Officer and gentleman laid to rest

The embodiment of an officer and a gentleman, a soldier by profession as well as a dedicated soldier in the army of the Lord, a stickler for detail whose mantra was “let’s make it happen” when it came to implementing projects.

Those were some of the sentiments expressed about Major Lubin Austin Robinson Charleston Maxwell, known to his loved ones as Lubin or Charlie, at an emotional farewell service held at the St Michael’s Cathedral today, before he was laid to rest.

Maxwell, who served in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) for more than 30 years, was remembered as one who symbolised all the qualities expected of a soldier in terms of his selfless service, discipline and honesty; and one who always gave his best and inspired his charges to do better.

Reference was also made to his love of music, seen in him helping to form a cadet band in Dominica and Montserrat, and being a founding member of the local choral singing group, the Myriad Singers with John Bryan and Jerome Clarke, although he had no formal musical training.

Major Maxwell served as an engineer in the BDF, and was responsible for renovations the army carried out at the Geriatric Hospital when it adopted that facility. He also oversaw projects at the Challenor School and Deacons Primary School, which were undertaken by the BDF. Additionally, as a lifelong member of the St Michael’s Cathedral, he supervised extensive renovation work at that church.

Sister-in-law Julia Beckles, reflecting on his life, said: “He was contracted to work in Dominica at one time and served as a eucharistic minister, and he touched so many lives there people still refer to him as Reverend Maxwell. He was always willing to help, was always immaculately attired, and he transported members of the clergy to the late Prime Minister Professor Owen Arthur’s funeral without asking for any compensation.”

Anglican Bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell, described his cousin as “a goodly gentleman who was called to be Christ’s soldier and servant until the very end, and we thought that one day he would actually become a priest”, adding that Charlie had given him wise counsel since he took up his role as Bishop a year and a half ago.

Dean of the St Michael’s Cathedral Jeffrey Gibson spoke about the more than 50 years the late soldier had served in the Cathedral.

“He first joined the church at four years old, and eventually became the chief server. Sometimes he even slept in the church to ensure that the building was secure, and was always willing to listen to other people’s ideas and was prompt with his feedback if any suggestions were made to him,” he recalled.  (DH)