Government urged to assist family of former Dominican diplomat, Arden Shillingford

Joshua Francis

Parliamentary representative for Roseau South, Joshua Francis, has called for the government to assist the family of the late Arden Shillingford.

Shillingford, a former Dominica High Commisioner to the United Kingdom, passed away on the 4th of January, 2019 at the age of 82.

Francis said that given “these hard times,” even if he does not qualify based on the existing rules and rules and regulations, the government of Dominica should still assist Shillingford’s family.”

“As you know burying a loved one is not cheap nowadays and it would only be fair, right, equitable and just that the family obtains some kind of assistance to bury the gentleman because we have to recognize our heroes, we have to recognize people who make contributions to Dominica,” Francis maintained.

Shillingford’s wife, Maudline, said the former diplomat was a very humble, caring and hardworking man who showed interest and gave his all in what he was doing but wasn’t treated fairly after all he had done for his country.

She said when he returned to Dominica it was as if he never existed and was not recognized for all his hard work.

“I remember he had to travel a lot because being Ambassador to Europe, he had to be going for different meetings and for Dominica, he really worked hard and when he came back to Dominica and it was as though he never existed,” she lamented. “Arden Shillingford was nobody. He was sick. They knew he was sick and even for Independence, not even mention he got and it disturbed him, after working for Dominica so hard for all those years.”

The bereaved Mrs. Shillingford pointed to some of the areas in which her husband contributed to Dominica’s development.

“Arden was the one to who equip the Princess Margret Hospital with the first chiller to store the bodies, he was the one who went about begging to furnish the hospital wards with beds, the kitchen and the laundry room, the Grotto home, plus all the clinics he built around the country,” she said.

Francis added that more recognition needs to given to those who have contributed greatly towards Dominica’s advancement through their hard work and dedication.

“We live in a world where people are very selfish and when we have humble servants who have put all out to assist Dominica, not just a village but the entire Dominican public, we have to recognize them; we have to set good precedent in the country and the precedent must go across all political and religious lines.”

The Roseau South MP described Shillingford as the “epitome of what you call good service to a country” and said that he should be recognized at least through tokens to the family and by moral and spiritual support.

For his efforts Arden Shillingford was awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II.

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24 Comments

  1. oliver2
    January 16, 2019

    So sorry to hear of Mr. Shillingford’s death.
    He was a very kind, humorous man who loved his country and served it well.
    Condolences to his family.

    • January 17, 2019

      My Father served his country well, too. Did he get a state funeral? My family buried our father who art in heaven. So, what is the deal? We all served our country well. Man, get a life. Like the man is God.

      • Paula E Toussaint
        February 20, 2020

        My deepest condolences to the family nd friends of Mr. Arden Shillingford. May his soul RIP.

        Paula E Toussaint

  2. mine
    January 16, 2019

    Jousha should not look for fame on behalf of a man’s death, it should be a private matter between the family and the Government.

  3. RastarMarn
    January 15, 2019

    So DNO why allyou putting Joshua picture up there like the article is about him why didn’t allyou run a piece in recognition of the poor fellow that passed away nuh, allyou publishing this crapolla!!!

    Ok so Skerrit find 200 million dollars to give the Scotish fellow but he cannot do something to create a trust fund for the fallen soldiers whom represented Dominica over the years,,,

    C’mon man Editors allyou cannot do a research and find out who the Poor fellow is and do a good recognition article on the Pardner afterall man!!!

    And Joshua self now the Prdner Past away now you coming and making Noise den,,, Is not when the Pardner was alive there should be his recognition afterall man!!!

    ADMIN: We continue to make efforts to attain a photo of the deceased. Once we have one we will update the article.

  4. Annon
    January 15, 2019

    Anyone who has lived in DA knows that it is not a nation of grateful people, but of jealous people.

  5. Dr Clayton Shillingford
    January 15, 2019

    My very personal and deepest condolences to Arden Shillingford’s family.. I would be remiss if I did not add my voice to those who knew of Arden’s contribution..to the nation as high Commissioner in the UK and other contributions.. Arden has been a very good friend and associate from our very young boy hood days in Upper Lane.. WE should tone down the crude political comments.. It throws a poor light on the character of our people when the comments are not appropriate or justified

    • January 16, 2019

      Dr Clayton Shillingford January 15, 2019 “WE should tone down the crude political comments– It throws a poor light on the character of our people when the comments are not appropriate or justified”

      Clayton, your thought above is exactly what I was thinking as I read the news article.

      Here we have a whole list of the good service of Mr. Arden Shillingford on behalf of Dominica, but the news about it only comes alive when he is dead–worse again that it comes from someone who is a politician, of the opposing side od of government; I am sorry to say that I wonder what is his gain for doing so.

