BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE first Governor-General of the twin-island of St. Kitts and Nevis, Sir Clement Arrindell, GCMG, GCVO, QC, passed away yesterday (Mar. 27) at age 79.
According to the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, Erasmus Williams, Dr. Douglas, who is currently in Canada on official business, was informed of Sir Clement’s death and expressed his “deep sadness and sincere condolences”.
He also stated that Prime Minister Douglas would be issuing a full statement today.
Born to George and Hilda Arrindell on April 19, 1931, Sir Clement, in his formative years, had attended a private school and the then Basseterre Boys School before graduating from the St. Kitts Grammar School in 1949.
He had displayed a passion for law and was admitted to Lincoln’s Inn, London in 1956 and after graduation was called to the Bar in England and St. Kitts in 1958.
Between 1949 and 1956, Sir Clement worked as a civil servant and went into private legal practice from 1958 until 1964 when he was appointed an acting magistrate in St. Kitts-Nevis; a position which was confirmed in 1966.
In 1978, he was appointed acting Puisne Judge of the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court in Montserrat with additional responsibilities for the British Virgin Islands, and was confirmed in that position in 1980 until his appointment as Governor of St. Kitts and Nevis in the following year.
Sir Clement was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and was appointed Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis when the Federation gained its independence from Britain on September 19, 1983.
He served in that distinguished position until his retirement in 1996.
The management and staff of SKNVibes join with the Prime Minister and the nation in offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sir Clement Arrindell on his passing.
