IT IS a good idea to document one's life experiences for others to read. It is an even better idea to have a professional edit the written material prior to publication.
Bernard Westcarr, author of Memoirs of a Jamaican Peasant Boy says: "This is my story written the only way I know how to, in language and style inherent in me."
Memoirs in an interesting and inspiring story, interwoven with wonderful recollections of life in rural Jamaica in the 1940s and 50s. It relates in detail how this humble Jamaican country boy achieved success and prosperity in England. But, unfortunately, the book is marred by spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors in every chapter.
Over 128 pages and 20 chapters. Westcarr relates his ancestry and formative years at Brown's Hall in north-west St. Catherine, his college years at Dinthill, employment experience in Jamaica, emigration and sojourn in England and the other experiences that have shaped his life and that of his family.
Westcarr affirms that he has had a "varied but enterprising, adventures, exciting and gratifying existence so far". (sic).
His paternal ancestors came from England while those on his maternal side were from Africa.He grew up with his grandmother 'Gertie' in Brown's Hall, but she was not the only influence in his life as "it was almost an unwritten rule within the village that any adult could chastise (a child) if you overstepped the mark, such as whistling in public, walking with your hands in your pockets, going around with your shirt not tucked into your trousers or your hair unkempt."
OBEYED ORDERS
Children of that era learned to obey orders without questioning them and grew up under "archaic and Victorian rules" that Westcarr feels, contributed to their self-esteem and self-worth.
He relates that each day before and after going to elementary school he had to perform many "menial duties" and clearly remembers his teacher in first class who was Miss Louise Jones from Manchester who was "very strict but fair".
From Brown's Hall School he went on to Dinthill Practical Training Centre where, for the first time in his life, he was made aware of a "class structure" in Jamaica. He, however, did well at Dinthill both in academics and in sports, and after graduation in 1957 went on to work as time-keeper/overseer at Robinson Brothers in Vere, Clarendon.
EMIGRATED TO ENGLAND
In October 1960 when he was 23 years old, he emigrated to England. There he married Millicent "a wingless angel with an exquisite smile", raised a family and worked as an engineer at RHP Aerospace for over 30 years.
Westcarr encountered racism and discrimination in England but instead of becoming embittered and hostile, he became involved positively in race relations and a campaigner against the twin monsters.
He was nominated to become a magistrate and appointed and sworn in as the first black magistrate in Gloucester County where he lived. In 1979 he sat on the bench for the first time. He served as a JP for 22 years and during that time was privileged to meet Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. He also served as School Governor at Finlay Primary School.
GREAT EXPERIENCES
Westcarr has had many great experiences. The Jamaican boy has grown into a well-respected man who is involved in the struggle to combat racism. In addition he is working to improve the quality of life for many in his native Jamaica by spearheading fund-raising for the basic and primary schools in Brown's Hall and assisting children from the area to attend high school.
Interwoven in these experiences was a once-in-a lifetime event he and his wife were invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in July 1996. Westcarr also received an Institute of Jamaican Nationals Heroes Award given by the Institute of Jamaican Nationals in the U.K. in October 2004.
But it has not been only hard work and struggle. He has taken the opportunity to travel. He has visited exotic Zimbabwe, sailed up the Zambezi River and seen the spectacular Victoria Falls. He has also visited the United States of America, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany and Malta.
Westcarr ends his memoirs with a poem:
Through God's grace I've come this far,
Through God's grace I've come this far,
By His promised mercies I pledge to continue,
And though I may not be seen by many to be a star,
Yet I will proceed along this earthly avenue.
Memoirs of a J'can Peasant Boy
Author: Bernard E. Westcarr
Reviewer: Barbara Nelson
