A GREAT PATRIOT LAID TO REST

In the early hours of October 14, Ralph Joseph Kelshall, one of this country's most distinguished sons of the soil, passed away at the age of 89.

He was born in Port of Spain in 1908 and shortly afterward moved to San Fernando with his father, the late Honourable TM Kelshall.

From his earliest years he showed a keen interest in the Boy Scout movement and after rising up through the various grades became a scoutmaster. It was in this capacity that he became the only person in Trinidad and Tobago, indeed the Caribbean, to be awarded the prestigious Silver Cross for Gallantry, when at considerable risk to his own life he performed a heroic rescue tin Staubles Bay inn 1922.

He headed Trinidad and Tobago's contingents to the international jamborees at Jamaica in 1952 and in England in 1957, as well as being the camp chief of the Trinidad World Jamborees in 1932 and 1961. He was twice awarded the Silver Acorn, before he became the first National Scout Commissioner in 1972 and was awarded the highest scouting decoration of the Golden Poui.

Such was his passion for scouting that on his retirement after 60 years of service, he began again with the formation of a Cub Scout troop.

During the Second World War, Kelshall became the area authority in charge of the civil defence of San Fernando and the country's oilfields. This began with his small team of Rover Scouts working alongside the police, carrying out anti-submarine patrols in a small boat in the Gulf of Paria. This led to his being invested with the responsibility for the training, readiness and command of the southern civil defence organization, involving some 5,000 people. He was constantly cited for this outstanding efficiency, which was held up as an example to all other civil defence organizations in the country. It was his intense patriotism and sense of duty that influenced both his sons and grandson to choose military careers in the Defence Force of an independent Trinidad and Tobago, as well as his later interest I the military museum.

Alongside his abiding passion for the Boy Scout movement, Ralph also became a member of the San Fernando Borough Council, becoming Deputy Mayor of the town. He followed his father's footsteps in his association with Naparima College, eventually becoming chairman of the board of governors. He was also involved with several other charities and voluntary organizations and was chosen to represent the United Kingdom at the 1954 Unesco conference in Cuba.

In recognition of his outstanding voluntary contribution to the town, Kelshall was invested with the San Fernando medal of Honour in 1973. This was followed by the award of the Chaconia Medal in 1969.

He was employed with Trinidad Leaseholds, later Texaco Trinidad Ltd. and today Petrotrin, completing well over 40 years with the company. He became the company's executive housing officer. His achievements led to his being seconded to the government as a specialist-housing consultant from 1970 to 1973.

Throughout his life Ralph was deeply religious and became closely associated with the Methodist Church, as had his father and grandfather before him. He became a lay preacher and then the Senior Lay Officer of the church.

He married the late Doreen Kelshall, nee Dyer. His passing is mourned by his sons Gaylord Kelshall TTCG Ret., and Commodore Richard Kelshall TTCG, along with his daughter Karen Phillpot. He was the grandfather of Robert, Dominic, Guenevere, Dandyse, Simone, Anthony, Tricia-Lee, Brent and Jason, and great-grandfather of Cassilina, Ariel and Areesa.

During his remarkable life, Ralph Kelshall set standards and influenced literally thousands of young people who are today the leaders in all aspects of our society. His example made him a role model for all to follow in the service of our country and we will miss this great son of the soil.

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