Sir Florizel Glasspole’s decades of service to Jamaica have been crowned with a knighthood, marking a proud moment in his distinguished public life. From trade union leadership to serving as minister of labour and education, and ultimately as governor-general since 1973, his contributions span over 40 years. His recent elevation to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George reflects a lifetime dedicated to national development and public service.

Published Saturday April 18,1981

Governor-General Knighted

- GCMG for Sir Florizel

JAMAICA’S GOVERNOR-GENERAL, the Most Honourable Florizel Glasspole (as he was up to yesterday), has now become Sir Florizel Glasspole, GCMG.
Queen Elizabeth, of England, whose representative he is under the Jamaican Constitution, conferred the honour of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St George on him yesterday.

An announcement by the Prime Minister, the Hon Edward Seaga, from Jamaica House yesterday gave the news for which many Jamaicans had been waiting since last month.
On March 20, Mr Seaga said that the Government had decided that Jamaicans may now accept foreign honours and awards. Immediate thoughts turned then to the possibility of Mr Glasspole being knighted.
His wife now becomes Lady Glasspole.

DISTINGUISHED CAREER
Conferring of the knighthood on Sir Florizel crowns a distinguished career in the service of his country. He has served as a member of parliament and a minister of government. He had previously been an outstanding trade union leader.

One of the foundation members of the People’s National Party, he has been in the forefront of national politics for some 40 years.

Sir Florizel now joins Sir Clifford Campbell, whom he succeeded as governor-general, as a recipient of a knighthood from the Queen – an honour that had been denied him under the regime of the previous Government.

An official announcement from Jamaica House said:
“Sir Florizel has been Governor-General of Jamaica since 1973. He was re-confirmed in that position last November, after Prime Minister Seaga assumed office.
“The Governor-General holds the Order of the Nation (O.N.) and Commander of the Order of Distinction (C.D.), Jamaican honours. He was awarded the Order of Andres Bello (first-class) by the President of Venezuela, in January 1973.

“Sir Florizel enjoys the widespread respect of Jamaicans, for the distinguished and respected role he has played as Jamaica’s Governor-General since 1973. The Governor-General has had a long and distinguished public career, and has held several leadership positions in many organizations.

“Sir Florizel’s political career has spanned four decades, during which time he has held a number of Ministerial, Parliamentary, and political posts. He was Minister of Labour between 1955 and 1957; Minister of Education between 1957 and 1962, and again between 1972 and 1973; and Leader of the House of Representatives between 1955 and 1962, and 1972 and 1973.
“All these posts were held in administrations of the People’s National Party.
“The Governor-General was a member of the first House of Representatives under Adult Suffrage in 1944, representing Eastern Kingston and Port Royal, until he resigned in 1973.
“He was a member of the Jamaica House of Representatives Committee which prepared the island’s Independence Constitution, and also a member of the delegation which finalized Jamaica’s Constitution in London with the British Government.
“Sir Florizel was an ex-officio member of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (K.S.A.C.) between 1944 and 1955, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Jamaica during 1944 and 1957.

Sir Florizel was born on September 25, 1909, in Kingston, the son of the late Rev. Theophilus Glasspole, a Methodist Minister, and his wife, Florence (née Baxter). He was educated at the Buff Bay Infant School, the Central Branch Primary School, and Wolmer’s Boys’ School. He studied accountancy with the late Mr. R. A. Parkinson.
“The Governor-General married Ina Josephine Kinlocke (now Lady Glasspole), on July 7, 1934, and the couple has a daughter, Mrs. Sara Lou Mena.”

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.