BARBADIANS TURNED out again yesterday in their thousands to get a glimpse of Prime Minister David Thompson’s body lying in state at his alma mater Combermere School.
They gathered from early, most armed with umbrellas to shield them from the sun and the showers that had been forecast for later.
Students of the school lined the route in a guard of honour and stood patiently at attention, awaiting the arrival of the late Prime Minister who succumbed to his illness last Saturday.
It was around 12:20 p.m. that blaring sirens could be heard in the distance, and all eyes became focused in the direction of the sound in anticipation of his arrival.
The entourage, led by police outriders, made its way slowly through the school gates, as students stood with their heads bowed as a sign of respect.
Uniformed personnel took the casket out of the hearse and carefully bore it into the school hall, as past Combermerians watched in silence and observed the protocols.
Principal Vere Parris and board chairman Peter Harris were the first to view the body, before other members of the Old Scholars’ Association and Combermere students filed in.
The day also saw hundreds of other students – from Garrison Secondary, Ellerslie, Alleyne School and The Lodge School – taking the opportunity to view the body.
Outside, as various members of the public sought shelter from the rain, 78-year-old Dolly Douglin took ill and the true community spirit came alive.
Some rushed to find something for her to sit on, while her husband Clarence and others held her, apparently fearing she would faint.
When Clarence announced she was diabetic, someone quickly gave her a mint, while others fanned her.
She was eventually helped to the guard hut to be seated, but Douglin, who had been there since nine o’clock, was adamant that she had to see the late Prime Minister.
Supported by husband
As news quickly spread of her plight, word came that her desire would be granted and Douglin, supported by her husband and a policewoman, was then taken to see Thompson.
On her departure from the school hall, she declared: “I now feel much better. Now that I see him, I feel good.”
The rest of the day lacked such drama as a steady stream of people filed in to either see Thompson’s body or sign the six condolence books.
As the day wore on, the skies became overcast as if nature itself was in mourning.
About 15 minutes later, the Downes & Wilson Funeral Home hearse passed between another guard of honour and through the school gates, and went on its way, preceded by outriders from the Royal Barbados Police Force and followed by a coach with Coast Guard and Defence Force personnel.
The next viewing of Thompson’s body will be at the Democratic Labour Party’s headquarters in the George Street Auditorium, Belleville, St Michael, today from 9 a.m.