Kitch's final farewell

Kitchener's Funeral

Trinidad Guardian February 15, 2000
By MARLISE ANDREWS Guardian East Bureau

ARIMIANS lined the streets yesterday afternoon to catch a glimpse of Lord Kitchener's (Aldwyn Roberts) casket as it was driven through the streets of the eastern borough on an open van following the funeral service in Port-of-Spain.

Former police constable, Peter Diaz, dubbed "The New Flagman," carried the national flag in ahead of the motorcade.

The hearse arrived in Arima shortly after 3 pm and came to a halt at Kitchener Square, near the Arima Market.

Flowers from the service were then placed around the foot of Kitchener's bust by Arima Mayor Elvin Edwards, former Mayor Rose Janniere and chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, Jerry Narace.

Minutes later the casket was taken out and placed on the top of the van for the motorcade.

This was done as "Sugar Bum Bum" was played by the pan side, Arima Marsicans.

At the Santa Rosa RC Cemetery, thousands of people, some from as far as San Fernando, trampled on tombstones and grave sites trying to witness the burial.

It was almost impossible to get anywhere near the grave as people jostled one another for a space.

As Kitchener's family and some calypsonians began to arrive at the grave side, police officers cleared a path and tried to restore some semblance of order.

A few of Kitchener's hits, such as "Dance with me" and "The Bee's Melody," could be heard throughout the cemetery and had people dancing and clapping. It was "Mas in Arima" as moko jumbies came dressed as the Grandmaster while an Arima steel band, Pan on the Move, played some of his classics at the grave side.

The mood in the cemetery was far from sombre and was reminiscent of Carnival, the season that defined Kitch's career.

At the request of his family, Kitchener's body was not viewed at the grave side.

Surrounding his final resting place were his immediate family and some calypsonians, including a tearful Sparrow.

The sound of dirt hitting the coffin was audible at 4 pm, which meant that Kitchener was finally gone.

Mourners who had come from across the country said it was only love that had brought so many people to Arima to say goodbye to the greatest calypsonian of our time.

After he was buried, some calypsonians including M'ba (Gary Thomasos) suggested that the Grandmaster be given the Road March crown this year in honour of his outstanding career.

"Every band that crosses the stage should play a Kitchener tune so that he could win the Road March. The money received from that could be used to pay the hospital bills," he said.

Fellow Arimian Holly Betaudier said that the funeral was befitting the king Kitch was known to be: "His calypsos were unforgettable...long may they live."

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