, George borrow Boysie’s, Bertie’s and John’s bicycles, surround the bicycles with bags of bread and make sure you return for the owners to get their bicycles to get to work. We “students” had to eat breakfast quickly and walk to school – and get there in time. Many times we failed as evidenced by the black and blues on our hands or backsides as administered by our school masters. But this was all part of life. We loved Mama and understood the situation. The miraculous thing about this wonderful lady called “Mama”, “Ma”, or Elsie Mabel was her abundant optimism and love of her children, which was reciprocal. Of course, we all got married and produced 55 grandchildren for her – all of whom she loved, some in the USA, some in Trinidad, and the largest contingent in Barbados. My wife, Barbadian born, had 7 children. We would not reach a dozen. All through the rough and tough times happiness and sadness were shared by a grateful, lovely Mama, with her tribe. In 1960, her worst blow to date was George’s death. He was number seven – “all good children go to Heaven”. Everyone looked forward to Mama’s Christmas parties, which combined food, drinks and entertainment by the children – all 50 or more. The tradition continues with the grands and great grands. She invented the “Mama pool”. This was a devise to lighten the load on your pocket, whereby everyone brought presents for their own, which Santa distributed. In addition, through stipulated donations, other gifts were purchased along with food and drink. All good things must end. As we have become older and wiser, we all know that whatever strength and courage we have had to possess over the years to survive and achieve in this mind-boggling world, has come from our Divine Creator and this faithful servant, Elsie Mabel, “Mama”, “Ma”. You will never be forgotten. We all hope to eventually join you in Paradise where you went with a smile on your face on April 2, 1969 Elsie wrote a short, touching memoir about herself and her family. Click on the picture below to read it. Click HERE to see more photos of Elsie Mabel (Gomez) Sheppard

Charles Sebastian Theodore Sheppard (1885 - 1931) MY GRANDFATHER Charles , who was more often called Charlie by his friends and family, was born on 21st October, 1885 in St. Joseph, Trinidad. He was the second child in a family of five children. His parents were Alfred Sheppard , an Englishman from Sussex, and Virginia de Freitas - daughter of immigrants from Madeira. Little is known of Grandpa Charlie's early childhood, other than he was the son of a police sergeant with the Colonial Police Force in Trinidad, who was in active duty at a time when there were at least three violent social uprisings in Trinidad. The year before Charles was born, The Hosay Massacre (also known as the Hosay riots or the Jahaji massacre) took place on 30 October 1884 in San Fernando, Trinidad when the British colonial authorities fired on participants in the annual Hosay procession. Charles' first years were spent in St. Joseph, where his father was working as a policeman and where his sister Amalia was also born. The family moved to Princes Town where Sergeant Alfred Sheppard had been posted after the riots, and where his two younger siblings were born. Charlie experienced the sad loss of both of his baby brothers when he was a 9 year old boy. Both little brothers were buried side by side in the Presbyterian section of the Paradise Cemetery, San Fernando. Next, we know for sure that Grandpa Charlie was living in Port of Spain as a 20 year old. By then he had already caught sight of the strikingly beautiful, blue-eyed brunette Elsie Gomez , a young lady whose grandparents were Portuguese. A courtship had started and Elsie's description of their rendezvous and first kiss at Carnival time recalls all the excitement and romance of the moment. Grandma Elsie wrote in her memoirs: "The wall was high, so a contrivance was made by placing a barrel and a box raised to the height of the barrel that my family and friends could stand on so that the masqueraders could be seen from over the wall. I was just sixteen years old and no one could stop me from being first to be standing there because I knew that my dear boyfriend would also be coming. I lived with my grandmother so naturally had my chores to do even though it was the Carnival Day, so early I got up and finished everything in time. Much too early for the crowds but not too soon for him to come. He and I sat on the board and talked so shyly to each other, then we would jump up to see some foolish disguised person or band of revelers go by. After a while I was tired and the heat of the sun was fiercely burning on the wall, so I decided to jump off the wall, stand and found myself right in the arms of my darling who immediately kissed me for the first time. I was so