The Tribune

NOT everyone can say they are a descendent of a former Bahamian governor. And not everyone is Donald Grey-Wilson, the 67-year-old whose grandfather, Sir William Grey-Wilson, served as the Bahamas’ 50th governor from 1904 to 1912.

Mr Grey-Wilson always wanted to visit the country where his grandfather, who died in 1926, served in public office. Two weeks ago, he and his partner, Tanya Bowyer-Bower, left their home in Scotland to retrace Sir William’s steps and appreciate the legacy the British empire has left in the Bahamas.

What they discovered as they fell in love with this country’s history, climate and people, is that Sir William was a beloved governor and that much of the remnants of old Nassau, as seen in their decades-old family photo album that is neatly tucked away in the corner of their Scottish home, remain today.

“It’s almost like a jigsaw puzzle, being able to put the pieces together,” Mr Grey-Wilson told The Tribune about his experience finally retracing his grandfather’s steps.

“I’ve always wanted to find out where my grandfather was governor. It’s always been in the back of my mind and we had a chance to come out and thought it would be a good idea. I’ve heard so much from my father, who obviously came here as well, and I just wanted to see for myself. It’s amazing to see how much of old Nassau is here.”

In Scotland, Mr Grey-Wilson is a fish farmer and his partner is a geography teacher. While in New Providence, they visited the National Library, the Department of Archives and Government House, where they met briefly the present Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling. They have expressed a particular interest in how a former British colony became Americanised and now has growing ties with China.

“It was very interesting reading the dispatches of the time when the statue of Queen Victoria was inspected by His Majesty Edward VII and sent out and my grandfather talks about possibly requesting a man-of-war to be in the harbour as the navy would’ve wanted lustre for the occasion,” Mr Grey-Wilson said.

“And I think even then he was quite worried this was a colony that was becoming Americanised and I was amazed to read that was the case in 1905, so long ago. It’s just really put the background into context. If we had more time we would’ve probably gone through a few more of the records at the records office.”

“What we’re taking back with us are lots of photographs of everything we’ve seen,” added Ms Bowyer-Bower. “We’ve tried to take photographs that seem to be similar places to some of the places taken by Donald’s grandfather 105 years ago.”

She added: “It’s lovely to see that there are still governors today and to see Government House still there. And the old buildings such as the library and where we have a photograph of Donald’s grandmother standing in front of it with a beautiful moon like it was taken in the twilight, along with walking along this road here (Shirley Street) and suddenly see the very distinctive shape of this building.

“It really makes you feel like you’re almost touching on their lives, as if they’re still alive. So, so much of the Bahamas has changed but with the photographs that we had, we’ve been able to identify some of the buildings and that has been very exciting.”

They were pleased to learn of the Bahamas’ economic and social stability 41 years after attaining independence.

“You hear so many controversial things about history nowadays, about the role of Britain around the world and this sort of thing. You hear all sides of the argument but it’s just interesting to come and get a feel for what it was like for the people in those days,” she said. “What you want to find is a place and a country that’s proud and that is strong and is going places and obviously so many different people have had influences on that. To see that the Bahamas is proud and is strong and has big strengths and is going places, that is what really we’re taking away with us. I think this is the most interesting holiday that I’ve ever had because you’re such warm, beautiful people and we’re combining it with learning our history.”

Sir William was friends with Leon Dupuch, founder of The Tribune, and when they visited the newspaper’s offices, Tribune publisher Eileen Carron was able to reconnect Mr Grey-Wilson with a treasured artefact. She showed him a silver tray, which he remembered from his youth, that best symbolised the affection residents in the early 20th century had for his grandfather.

Indeed, Mr Dupuch had spearheaded a fund raising campaign to purchase the silver tray for Sir William.

“They raised �82, what would be tens of thousands of dollars today, and they thought that was tremendous,” Mrs Carron explained, noting that Sir William was the only governor to receive such a show of appreciation.

Mr Grey-Wilson completed his tour of duty as governor on Empire Day, May 24, 1912.

The money raised in his honour was sent to a silversmith in London, England, and the tray was made, engraved and presented to him.

Mr Grey-Wilson said: “My uncle had (the tray) and when he died in 1972 it passed to my father and my father left it to The Tribune, which I think was a nice thing to do. He sent it to Mrs Carron’s father, saying he wanted it to come back to the Bahamas.”

Ms Bowyer-Bower added that she is fascinated to see the linkages between Bahamian people and those from a country as far-flung as Scotland.

“Everybody is thinking, ‘What was my grandfather doing 100 years ago?’ And everybody is interested as well to see where we all came from and the challenges the Bahamas has today. Britain has its challenges. We’re from Scotland and we have to vote for independence so there are big challenges coming up.

“I think we’re really here wanting to get a feel for the social history of it all. We’ve enjoyed doing some of the tourist things such as snorkelling, but it’s that social history and touching on it and the ties between British involvement and the Bahamas today that has been most fascinating.”