February 2001

• Colonels Taking Their Final Salute

Colonels Taking Their Final Salute

Two Colonels, their combined careers spanning over 65 years, recently took their final salute as they completed their last working day in office before proceeding on their terminal leave. The two stalwarts are Colonel Bernard Blake and Colonel John Barnett.

Colonel Blake completed his career as the Defence Adviser to the United Kingdom and Colonel Barnett as the Colonel General Staff at the Headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Force. Their final days in office were 02 January and 26 of January 2001, respectively. During their military service they both have woven a path that any serving officer would be proud to make their own. Their career took them through key appointments to the highest appointment of the Force, that of Chief of Staff, both having acted as Chief of Staff on numerous occasions, when the substantive Chief of Staff had to be away from office.

Colonel Blake’s career spans over 36 years. He joined the Jamaica Defence Force in August 1964 and was sent on officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom. He was granted a commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant in July 1966. His promotions proceeded smoothly. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in February 1967, Captain in January 1970, Major October 1974, Lieutenant Colonel in December 1984 and Colonel in October 1990.

Colonel Blake successfully attended many courses: the Royal Army Pay Corps Training Centre in Winchester, United Kingdom; Defence Services Staff College India; Defence Security Assistance Management Foreign Purchaser Course at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, USA.

He served in various areas, covering command and administrative appointments. He served as a Company Commander and Second-in-Command of an Infantry Battalion, the 1^st Battalion the Jamaica Regiment. His major command was as the Commanding Officer of the Headquarters Intelligence Unit. However, his greatest mark, was made perhaps, in the areas of administration and finance. He served as the Staff Officer Finance, Staff Officer Administration, and Colonel Adjutant Quartermaster, all of which are appointments at the Headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Force, with Force-wide responsibilities. It was as the Colonel Adjutant Quartermaster that he also, from time to time, was given the responsibility to act as Chief of Staff. He later served overseas as the Defence Adviser to the United Kingdom.

"Mistakes cost lives," is a phrase that was commonly repeated by Colonel Blake. His serious approach to matters of the Force made him a well admired senior officer. His leadership skills were often demonstrated in strong decision-makings. Colonel Blake had a forceful personality but he was also a jovial officer. After working hours, it was his pleasure to socialize with his subordinates who now hold good memories of him for his kindness to them.

As a Captain, in 1970, Colonel Blake married Joanna at the Garrison Chapel in Up Park Camp. Their marriage produced four sons and includes a pair of twins. Colonel Blake is from the nation’s capital, Kingston and is a graduate from an all-boys school, St George’s College.

Colonel John Barnett

Colonel John Barnett served in the Jamaica Defence Force for a period of 31 years. He first enlisted in the National Reserve in July 1968, where he served until November 1969, when he resigned to join the Regular Force.

He was then sent on officer training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, United Kingdom, on completion of which, he was granted a Commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant in May 1970. His promotions followed steadily; to Lieutenant in November 71; Captain, November 77; Major, November 1982; Lieutenant Colonel, March 87; and Colonel, May 1995.

Colonel Barnett attended his development courses in the United Kingdom. He completed both the Platoon Commander’s Battle Course and the Infantry Commander’s Course at the School of Infantry at Warminister and his senior staff course at the Army Staff College, Camberley.

Colonel Barnett distinguished himself as a Commander. His main command appointments was as the Commanding Officer of the 1^st Battalion the Jamaica Regiment and later, the Support and Services Battalion. His command skills took him to Grenada. For his role in Operation Urgent Fury he was awarded the Medal of Honour for General Service.

Colonel Barnett also held major appointments in the Force Headquarters. He served first as the Staff Officer Operations and Training, later as the Colonel Adjutant Quartermaster with responsibility for the Force administration and budget, until his last assignment as the Colonel General Staff with responsibility for the operational commitments of the Force.

Colonel Barnett is remembered as a great Commander, "full of humour". As newly trained soldiers joined his Company (Alpha Company, 1^st Battalion), they trembled with terror as they mindfully relived the horrifying stories about ” Death Barnett", as he was called, recounted them during their recruit training by the training staff. One soldier recalled that as they stood on the Parade Square being inspected by the then Captain Barnett, one soldier made the error of scratching his face. On seeing him, Captain Barnett shouted, ‘Don’t scratch lad,” the young soldier fainted instantly!

However, Colonel Barnett’s great humour soon endeared his soldiers to him, transforming their fears into appreciation and respect. As an Officer Commanding and as a Commanding Officer, Colonel Barnett’s ‘Orders’ (trial of soldiers under his command) soon became a ‘popular’ rallying point for the men. They would gather near his office to hear his shouts of reprimand which would be later repeated in the Mess hall with much humour. His shouts of, "You goon … you bloody buffoon" became so known, that amongst themselves the Colonel became known as "The Goon". However, there was a serious side to his orders and the soldiers who were found guilty knew that his punishment would be no less than 14 days Confinement to Barracks, with seven days pay taken away. They soon had a sign posted over the Colonel’s door, ‘This way to 14 days CB or seven days pay’. The Colonel took the sign in good faith and it remained over his door.

Colonel Barnett had a father’s heart for his men and so became the surrogate father for many. However, the Colonel had his personal family. While a Lieutenant, in 1973, he married Beverley at the Anglican Chapel in Newcastle and their marriage produced two daughters. Colonel Barnett is from Moneague in St Ann, and he attended the Ferncourt High School in that parish.

The JDF bids them fond farewell, thanks them for their many years of dedicated service. They have set a high standard for those that follow in their tracks. Forward!