George Rose 

Each DV abuse demonstrates one adult’s attempt at control over another and most usually presents when an offender seeks to coercively abuse another physically, emotionally, sexually, financially, socially or psychologically. Threats of violence almost always escalate over a period of time into uncontrolled behaviour – occurring both within the home and without.  

DV reports are not a rarity and any one of them can result in grave danger towards attending police officers in their capacity as first responders. None-the-less, in the broader context, officers must consider the manifestations of intent when conciliating a peaceful outcome between parties. Whilst avoiding assumptions, the officers must maintain a duty of care and protection towards the ‘established victim’ of the abuse. Equally, the criminal justice system, social services and health-care agencies play an important role in the final outcome/resolution.  

Here is one such report of domestic violence dealt with by the Police in 1968.              

Williams was followed into the station from the street by PC Brian Hanney who told him to sit down and it would be dealt with.

 P.C. Brian Hanney

Meanwhile, police were receiving reports of a stabbing incident at Clayhouse Inn and patrols were on the way to that location.

Sergeant Hilton Wingood and Constable Mike Caulkett arrived at the scene and were informed that a coloured female had been taken to King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) suffering with a stab wound to her chest. They were told that the culprit had earlier dashed from the Clayhouse night club saying he was going straight to the police station. The officers located and spoke to one witness, lawyer Walter Robinson, who had pulled Williams off the victim – his estranged wife Theresa Williams.

I said to Mrs. Williams, “Who did this to you?” 

She replied, “Ernest my husband. We argued.”

She further explained that she and her husband had been living apart for about six months and that when they had met at the Clayhouse that evening, they had talked and argued a little. He had written her a cheque for £20 and had then left the night club. When questioned further, Theresa confirmed that she was Jamaican, as was her husband and, importantly, that they were NOT then legally separated.

Whilst establishing the facts, Mrs. Williams told me that Ernest had approached her from behind and stabbed her in the center left chest. He had then withdrawn the knife and come at her again, hitting her in the forearm as she defended herself. She had not heard him speak when he took these actions.

It was at this point that Williams was fetched off her by a Walter Robinson. We also learned that another witness, Ludwig Cann, had taken the knife from out of Williams’ hand and had seen him rush out of the Clayhouse and jump in his car. Other observers reported seeing another knife inside his car on the floor. In his flight from the car park, Williams was seen to strike three other parked cars.

The victim’s only explanation for her husband having assaulted her was that he was jealous at seeing her socializing with other men.

In his presence, Constable Hill informed me of what Williams had earlier said to him when entering the station. 

I said, “Mr. Williams – I am Detective Constable Rose from the CID. It is my information that you have stabbed your wife, Theresa, who is now in the hospital. I understand that after this happened at the Clayhouse Inn you came straight here to the police station.” Willams stretched himself whilst still seated and put his arms out straight in front of him on the desk.

I continued, “I must tell you that you are not obliged to say anything to me but whatever you do say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence.” 

A. “I’ll say everything in court. I got nothing to say.”

Q. “Why did you do it her – will you tell me that?”

A. “I wanted her to die. I just did what had to be done. She should be dead man.”

Q. “Why?”

A. “I couldn’t take it no more.”

Q. “Will you make a statement?”

A. “When I see her lawyer Mr. Richards. I guess he’ll be satisfied. You’ve got all I’m saying.”

Q. “Where did you get the knife?”

A. “You got enough.”

Williams folded his arms and stared at me with a slight grin on his face.

He then asked me, “Is she dead? She should be dead man.”

I said to Williams, “It is my duty to arrest you for the attempted murder of your wife Theresa Williams at about 2.30am this morning at the Clayhouse Inn. You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so but what you do say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence.”

Williams replied, “I knew that.” He shrugged his shoulders, stood up and was then formally searched by PC Hill before lodging him in a police cell.

I then made notes of the above conversation and observations in my pocket book.

A search of Williams’ car parked outside the station revealed a clean knife which was found by PC Hill on the floor under the front seat. I took possession of this knife. The car was taken to the police compound at Prospect for further examination and safe keeping.

Williams’ general demeanour throughout our interaction was that of lethargy. He appeared to know quite well the seriousness of what he had done and appeared resigned to whatever was to come. He believed his actions were what had to be done and he seemed comforted by having accomplished them. He wanted to give his car to PC Hill because he thought he would not likely be using it again.

