Today, we pay tribute to Hartley Dottin, the man who raised the Barbados flag for the first time at the Garrison Savannah in November 1966. He has died at the age of 85.
He last spoke with Barbados TODAY in an interview in November 2021 when he welcomed the island’s transition to Republican status.
The following article first appeared in the November 29, 2021 edition of the Barbados TODAY Independence publication.
By Sandy Deane
Just as Hartley Dottin stood in salute some 55 years ago as the young Lieutenant of the Barbados Regiment who raised the ultramarine, gold and black national flag when the island renounced its colonial master, he beams with approval as it now fully severs ties after centuries of various forms of rule.
“It’s a proud day for me,” says the retiree, who is still actively lending a helping hand in any sphere he can, as he settles down to reflect on that historic night and the future of the island he dearly loves.
The now 83-year-old grew up in an era when Barbados had wooden buses which travelled both ways on Broad Street, and when street lights were turned on at dusk by personnel of the Barbados Light and Power Company who used long sticks to flick the switch on electric poles lining community roads.
“When I was growing up and we were at school, Barbados was a colony, and we moved from being in the raw state of a colony to having internal self-government. Then we moved from internal self-government to ministerial government and it was from that phase that we moved to the springboard for Independence.
“This is a journey; we have been through so many phases. Independence gave us that springboard to go. Our anthem says, ‘Upward and onward we shall go inspired, exalted, free and greater will our nation grow in strength and unity’.
“Republicanism is a natural progression from Independence. We have lots of questions remaining to answer there — how far should we go, how fast should we go, how far upward we should go? What are our strengths, how should we develop those strengths? Now we move towards republicanism… each and every one of us needs to be responsible citizens.”
Captain Hartley Dottin has died at age of 85.
Just as November 30, 1966, was an extraordinary night for Dottin, he believes November 30, 2021, is of equal significance for Barbados.
In fact, as remembered the buckets of rain that fell in 1966, he suggests it may very well have been torrents of blessings for Barbados’ decision to not only make its way into the world as an independent country then, but right down to today as the island becomes a republic.
“In 1966, it was rainy, it was wet and I think that was a blessing for us because I think we have sprung. The growth has been evident there, and it is not growth in one direction, it is growth in many directions.”
Drifting back to the historic night he recalls: “There was quite a lot of rain and The Garrison was flooded. We had intended to wear long white trousers; that had to be changed because of the weather. So then it was long khaki trousers; then we changed to short khaki trousers. It was soggy, the water was up to your ankles at The Garrison.
“My concern was the ropes usually would extend and swell when they got wet and it was very wet that night. I wondered whether the flags would stick on the pulley or whether they would go through.”
Dottin remembers Premier Barrow saying: “Best of luck to you.”
It was a good omen, as the Union Jack was successfully lowered while the Trident ascended, not just on the flag pole but in the hearts of all Barbadians.
“It is still so vivid to me and to lots of Barbadians. There was a euphoria about it. Everybody was excited, everybody was, ‘What is this independence about?’ We were already on the brink of negotiating terms and conditions for our own affairs and therefore it was just a continuum.
“And, therefore, there was no real change except people now coming to recognise that they now had their own individual responsibilities to look after. So, as independence gave us that leverage to freedom, it was freedom within the context of growth, performance, productivity and unity… and so I think it will continue as a republic that way.”
Dottin is particularly pleased to see the appointment of the island’s first President, Dame Sandra Mason, describing the development as a “really good move”.
He was, however, disappointed that consultations were somewhat insufficient and low-keyed. However, he urges Barbadians to be fully involved in upcoming talks.
What we have to do is look to make our own input into the discussion that will follow next year on the shape of republicanism that we will have. As in democracy there are many shapes and forms of democracy, with a basic principle of self-determination, so there are different shapes of republics as well, so how can we go about it, how can we operate to suit our own needs and all the aspirations of our own people?”
And so Dottin wants to see a country that produces more of its food, that upholds the long-held values and traditions that have served it well.
Moreover, he wants Barbadians to remain a people of integrity.
“We must so conduct our affairs that in a world of compromise, we make little to no contribution. If you stand for everything, you will fall for nothing.”