astonished and too excited for words so what do you think? I just flew into the house and rushed like mad to the piano and played as I never did before. He sat on a chair next to me and accompanied me with chords. My grandmother and sister came out of their rooms and made signs to each other. From then I knew that no obstacle could ever separate my darling from me. Two young lovers with a long journey to go. My story goes on to say that the happy boy and girl always loved each other until a marriage took place among a very happy home and family and continued happiness reigned with the young people enjoying the many good wishes of so many friends and relatives." At the time of their marriage in 1909, Charlie was employed as a clerk at the department store Wilsons Limited in Port of Spain, Trinidad. In 1930 Wilsons was taken over by Salvatori, Scott & Co. Ltd. Charles became a partner and Accountant in that firm where he worked for the rest of his life. Elsie wrote in her memoirs that her husband's business was going well, and as their family increased, he was able to purchase a beautiful, large home at #30 Richmond Street , Port of Spain. Charlie played the mandolin and piano, and there was always a piano in their home. Elsie's memoirs describe a happy home and holidays spent by the seaside where "the children enjoyed to their fullest all the bathing, fishing, etc. Their father always saw that other children joined his in their happiness." "The home in which my children grew up was very beautiful and surrounded by a setting of golden Buttercups, Bougainvillea bursting out its glorious branches of purple and red and even rusty shades, Poinsettias, and the gracious plumes of the Queen of Flowers. Music pervaded the air, father and children being the musicians." According to oral history, Charles and Elsie traveled to England on holiday regularly. Sadly, on the last trip they made, they were to get the heartbreaking news that their baby son Arthur had died on 1st September, 1928. He was just four months old. According to my cousin, George Gonsalves: "Grandpa used to take Grandma to England every other year as soon as the latest baby was weaned. That year, Jessie, who was in her 19th year, was included in the travel plans. My mother (Madge ) was left in charge and was assisted by Bertha . Diphtheria was rampant in Port of Spain at the time. One had to be careful and to avoid families where it was present. Mum said the disease would take out whole lots of siblings. It was not unusual to see the names of four or five children on the gravestones in the cemetery, the result of an infestation of diphtheria. Not long after the travellers left, Arthur began exhibiting signs of an illness. The doctor was called and after awhile it was determined that he had diphtheria. It is not certain where he got it from, but they used to go out for walks with the baby in the pram." Sadly, our dear Grandpa Charlie's health deteriorated in the years that followed. He passed away three years after the death of baby Arthur, when he was just 45 years old. Their union lasted 23 years, during which they had produced a family of thirteen children. Elsie never remarried, but continued bravely to successfully raise their large family. She lived to be 80 years old, and enjoyed a full life, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Charles Sheppard at 44 years old This is the last known image of our grandfather. Above: Wilsons Limited in Port of Spain, Trinidad where Grandpa Charlie Sheppard was working at the time of his marriage in 1909. Wilsons changed hands and became Salvatori, Scott & Co. Ltd.. By 1917 the business became The Trinidad Stores. He was a Director and Accountant with that firm up to the time of his death in 1931. My Grandparents - Charles Sheppard and Elsie Gomez pictured at the Manse of St. Ann's Church of Scotland, Port of Spain The marriage of Charles Sebastian Theodore Sheppard and Elsie Mabel Gomez took place on 20th January, 1909 at the Presbyterian Church, St. Ann's Church of Scotland, St. Ann's Road, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. We examined the marriage record and took the above photo of the register in the Trinidad archives, but were scolded that it was forbidden! Too late! From the register we find that at the time of his marriage at age 23, Charles was still living at his parents' home at 117 Edward Street, Port of Spain. Elsie was 20 years old, and her address was 4, Zampty Lane, Erthic Road, Belmont. The Minister who conducted their marriage ceremony was Mr. P. Simpson, and their witnesses who signed the Marriage Register were Joseph Cabral and Elsie's sister, Audrey Gomez. Elsie Mabel was born on 26 May, 1888, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Her parents, Joseph Gomez and Christina Pereira, were both of Portuguese