Saturday 20th January 2018 at the Abundant Life Assembly,  Haynes Hill,

Bank Hall, St.Michael, Barbados.

 The Funeral of  Edmund  Errol Bradshaw.BSM,

Director General of the Barbados Red

Cross Society.

         Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, Governor General of Barbados paying her respect  while looking at the  body of Mr. Edmond E. Bradshaw, BSM, Director General of the Barbados Red

Cross Society.

View unedited  pictures  by clicking here …….

……..

A Tribute from the Barbados Boy Scouts Association

             John Peter Read states that “Memories are there to remind us of things that have gone before.” Helen Steiner Rice penned the words “Time can’t destroy its beauty, for as long as memory lives, years can’t erase the pleasure that the joy of friendship gives.”

      Finally the founder of the great Scout Movement, Lord Robert Baden Powell states  that we must “try to leave this world a little better than you found it and, when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling, that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.”

       It would seem to all of us in the Barbados Boy Scouts Association, that Edmond was trying to bring life to the immortal words of the three writers. For there was

never a time when one could have doubted his commitment to the national

Association, for there, in simple form he shone brilliantly as he sought to add his voice and worth to the administration of this organization. It is for that cause – the cause of giving so much of his time in a volunteer organization to assist the male youth of our country that I consider it an honour to share this tribute on the behalf of both the uniform and lay membership of the Barbados Boy Scouts Association.

In whatever role we knew him, from whatever vantage point, he stood apart as someone special.

         Edmond served for many years as the Honorary Secretary of the Association. If  truth be told, I cannot put a number to the years but individuals have indicated to me that it is clearly over twenty five years. His special quiet leadership in preparing the minutes for the Executive meetings and the Annual General Meetings showed the passionate side of his involvement. For one can rest assured that he would be there clearly more than thirty minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting in order to make sure that all the systems were in place for a successful evening.

         This morning I stand to say among other things that it was indeed a privilege for us as scouting personnel to have been a part of Edmond’s life. Although for some of us it was much too short, we yet consider it with thanksgiving to the Master Scout that he loaned Edmond to us for many years to showcase the determined, visionary, collaborative and caring person who loved life and all that it offered. He always reflected the tranquil aura which suggested that he was a man utterly at peace with himself and in this he was both remarkable and admirable. The shock of his death is a very hard reminder of mortality but it again reminds us as Scouts of the great lesson of his well lived life: that to leave this place a bit better than you

have found it is perhaps the greatest epitaph.

           Just before his death, the national executive was preparing its Christmas Social where it is certain that Edmond would have been there sitting around the table and chatting with smiles abounding. Now, whenever we meet, whether at our socials or at the meetings, a void will be present but the memories of his work will live on.

          The Barbados Boy Scouts Association recognized his work, contribution and worth in its national Scout Awards. Edmond was presented with the second highest scout award a lay member can receive in Scouting – THE SILVER COCONUT.

           One can remember him as he beamed on receiving such recognition. For him it was a very happy occasion and for us it was extremely pleasing for us to recognize his commitment.

         We share the loss of a good friend. We will certainly miss him and his invaluable

advice and the capacity to source assistance for the Scouting association. I close with this poem.

          Remember Me      

Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow,

But remember me in every tomorrow.

Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles,

I’ve only gone to rest a little while.

Although my leaving causes pain and grief,

my going has eased my hurt,

and given me relief.

So dry your eyes and remember me,

not as I am now,

but as I used to be.

Because, I will remember you all,

and look on with a smile.

Understand in your hearts,

I’ve only gone to rest a little while.

As long as I have the love of each of you,

I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.

On the behalf of our President and Chief Scout Sir Marston Gibson, our Chief

Commissioner Dr. Nigel Taylor and all the members of the Barbados Boy Scouts  Association, we say, Rest now Edmond and thank you for your invaluable service to our Association. We joyfully thank you for your goodness towards us as a National Association for the youth of our country. May our Great Friend, Our Master Scout and Master of Men, Jesus Christ Our Lord receive you in his arms.

Rest in Peace Honorary Secretary and many thanks for your service.