 P.C. Stanley Hill

At 5.30am I checked with hospital staff and learned that Mrs. Williams was still actively being attended and that additional surgical explorations would have to be carried out during the morning hours. I was informed that Mrs. Williams was comfortable and not in danger and that bleeding had been halted.

I typed a full night report on the matter for follow-up by daytime CID officers including the fact that witnesses Ludwig Cann and Walter Robinson had not yet come forward for interview. 

At 8.55pm that evening I interviewed female cabaret artist ‘Mitzy’ at the Clayhouse Inn. I was aware that other bottle dancers at the Clayhouse including ‘King Marryshow’ had been interviewed by other CID officers and statements had been recorded.

Williams was released on bail on the recognizance of two sureties of £250 each. A preliminary hearing into the alleged charge was set to begin on the following Wednesday, October 9.   Williams, is represented by Miss Shirley Simmons and has been living in Bermuda for the past seven years.

MURDER ATTEMPT CASE MAN FOR TRIAL

Pembroke man tried to murder wife – charge

On Wednesday, October 9, 1968 Ernest Augustus Williams, of Serpentine Road, Pembroke, was committed for trial in the Supreme Court on a charge of attempting to murder his estranged wife on September 21 in Devonshire Parish.

Those giving evidence in the [Long Form] preliminary inquiry before the Wor. R. H. Lownie were: 

Paul Brian Counsell, consultant surgeon; 

DC Andrew Philip Bermingham;

Waiter Nathanial Harvey Robinson, of Middie Road, Devonshire; 

Carl Desmond Donovan, resident medical officer at K.E.M.H.;

Theresa Icine Williams, also known as Barbara Williams of Cedar Hill, Warwick; 

Ludwig Vincent Cann, of Cherry Hill Park, Paget; 

Donald Galloway Gates, of Loyal Hill, Devonshire; 

Ernie Tyson, of Clayhouse Inn, Devonshire; 

William Kervin Richardson, of Cox’s Hill, Pembroke; 

PC Brian Hanney; 

PC Stanley Colin Hill; 

DC George Franklyn Rose, and

Det. Chief. Insp. John Joseph Sheehy. 

Williams was released on bail with two sureties of £250 each, and on the condition that he surrender his travel documents, and stay away from his wife.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE DROPPED BUT MAN GAOLED FOR STABBING WIFE

As reported by the RG on Tuesday, November 19, 1968  –

“A 31-year-old Jamaican, with tears in his eyes and his voice shaky, had told Chief Justice the Hon. Sir Myles Abbott in Supreme Court that he was sorry for stabbing his wife at the Clayhouse Inn on the night of September 21. A resident in the colony for the past seven years, Ernest Augustus Williams told the court: “I am very sorry for what took place that night, and it will never happen again.

Williams, a married man with three children, was before the court charged with attempting to murder his wife, Theresa, at the Clayhouse that night, or alternatively, with wounding her with intent to do her bodily harm. He pleaded guilty to the wounding charge, but denied the attempted murder count, and it was dropped by the prosecution."

In jailing Williams, the Chief Justice stated: 

“This case gives me a great deal of worry. The offence to which you pleaded guilty has a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. It is a very serious matter, indeed. You are fortunate that you are not here on a very much more serious charge. You might very easily, by what you did, have killed your wife, but I am happy for you, and especially for her, that you did not do that.”

“It is an offence which is regarded as most serious. I cannot do what you and your lawyer hope I might do,” Sir Myles told Williams. ‘‘You have no previous convictions recorded, but unfortunately you have begun that record now with a most serious offence. I shall give you a very light sentence, however.”

In relating the facts of the incident to the court, Crown Counsel, Mr. Anthony Palmer said that the defendant and his wife were estranged but continued to see each other from time to time, and the accused contributed money to her support.

“The accused left the Clayhouse Inn,” Mr. Palmer went on, “drove home and obtained two knives. He returned to the Inn, about a half hour later.” 

In the audience was local barrister Mr. Walter Robinson who pulled Williams off his wife while another person in the crowd relieved the accused of the knife. At no time, said Mr. Palmer, did Williams offer any resistance and after composing himself, he left the Clayhouse and drove to the Hamilton Police Station where he turned himself in.

Miss Shirley Simmons, Williams’ counsel, said that Williams and his wife have both been in the Colony for about seven years and have always had regular employment. He was a body repair man at Masters Ltd. The whole affair, a domestic incident relating to the “usual wear and tear of a marriage” was very unfortunate, she submitted to the court.

