0

Remembering the Flamingo

PORTRAITS of the HMBS Flamingo and the four marines who died when the vessel was bombed and sank unveiled yesterday. Photos: Racardo Thomas

PORTRAITS of the HMBS Flamingo and the four marines who died when the vessel was bombed and sank unveiled yesterday. Photos: Racardo Thomas

photo

WYNTON Smith (nephew) unveils the portrait of Marine Seaman Austin Smith.

photo

JOAN Knowles (sister) unveils the portrait of Marine Seaman David Tucker.

photo

KARRAN Sturrup (sister) unveils the portrait of Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup.

photo

EDWARD Williams Jr (son) unveils the portrait of Marine Seaman Edward Williams.

PORTRAITS of the four marines who died during the bombing and sinking of HMBS Flamingo were unveiled yesterday.

The images of Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup, Marine Seaman Austin Rudolph Smith, Marine Seaman David Tucker and Marine Seaman Edward Williams were unveiled during a ceremony in Rawson Square yesterday. All four lost their lives on May 10, 1980, during the sinking of the HMBS Flamingo.

Deputy Commander Shonedel Pinder spoke at the event, giving a brief account of the event and other plans to commemorate the sinking.

“On Wednesday 5th May, there will be a tree-planting ceremony onboard Coral Harbour base to commemorate members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force who would have lost their lives in the line of duty over the years,” said Captain Pinder. “Additionally, there is the HMBS Flamingo Memorial Ribbon to commemorate the four fallen marines. This ribbon will be worn during the month of May, with proceeds of the ribbon used to give financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the Bahamas’ military.”

The portraits will remain on display this month.

Comments

ThisIsOurs 3 years, 6 months ago

Our too slow ministry of tourism should have already been in talks to turn this amazing sleepy island Russian mig fighter story into a Netflix movie with partial proceeds to some fund for the families

tetelestai 3 years, 6 months ago

Actually, in 1983, an opera was written about the tragic events of May 10. It is the seminal "Our Boys", written by the absolutely brilliant - and Bahamian! - Cleophas Adderley Jr.

The opera played at the Dundas in 1987 and 1998. It remains the only opera to have ever been written and performed in the English-speaking Caribbean and, in my view, is the greatest piece of work every produced by a Bahamian.

bogart 3 years, 6 months ago

Truly a very important day for all. This event needs to have the excellent Bahamian artist Kishan Munroe's UK Award winning paintings of the Flamingo and fallen marines, be arranged to be on public display. RIP our bave heroes fallen in action and will be remembered forever in the Bahamas.

Sign in to comment