      For when we speak boldly about Dominica’s social and economic development, using at present time, the term “AT THE END OF A PRECIPICE” are we not also taking all of the good services of the “Patriots” to that unfortunate level with us? And if so, what is good about calling for those recognitions after the patriot dies?

  6. Historian
    January 15, 2019

    Francis is a genuine representative with respect for past contributors to our island ….it is shameful that after the PM called on dominicans to respect our past leaders as a sign of maturity after 40 years of independence that his followers still remain in th he guttedr of ignorance .
    Arden shillingford se5ved and a permanent secreatary for mb any years was a high commissioner in the court of st james in London and was considered a lead eastern Caribbean diplomat
    He was Dominica first Ambassador following independence .
    He served the OJ administration as well and was a major player in the aid program after hurricane David.
    It is well known the this government never respected the pop art leaders and other dignitaries due to ignorance of our history
    Thank god that the PM remembered to respect ..PM.-PJ …OJ and James ……with promises at independence and Christmas address
    Hope they get what he promised with the speed he promised….we are in 2019…..!!

  7. Dixie Normas
    January 15, 2019

    Ask not what you country can do for you but what you can do for your county. Dominicans to like recondition when it was your job in the first place.

    • out of south city
      January 15, 2019

      Your comment is irrelevant. That shows that you do not even have a heart. We have to put all politics aside and give recognition to all the hard work that Mr. Shillingford did on the behalf of our nation. How can we ever go forward as a nation with our small-mindedness, ignorance, hatred and unforgiveness? Dominica is just TOO SMALL for all of the politics that has festered malice and hatred that have become SORES in our bones like CANCER. We are not practicing our fore-parents examples but rather we have taken over from those who enslaved them. We have become OPPRESSORS of our own race and have forgotten what was laid down for us by our fore-parents. It is such a SHAME that as a nation we can’t acknowledge the good deeds of those who played a major role in our nation. To the family and friends of Mr. Shillingford, I speak peace, healing, comfort and wholeness to you at such a time like this.

      • Dixie Normas
        January 16, 2019

        what politics i talk?? Dominicans too like to recognition for a job they are paid to do. he travel on taxpayers money to do the work of the government. get how much perks with it too. in his retirement i still don’t get why my money should be used to give him more comfort. Their are people homeless after maria. people don’t know where their next meal is coming from or cant rebuild their roof because their place of work shut down? and i should want my money wasted to put this man 6feet under in a $5’000.00 casket??? if he needed medical care or housing assistance i can understand but not a burial sorry

      • Richard
        February 1, 2020

        The man was working making his big money I am sorry to hear of his death my condolences to his family, everyone has contributed to their country one way or the order, he should have saved up for his funeral etc. These people are looking for fancy homes and luxury thing. What does his family needs again

  8. max
    January 15, 2019

    Well mam….my condolences….but while he was working hard…..he got paid. The travels were great at the time…i guess. At retirement the best a retiree can have is family love. Imagine the Public service remembering to check all retirees…..they all worked hard.

  9. Michael
    January 15, 2019

    I support the call for support to the family of Arden Shillingford. This man served Dominica very well over many years. Besides serving as an ambassador, he also served as a Permanent Secretary.

    My condolences to his dear family.

    • January 16, 2019

      You support what call? Man get a life.

      • Merina McKenzie
        January 16, 2019

        The man was been paid a big salary in addition to all those perks.
        Housing allowance etc.
        Where is his mkney👋🏿

  10. January 15, 2019

    Worry about your family, man, and stop looking for recognition. His family should be the one burying him and not the Government. Every person who works in the Government service should later be buried by the Government. Are you crazy, Joshua? Get a life, man

    • mine
      January 16, 2019

      You are so true.

  11. seriously?
    January 15, 2019

    All you had to do was made the request…why publish? Looking for fame? Every act of seeming kindness have to be put out to the media?

  12. Ibo France
    January 15, 2019

    The argument put forward by the MP and the wife of the deceased for assistance and recognition of Mr. Shillingford is compelling. We, in the Caribbean, have a tendency to treat our unsung heroes with disregard. This cannot be right. Having said that, I’ll like so see the renaming of the PMH in honor of a born Dominican doctor or nurse who has given yeoman service to the Ministry of Health.

    • January 15, 2019

      Man, get a life. You need to be living in France.

      • DD
        January 15, 2019

        @ DS Really??? he is Dominican

      • Ibo France
        January 16, 2019

        @ds
        I hope your initials don’t stand for dunce and stupid. I will really like to live in France, at least, temporarily. Have you ever heard this sentence? See Paris and die.

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