Boyhood

Herbert grew up on a plantation in St Andrew, Barbados. Even though his parents were not wealthy, he lived a privileged life and he never had to take care of himself. His father, Malcolm, had seen hardship as a young man. As an estate manager, Malcolm was cash poor but lived a comfortable life. In turn, Herbert was lucky that his food was cooked, his clothes were washed, and his shoes were brushed by maids. He never washed a dish or mowed a lawn. He spent his days exploring the hills of the Scotland District. He would ride a horse or a bicycle or just run where he wanted to go. Even when Herbert started working as an entry level bank clerk, his great aunts looked after him. Money was always scarce, but he was always catered to.

Herbert remembered riding bareback with his younger cousin Clinton Gill, b. 1929. (Clinton was a nephew of F. F. C. Fitz Gill.) They would ride to Cherry Tree Hill, where he recalls a Mr. Cuke being in charge. He remembers running up and down the grand mahogany stairway. Dad was almost six foot tall but as a young man he was under a hundred and thirty pounds. As a youth he said most of his weight was in his legs which were very muscular.

Herbert’s dislike of firearms stemmed from an early incident with his father, Malcolm. In the old days, windows had no insect screens. Most people slept under mosquito nets which were suspended over the beds. Malcolm lived in a rural area and felt that he should be able to protect his family. He slept with a loaded semi-automatic pistol under his pillow.

One night Herbert felt scared and went to his father’s bedside. He lifted his hands and put them on his Dad’s mosquito net. Malcolm awoke. The shadow of Herbert’s raised hands and body caused Malcom to think that there was a tall intruder over his bed. Malcolm jammed the muzzle of the pistol into Herbert’s abdomen.

“Who goes there?” Malcolm shouted with great emotion. I imagine that the pistol was ready to fire and that his finger was on the trigger.

Herbert identified himself. Even though the danger subsided, young Herbert never forgot.