Bless Britain: A Caribbean Coup d'Etat

By George Hodge

Bless Britain – A Caribbean Coup d’Etat, a true saga of centuries of neglect suffered by a unique set of Caribbean islanders, culminating in the eventual invasion of Anguilla - "the mouse that roared!" - by the British lion and told through poetic pieces from the unpublished 5-Act, 23-scene (modeled after Shakespeare's) play with colour commentary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: George Hodge
• Release date: Dec 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310920295

George Hodge

Born in Anguilla in the Caribbean in 1942, I have been lover of words from very early, playing with them in the dirt, on sand and on all types of paper, including brown cement bag.During my university years (1963-66) in Barbados, I was lucky to get short stories published in the leading newspaper. Titles include “The crane lift which was to be his last” and “The day the topless came to town”.In 1970, I completed a full novel with the same name; and, proceeded to write the play shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, both manuscripts were lost in a hurricane.If you google Anguilla Spoken Word, from 1:42 into the video, you will see me, in my golden years, breaking my public speaking phobia, I being the second guest presenter.I invite you to read and enjoy my salvaged poetic pieces. If you feel satisfied, please spread the word; and, also look out very soon for my biography and other works.

Book preview

BLESS BRITAIN

A Caribbean Coup d’Etat

By George Hodge

Table of Contents

Endless Petitions to Mother Britain

The First Coup

Disenchantment with Britain

First Invasion Attempt

Second Invasion Attempt

Sea Invasion After-joy

Times of Joy

Barbados Meeting

Leader of the Revolution

Anguilla’s First (UDI) Referendum

Britain’s Caribbean Rhodesia

After the UDI (1967)

Days of Despair

Second Referendum

The British Bypass

Precursor to the Real (British) Invasion

Operation Sheepskin

The Real (British) Invasion

Britain’s Easiest Victory

God Bless Britain

Turncoat Commissioner Lee

The Anguilla Act 1971 & Return of Tony Lee

1976 Constitution

Formal Secession

Summary – Anguilla since 1980

Developments since 2015

Endless Petitions to Mother Britain

When King Sugar finally died in the early 1800s in Anguilla, the island lost its self-governing status and was administered directly from St Christopher (St Kitts), some 70 miles away.

In 1825 itself and throughout the years that followed, the islanders complained, to no avail, to Mother Britain which they blamed for neglecting them.

Finally, 140 years later, Britain decided to confer associate statehood status (semi-independence) upon its tri-state colony, ignoring the pleas of the Anguillians who had built up much fear of and resentment for Colonel Robert Bradshaw in St Kitts.

They only too well remembered his threat in 1956 to turn the island into a desert.

That year, he had solicited and lost their support to elect his candidate in Anguilla, in his bid to get his political party to form the central government; and, though he did succeed, he had become very vengeful, holding back financial aid and requisite infrastructure for the island.

Many did not know exactly what they feared more about him - his notorious Breadfruit Tree Boys; or, the supernatural powers he was rumoured to have. They just did not trust him; and, so they pleaded with their Mother Country:

To England, we went;

And, she, her Minister sent

To assess the situation

And report to his nation!

Said Mr Hall to Mrs Hart,

"I saw them all; and, for my part,

I see no reason why

They should not be made to comply!"

And, so, determined from the start

To push us into the ropes,

The beautiful