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A Medical Doctor by profession, Dr. Clarke held a number of key positions in St. Lucia’s medical service, as well as in sports organizations. He will forever have a place in the island’s history books for becoming, in 1967, its first native born Governor.
Born in Castries on May 21st 1912 Frederick “Jim” Clarke received his early education at the RC Boys School, Castries, and later attended Wesley Hall School in Barbados. His secondary education was received at the St. Mary’s College and the St. Vincent Grammar School in St. Vincent. He then went on to study medicine at the School of Medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland and, after graduating in 1944, started his medical career in the British Midlands.
In 1946, Dr. Clarke returned to St. Lucia and was appointed a District Medical Officer in the district of Soufriere. By the time he retired from the Government Service in 1963, he had attained the position of Chief Medical Officer.
An avid sportsman, he captained the St. Lucia Cricket Team in the Cork Cup Tournaments in 1946, 1950 and 1953. Later, he represented the Windward Islands o the Cricket Board of Control for many years.
In 1964, when the United Workers Party gained political office, Dr. Clarke became Speaker of the House of Assembly. He held this position until 1967 when he was appointed the island’s first native Governor, when Saint Lucia attained Statehood in Association with Britain.
In 1968, he was awarded a Knight Bachelor and the following year the esteemed honour of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint John was bestowed on him by Queen Elizabeth II. Sir Frederick Clarke passed away on 27th October, 1980. |
