BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MOUNTED in the halls of the Basseterre Fire Station, a picture of the late Fire Sub-Officer Roy Alexander Hensley serves to ever-remind of the sterling contribution he made to the institution and the source of encouragement and strength he was to his colleagues.
Hensley, who served as a fire officer at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport Fire Hall, departed this life on February 25 and was laid to rest some 11 days later.
His commitment to his profession, his characteristics as an upstanding member of society and his unassuming nature inspired his colleagues to unveil and mount his portrait within the walls of the Basseterre Fire Department.
Yesterday (Mar. 31), an unveiling ceremony took place at that location and was attended by the Minister of National Security Hon. Sam Condor, Special Advisor to Ministry of National Security Dr. Norgen Wilson, Permanent Secretary in that Ministry Astona Browne, Fire Chief Hester Rawlins, Deputy Fire Chief James Warner, family of the deceased and others.
More than six individuals rose to their feet to share their experiences, which, as they explained, were made considerably better and tolerable thanks to either the kind gestures or kind words of Hensley.
Leroy Benjamin Sr., Chaplin attached to the Federation’s security forces, recalled that he knew Hensley when he was yet tender-aged and had the opportunity to watch him blossom into manhood. He noted temperance was one of the distinguishing qualities that Hensley possessed.
“I have had the opportunity to watch Roy grow up…and for me, he was the top gun in terms of behaviour, in terms of mannerism, in terms of a fellow who knew how to conduct himself. For the many years I’ve spent around him, I don’t think there is anybody who I would say, in terms of good behaviour, could really match him. He was exemplary, he was special; I could never remember seeing him with a face change in terms of being upset about anything.”
The Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief spoke glowingly of the fallen fire officer, describing him as someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand and one who did not hesitate to participate in annual independence parades.
Minister Condor commended the President and members of the Fire and Rescue Welfare Association for the gesture and noted that it was a step in the right direction, especially since the Negro race is not known to honour their heroes.
“I read somewhere…the Negro race, the black race is that we don’t acknowledge and celebrate our heroes…The other races have heroes and they aspire to them. Black people, once people have served and passed, they dismiss them and that is why we don’t build as a great nation, as a great people. This (ceremony) is going against the tradition and I want to commend…
“Normally, when we hear the unveiling of plaques and portraits and so on, it is about Heads of State and Heads of Governments and heads of all (sorts) of things. But I know that what has made this country great – and this is a great country – is by ordinary folks like our fire officers doing extraordinary things. And from all that, I have heard and all that I know…the late Roy Hensley was an exemplary and a model fire officer, a model citizen.”
On behalf of the government and the people of St. Christopher and Nevis, Condor recorded appreciation “for (Hensley’s) contribution and his service to security the security forces of the country and to the nation on a whole”.
Hensley’s portrait was unveiled by his relatives and mounted by his father Urel Hensley, former Head of the Fire Services. Fire Sub-Officer Hensley’s portrait now hangs just inches below his father’s and both are said to have made sterling and unmatched contributions to the Federation’s security forces.