descent. Elsie was the eldest of their nine children. Both of her parents were present at her wedding; however, her father Joseph passed away just two years later, on 31 Dec 1910 - at age 47. Charles' oldest brother Alfred who had also attended their wedding, died in the January of 1910, succumbing to bronchitis, when he was just 25. Two very sad losses for the family in the same year. Elsie's mother, Christina, lived to be 83, and was able to enjoy many of her grandchildren born to Charles and Elsie. Charlie's father Alfred died just 8 years after the wedding, but his mother Virginia lived till 1936 and knew all of her grandchildren. The wedding reception was held at the home of Mr. Albert Mendes, at the corner of Shine Street & Park Street on Victoria Square, Port-of- Spain. Albert's wife was Mary Pereira, Elsie's aunt, and Albert was also Elsie's godfather. It appears that Charlie and Elsie were close to Albert and Mary, as in later years, Albert appointed Charlie to be one of the Administrators of his Estate, in which he bequeathed $500.00 to Elsie. Albert was the brother of Alfred Mendes Snr., great-grandfather of the British Academy award winner, Sam Mendes. News of the marriage appeared in the newspaper's social column, giving a lovely description of the occasion. The couple spent their honeymoon at the Santa Carlotta Estate - a cocoa plantation near the coast which was owned by Alfred Mendes Snr. Alfred was an Elder of St. Ann's Free Church and a good friend of the family. By 1924, Charles and Elsie had 11 children, pictured below. Elsie Mabel recorded details of her Wedding Day in her Bible, now passed down to her daughter Sybil. She wrote:- Bestman: Joseph Cabral Chief Bridesmaid: Audrey Gomez ; Edith Gomez; Alice Mendes Flower girls: Laurie, Phyllis and Birdie Peake, Thelma Fereira, Ivy Gomez and Ida Mendes Memories: A very happy wedding held at the home of my Godfather, Mr. Albert Mendes, Victoria Square. Many young people and children attended. In this wonderful wedding photo, we see the bride and groom Charles and Elsie with their family and friends, standing in front of Albert and Mary Mendes' residence, where the reception was held. The boy standing front left is Willie Gomez, the bride's brother. I understand that the little flower-girls next to him are all of the Peake family, not relatives, but children of Mr. Peake, the gentleman in the white tunic, a policeman who came from England along with Alfred, and remained good friends Charles' mother Virginia is standing next to her son, and behind her to the left is his father Alfred. The flower girl standing next to the bride on the right side is Ivy Gomez , the bride's sister. Immediately behind her, his face partly hidden, is Sebastien de Freitas, the groom's grandfather. The gentleman standing between the bride and groom in the next row is Elsie's father, Joseph Gomez, and her mother Christina can be seen just to the right of Elsie. Charles and Elsie Sheppard with their family in 1928 Taken on the same day in 1928, in the backyard of their home on #30 Richmond Street l/r Elsie with baby Arthur, Florence (Flo) , Audrey , Andrew , Sybil , Robert , George , John , Bertie , Ida , Joseph (Boysie) , Madge, Jessie All of the children got married and had families of their own. Click here for their wedding photos.

Victor Colin Johnson husband of Edith Florence (Flo) Sheppard 1924 - 2005 Eulogy written by his eldest daughter Christine Patience Colin, Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Colin, Mr. Ceejay, Boss - was born in Barbados to Barbadian parents Douglas Dowding Johnson and Iris Foster on December 8, 1924. He was the eldest child in a family of four (Maguriette, Lloyd and Angela). Daddy grew up at a time very different to now, a time when people enjoyed the simple things in life, a lot of outdoor activities, when men booked dances with ladies, your vehicle of choice when you were courting was a bicycle and people got married very young for the right reasons. It was a time of chivalry, family unity and adventure. As a result, Daddy left his much loved home in Barbados at eighteen and headed for the green Trinity hills of Trinidad (as many people did back then) to craft his future. He started his career at Cable & Wireless as a telegraph operator. Shortly after that at age twenty-one, he found himself in the magical spell of the beautiful Florence Sheppard and would have celebrated sixty years of marriage next year May. Daddy not only got married to a "Trini" but also ended up with six brothers and five sisters and their partners. He became a brother and a true friend to all of them. Colin and Florence (Flo) - 4 May, 1946 His working life successfully spanned companies such as Citrus Growers Association and Neal & Massy but of course the best was when he took the plunge and