Not being able to obtain the relevant literature from either the Central or National Heritage Library, it appears that the designing of the National Flag is proving to be a subject of uncertainty.

The Express tried to seek out information from a number of people who would have been around at the time but there are conflicting versions of the story.

Michael Anthony in his book, The Historical Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago, said, "it was attributed to Carlisle Chang."

Peter Bynoe and Carlisle Chang who were members of a committee formed back then, to come up with the design of the flag appear to agree that the committee was responsible for the flag.

However, said Chang, "in the short time we had to do it, I proposed a committee of seven to do it. The committee comprised Peter Bynoe, MP Alladin, Sybil Atteck, John Newell-Lewis, Dr. John Bullbrook, George Bailey and myself."

"We held meetings at Frederick Street during lunch time. I did the preparatory work each night but the final report was signed by all seven."

"The final paragraph suggested that all seven were responsible for it though not all the members showed up for meetings and the Government's position then was, the committee was responsible for the flag."

Peter Bynoe told the Express that a sub-committee was formed from the National Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs, to come up with the National Flag, Coat of Arms and Emblem. "That committee had people like Tom Cambridge, Andrew Carr, Carlisle Chang, MP Alladin, Danny Samaroo, Alston Huggins myself and a few others. We were then divided itno two groups, one for the design, layout and colours and the other for symbolism and heritage.

"The meetings were held in Knox Street at the Home Affairs Ministry.

"Everyone in the committee had their input but Carlisle did the final mockup. The design was essentially sent to the College of Herald in England for approval. It came back with changes and suggestions. We worked on the recommendations, the government gave approval and final sanctions and it was then registered with Herald."

However, there are others who claim that the flag was designed at the Baileys' home in Buller Street, Woodbrook.

One such person is Terry Evelyn who told us, "One morning, Andrew Carr came to the Baileys' home (I was there at the time) and requested George, Albert and I to come up with the design of the flag."

"We all came up with the colours, remember Relics of Egypt?"

"Andrew came back the following morning to collect the designs."

"I placed a steelpan in the dead centre, George had a humming bird."

"Eventually it was George's design that was taken to Dr. Eric Williams "but the bird was removed because of Eric", said Evelyn.

Also supporting the hummingbird story was Albert Bailey who said, "the flag had controversy. When George put the Humming Bird on it, at the centre of the black, it was taken off because Eric (Dr. Eric Williams) said that Australia had a smaller hummingbird than us".

Bailey then opted to take the conventional approach when he said "in light of the three heads (George Bailey, Carlisle Chang and Mahmaud Alladin) forming the National Arts Committee, one will say the three of them came up with the flag. But George actually came up with the three colours. Eric had an input in that he gave the full meaning of the concept."

Another senior citizen, Elton Clark recalled, "From my memory, George had a lot to do with the designing of the flag. There was a group of people in the gallery of the (Bailey) house who came up with it. The flag was George."

Two other younger Baileys also had their say on the matter. Hazel Davis, George's sister insisted, "As far as I know, George is the sole designer. I would have been young at the time but my mother always reminded us of that."

Aldric Bailey contended: "All through my primary school days at Romilly's Prep on Ana Street in Woodbrook, I was taught that my uncle George designed the national flag. From standard one with Ms. La Fleur right up to fifth standard we knew that."

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