Remembering Sir Ellis Clarke

He pursued his tertiary education at London University where he obtained his LLB (Bachelor of Law degree). He was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn, London in 1941.

Not long after his return to Trinidad and Tobago, Ellis Clarke was called to the Bar in his homeland, engaging in private practice from 1941-1954.

Between 1954 and 1962 Ellis Clarke held several posts in the Colonial Government: Solicitor General, Deputy Colonial Secretary, Attorney General and Constitutional Adviser to the Cabinet. After the attainment of Independence, Ellis Clarke became a foreign diplomat, holding numerous posts between 1962 to 1976, sometimes simultaneously, including Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

He was an ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago to the United States and Mexico. He was also Trinidad and Tobago’s Representative on the Council of the Organisation of American States. He also held the post of Chairman of BWIA from 1968 to 1973. He was appointed Governor-General by Her Majesty the Queen of England in 1972, and assumed duties on January 31, 1973.

Upon proclamation of Republican status on September, 1976, the post of Governor-General became obsolete. Following a meeting of the Electoral College, as provided by the Constitution, Ellis Clarke was elected unopposed as President, becoming the first President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – an office he held until 1987.

Ellis Clarke was involved in the draft Constitution, culminating in his attendance at the Marlborough House Conference from May 28 to June 8, 1962.

He was bestowed the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1960 and made a Knight Bachelor (Kt Bachelor) in 1963. He was one of the first to be awarded this country’s then highest honour, the Trinity Cross (now known as the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) in 1969.

He was married to Lady Ermyntrude Clarke (1921 – 2002) for almost 50 years. They had three children: Peter Ellis Clarke, Margaret-Ann and Richard (who died as a young child). Sir Ellis also has four grandsons: John, Michael, Alexander and David, and one granddaughter, Katrina.

Ellis Clarke was one of six experts worldwide asked to submit reports to Australia’s Republic Advisory Committee in 1993 detailing his country’s experience in moving from a constitutional monarchy to a republic

On November 24, 2010, Clarke suffered a massive stroke. He died on December 30, 2010, two days after his 93rd birthday. Sir Ellis was laid to rest on January 7, 2011. A private funeral was held at the Church of the Assumption on Maraval Road in Port-of-Spain. Both his living children as well as his four grandsons gave tributes. Following the private funeral, a State Funeral was held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts Building.

A procession through Port-of-Spain followed the service. Sir Ellis’ coffin, draped in a Trinidad and Tobago flag, was set atop a cannon and pulled by a military vehicle. The procession concluded at Laperouse Cemetery, where he was interred.