founded his own company some twenty-five years ago - Ceejay Engineering Limited. He successfully built and grew this family owned company from the back room of their home at Appleblossom Avenue where he was comfortable working in his pyjamas and short pants. Over the twenty five years he shared his knowledge freely. Just a "simple man of trade" with a wealth of knowledge in the field of engineering. Always giving his technical advice freely. He was proud to have accomplished all he did in his life and in particular, his business career. He loved the company he built and continued working right up until his recent surgery. Daddy was a simple, humble, hardworking, committed person. He was guided by a set of strong moral values. Daddy had faith in people and a trust that they would always do the right and honourable thing. He was always forgiving, never spoke ill of anyone nor did he ever encourage any ill words of anyone. He kept his feelings and thoughts to himself. Caring, quiet, kind and sentimental were some of his other traits. In business, he was a leader, decisive but always took the time to comuicate with his customers, suppliers and staff. Although, he did not take advice easily, he was a fair person and a good listener. Besides work, Daddy had other passions - Family, Food, Gardening, Writing, Driving and Sight-seeing. He was always happy to take his "Harem of Ladies" (Jessie, Ida, Sybil, Angela, Nora and recently Joan) for leisurely drives or to the "Bight" for some fish cakes and a drink of Fridays after a long hard week and a good deposit at the bank. Daddy still did the company banking, since he liked to go in and chat and maintain a personal relationship. He thought that was very important. Daddy never belonged to any social, sporting or golf clubs. He was content to work hard and come home to his wife and family. Daddy had Flo well trained from Day One. She just had to hear his car horn beep once and she would be up and opening the gate, even in the rain. She got so good at it she just had to hear the engine as he turned the corner. When they were married fifty years, we thought it was time we gave them an electronic gate but Dad would just smile, as he had his own special "gate-opener". Family was high on his priority list and it was reflected in family vacations, of which we have very memorable ones - at Toco (Patience's Bay) and Barbados. He especially loved when it involved several family members being there. He loved a good joke, even blushing and laughing over the few rude ones he gave, and he often shared these jokes with his "Sea Bathing Buddies" as they enjoyed the beautiful Barbados water. He would get so mad whenever we teased him that the Trinidad beaches and sea were "just like Barbados". He was so happy with and proud of ALL his children, grand and great-grands (the last being his namesake, Colin). He loved being a part of their lives, but not in an interfering way. Colin and Flo on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, 4 May 1996 with their children Michael, Jeffrey, Christine and Carol-Lyn Daddy loved to eat, especially good old local foods (yam, eddoes, sweet potato, Oil-down, Souse and let's not forget Cou Cou and Flying Fish!) He could always tell you where you could get the best meals on any holiday. His eyes sparkled and mouth watered at the thought of the Atlantis Sunday Buffet. Mummy would cringe any time Daddy was planning a party (there would be cooking for days). After coming back home from vacations abroad, Daddy had to pass through St. James to pick up a few rotis. In his youth they fondly nicknamed him "Ocean", probably due to his healthy appetite. Gardening was Daddy's relaxation, destresser and joy. He loved his kitchen garden and roses, which he lovingly planted, nurtured and grafted with great care and patience. Daddy was very meticulous about his weeding, no nut grass or stones got away as he sat for hours on his home-made wooden stool. Writing was another favourite pastime. Every Christmas card had a personal note included. When at boarding school, I was probably the only girl who received regular and lengthy letters keeping me in touch with home. Most recently, he embarked on writing his very detailed and graphic memoirs from his early years- from two-and-a-half years, and had just reached age seventeen. I guess we have to complete this task with Mummy filling in the missing parts. Finally, as the doctor promised, "Colin, you will enjoy a far greater quality of life after this operation". And it is true, only not what we had in mind. Colin has gained something however much more precious than that - he has gained Eternal Life. Colin, Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Colin, Mr. Ceejay, Boss - go on now and Rest in Peace and continue planting in your Heavenly Garden "Up Yonder".

