The Tribune

TRIBUTES have been paid to William Swinley, the first Commodore of the The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, who died last week in Guernsey.

In October 1976, the then Commander Swinley formed the RBDF and served as Commodore to 1981. As a former British Naval officer, Swinley - mandated by the Prime Minister of the time, Sir Lynden Pindling - used his skills to implement systems and structures used in the Royal Navy for the Defence Force.

In 1980, he took a contingent of troops to Ragged Island following the sinking by Cuban fighters of the patrol boat Flamingo, an incident in which four Bahamian marines died.

Last night, Dr Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security, sent condolences to Mr Swinley’s widow and sons, Philip and Ben, and described his contribution to the country as “stellar”.

“He instituted a good foundation for The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, which stands strong today as a beacon of sovereignty for the people of the Bahamas. Through his work, Commodore Swinley paved the way for so many young Bahamian men and women who have joined the ranks and continue to build and carry out the mandate of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

“It was his unwavering commitment and fortitude as Commodore of The Royal Bahamas Defence Force that propelled him to take a leading role in the national development of the Bahamas. For this we are eternally grateful to Commodore Swinley for his stellar contribution in building The Bahamas.”

The funeral for Commodore Swinley is to be held on July 8 in Guernsey and a Memorial Service is scheduled for a later date in Gloucestershire, England. A representative of the Bahamas High Commission in London will attend the funeral.