ROBERT LOUIS SHEPPARD 1920 - 1999 Robert Louis Sheppard was born on 10th March 1920, the eighth child of Charles and Elsie (Gomez) Sheppard's family of 13 children. At the time of his birth, the Sheppard family lived at Stone Street, Port of Spain. But Grandpa Charlie Sheppard later bought a large property at 30 Richmond Street to accommodate his rapidly increasing family. Young Robert and his nine siblings moved in. What an exciting new place that must have been for these children to explore! My father, Andrew , was the closest brother to Robert in age, born in 1922. Knowing how lovingly he spoke of him, I feel certain that, had he not predeceased Robert by eight years, he would have written a heartfelt tribute to his brother, as he had done for other family members. They shared much of the same childhood experiences, the most traumatic of which was the death of their father in 1931 when they were young boys. Their father Charles Sheppard died when he was only 45 (my Dad was not quite 9 years old, Robert was 11), leaving their mother to raise them all. Their widowed mother took in boarders to supplement her limited finances, and the children understood that they had to help. When my father was 66 and living in Barbados, he wrote some stories about family life in the 1930s and, not surprisingly, many of the memories he recalled included his close brother Robert. They were only two years apart and were best buddies. He recalled the days when he, along with his brothers Robert and George were the bread delivery boys, using their big brothers’ bikes. George was the brother just before Robert and Andrew was the one just after him, so they were a close threesome growing up. When George died suddenly at age 43, Robert and Andrew were shocked and heartbroken. I can truthfully say that it was the first time I saw my father cry, the day he received the phone call from Trinidad with that tragic news. I've transcribed this account from my father's own handwritten stories. School Days "Trinidad was and is a predominantly Roman Catholic Country because of its Spanish and French origins. I was Presbyterian. Being the last of six sons, obtaining a place in the Government-run main secondary school was a problem for my brother Robert and me because we had four older brothers attending that college, Queen’s Royal College, and their regulations did not permit any more than four pupils from any one family. Consequently, Robert and I found ourselves at St. Mary’s College, otherwise known as C.I.C. (College of the Immaculate Conception), almost entirely Roman Catholic. We were definitely out of place. Apart from studies, the only other activities that we could perform were football, athletics, boxing. We were not allowed to join the Sea Scouts, nor could we join choirs nor drama clubs. Cadets was also on the list of restricted areas. We were also prevented from entering the school chapel. Whenever our Catholic friends attended Mass, we were obliged to remain in our classrooms for the period under the supervision of a Protestant teacher or a Head Boy. It was uncomfortable and confusing to be in this situation. It was not our imagination either that non-Catholics were the victims of discrimination. We were always severely punished for any infringement of the rules of the school. Being late or forgetting poetry or not completing homework always guaranteed us a beating by the Dean of Studies or the Dean of Discipline. “Ten boarders, 6 cousins, 12 of us, Mama and “poor” little friends (usually 2), say 28-30 people to be fed each and every day, breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. We all ate a lot of bread, so Ma employed Harris, Barbadian baker who had a problem with testicular hernia always getting in his way. Harris would arrive home and start baking between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. He supplied us with 100 hops loaves, and 6 pan loaves, plus other sweet breads for tea. He also baked some 30 other pan loaves which had to be delivered to the customers before 7:00 a.m. These were friends of the family who lived in the general neighbourhood. Ma had several bread bags made, some to hold one or two or more pan loaves. Each customer had a nail on the back or front porch to hold the stringed bread bag. The empty bag would be replaced by the full one. Each bag had the customer’s name. Problem – transportation. Andrew, Robert, George borrow Boysie’s, Bertie’s and John’s bicycles, surround the bicycles with bags of bread and make sure you return for the owners to get their bicycles to get to work. We “students” had to eat breakfast quickly and walk to school – and get there in time. Many times we failed as evidenced by the black and blues on our hands or backsides as administered by our school masters. But this was all part of life. We loved Mama and understood the situation.” "In spite of everything, Robert and I succeeded up to a point. Our widowed mother could no longer afford to pay the school fees of $12.00 per three month term each, so we had to leave and find gainful employment to assist in supporting our large family of twelve children. Robert got a job with a large, diverse commercial company as an office boy." Marriage and family life Robert married the love of his life on 11 April 1942. He had just turned 22 , his beautiful bride Angela de Souza was 20 years old. Like Robert, Angela's family roots were Portuguese. Her parents were Lucy Xavier and Henrique Rodrigues de Souza. Henrique was known as Henry, and was born in São Roque, Madeira. He was a merchant who ran an alcohol retail business, as well as a bakery and a couple of grocery stores in Chaguanas and Caripachaima. He owned the White Eagle Bar and Grocery, 97 Western Main Road, St. James, Port of Spain,around 1910s-1930s. Angela's siblings were Henrietta, Jacintho “Sonny”, Teresa, Monica, Henry and Sheila de Souza. The Sheppard, Gomez and de Souza families became close, as Angela's brother "Sonny" married Robert's cousin, Angela McCartney. She was the daughter of his mother's sister Edith Gomez and Thomas McCartney. Angela Lucy de Souza 1 November 1922 - 19 November 2004 Wedding Day - 11 April 1942 Standing next to Angela is Robert's bestman, my father Andrew, wearing his military uniform. Next to Robert is their sister Sybil, left is Theresa de Souza, the bride's sister Next to my father is another of the bride's sisters, Henrietta de Souza. Robert and Angela with their children l/r standing Carol, Bobby, Charlie Wayne is seated on his mother's lap and Gail is next to him Robert and Angela celebrated their first wedding anniversary with the arrival of their firstborn, Carol Ann, who was born on 12 April, 1943. Their family quickly grew with the addition of Robert (Bobby) in 1945, Charles (Charlie) in 1946, Gail in 1947 and then 12 years later in 1959, Wayne. Trinidadians would say that Wayne was the "langiappe". Robert was first and foremost a family man. I fondly remember him as charming and outgoing, with a lovable personality and infectious smile. He was quite like my father in that respect. He grew up in a home where the piano took centre stage in the living room, and where music was a part of everyday life. He must have seen his father play the mandolin. Robert loved to sing, and had a smooth velvety voice. Luckily, we have a few nice recordings of him singing some of the popular standards of his day, accompanied by his sister Jessie. He loved nothing better than a fete - family parties at his home were often held to celebrate various occasions, with everyone gathered around their piano - the very one given to Angela by her father for her eighteenth birthday. My Uncle Robert's early days of delivering the loaves of bread around the neighbourhood and his upbringing as a middle child in such a large family stood him in good stead for a business career in management of people. Robert worked for a while with the Singer Sewing Machine Company, followed by a long and successful career with the American Esso Standard Oil (S.A.) Ltd., where he was Personnel Manager, rising to become Regional Manager, with responsibility for Trinidad, Guyana. Suriname and several other West Indian islands where Esso had branches. His negotiating skills in dealing with trade unions were exceptional and recognized by the company. During his working career Esso transferred him to Guyana, where he moved to with his family for a few years before relocating back to his home in Trinidad. Guyanese people being known for their warm hospitality, Robert and Angela fitted right in, quickly making friends and enjoying a vibrant social life. While in Guyana, he quickly assimilated into the business community and became a Member of Council of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce in 1961. After Esso closed doors in Trinidad, Robert worked for the National Petroleum Corporation up until his retirement. After retirement, he became the Manager of The Union Club located on Independence Square in Port of Spain. It was the prime social meeting place for local businessmen. Robert's charming personality and business experience made him well suited to this position. Robert made time in his busy working life to enjoy his family and the sports he loved, together with the socializing that came along with that. He played rugby and was also at one time hockey goalkeeper for the Shamrock Club. In his private life, he was a man of faith, having been raised in a staunchly Presbyterian family. He was a Freemason, and belonged to the Royal Prince of Wales Masonic Lodge in Trinidad. He was also an active member of the Lions Club. Angela was Catholic, and as required at the time of their marriage, he promised to raise their children in the Roman Catholic faith. These beliefs and values stayed with the couple through thick and thin. Robert and Angela's eldest daughter Carol grew up to be an outstandingly beautiful and talented young lady. Many of my generation would remember her on stage at the Port of Spain Jaycees Carnival Queen show, where she competed as Miss Olympia. Contestants were sponsored by local businesses, and Carol's sponsor was her uncle Sonny de Souza, whose company sold Olympia typewriters. She wore a costume and evening gown designed by John Humphrey, husband of her cousin Helen de Sousa. Her costume depicted a volcano. Click on this link for photos. Carol married Douglas Yuille in 1964 and by 1969 they had given Robert and Angela three grandchildren. The marriages of three of their other children - Bobby to Fatima, Charlie to Anna and Gail to Errol gave them ten grandchildren in all. Of these, several are distinctly musical. As we say in the Caribbean "The mango don't fall far from the tree!" But life was to deal them the harshest of blows when in 1986, their lovely Carol died after a short illness of cancer. She was just 43 years old. Heartbreak beyond description enveloped Robert, Angela and their entire family. Carol Ann (Sheppard) Yuille Robert and Angela remained a devoted couple, until Robert passed away on 16th December 1999 when he was 79. Angela lived on for another five years, passing away at age 82 on 19th November, 2004. They are memorialized together in the De Souza family plot in the Lapeyrouse Cemetery, Port of Spain. The inscriptions on their plaques aptly describe their lives together "Loving husband and father", "Loving wife and mother". In closing, I think it fitting to share a video filmed by my husband Meindert at Robert and Angela's home in Diego Martin, Trinidad. It brings to life the warmth, hospitality and family love that they so enjoyed while gathered around the piano. We remember them with love and affection as we listen to the piano music of Robert's oldest sister Jessie (Sheppard) Brash, and Robert himself singing for us "Pennies from Heaven". The clip ends with him telling his beloved Angela "For posterity, kiss me."