Just before the incident, Miss Simmons went on, Williams had been interviewed for a job in the United States and his wife had planned to accompany him there. There was a chance of reconciliation.

REPORT ON DEPORTATION OF ERNEST AUGUSTUS WILLIAMS

Sir, 

In compliance with His Excellency’s command, at 2.55pm on Wednesday, January 15, 1969 at Casemates Prison I formally served a Deportation Order on Ernest Augusta Williams and informed him of his right to sue out a writ of habeas corpus.

On instructions from His Excellency, Williams was allowed his freedom on the Island from Friday, January 17, 1969 until Monday, January 20, 1969. He was not under supervision but he was required to report to Hamilton Police Station twice daily, at 10am and 6.0pm.

During his two-day stay of the order, Williams [resided at a private home] at Happy Valley Road, Devonshire.

At 5.10pm Monday, January 20, 1969, after escorting Williams to the Civil Air Terminal, I witnessed him board BOAC flight 675 and depart for Kingston, Jamaica. 

Signed: George F. Rose DC 112.

For more see www.centreagainstabuse.bm

George F. Rose

Article published October, 2023 during Domestic Violence Month

EDITORS NOTE -  In May 2023, we published an article here on our ExPo website entitled, “Rubbing Shoulders with Royalty” after receiving an excellent account from former P.C. Graham Maddocks who served here in the Bermuda Police from 1970-1978  during which time he had several encounters  with members of the Royal family. I also happened to have had personal contacts with HRH Prince Charles (now King Charles 111) and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH Prince Phillip,  and added my recollections to the “Rubbing Shoulders” article.  CLICK HERE to view the article.  

An invitation was extended to any other colleagues who had any dealings with members of the Royal family to write and let us know the details.

We heard almost immediately from our good friend Ray Sousa, who now lives in Australia who recounted an incident he was involved with at Government House just prior to the arrival of HRH Prince Charles for his 1970 visit, and we added Ray’s comments to the “Rubbing Shoulders” article.

We have now heard from our good friend, retired Chief Inspector Roger Kendall,  about his encounters with members of the Royal family which are so numerous that it was felt necessary to publish this separate article about Roger’s multiple contacts with Royalty.  You can also CLICK HERE to view our “Then and Now” article about Roger’s fascinating reminiscences, from his childhood through his 30 year Police career in Bermuda, and his life after retirement from the Bermuda Police Service. 

In the 1960s, I was one of a number of Police Cadets with the Leicestershire and Rutland Constabulary who took part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. I completed all three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold, which resulted in me receiving my awards for the first two. However, unfortunately my records for the Gold Award were lost in a fire at the County Council offices. This necessitated obtaining verification for all the different levels I undertook before they would actually grant me my Gold Award. 

This process took way longer than I expected, as I eventually became a Constable in England and then moved here as a Constable in Bermuda. Long story short, I finally received the necessary verification (some 9 years later) that I indeed qualified for the Gold Award. The Award team in England asked if I was willing to come to Buckingham Palace on my next trip back to England, of course, I said yes. In 1975, my wife and I went to the Buckingham Palace where I finally received my Gold Award presented by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, it was well worth the long wait. 

    Roger and Lita attend Buckingham Palace in 1975  for 

In 1973, I was the driver for Prince Charles on his four-day (very low key) visit to Bermuda, whilst he was aboard HMS Minerva. During one drive, we took him on a tour of the South Shore beaches, where he ordered his U.K. Protection Officer and the Bermuda Special Branch Officer to remain in the car while he strolled along the beaches by himself. Very nervously, both officers tried to observe him with binoculars as he chatted up the folks on the beach. Thank goodness most of those on the beach had no idea who he was. His Royal Highness later gave me a nice autographed photograph in appreciation for my services during this short visit to Bermuda.

In 1974, I was summoned yet again to Special Branch at Headquarters, where I met Superintendent Andy Birmingham. He gave me the keys to the Commissioners Humber Hawk car and told me to gas it up, wash and polish it and return back to Headquarters.

I was then asked if I had a decent suit, and upon answering “Yes” I was told to then go home pack a bag for a few days and report back to him, where I would be told what it was all about (try and explain that to your new wife?). Upon returning, I was told to report to the Special Branch Officers at the old Sonesta Beach Hotel, where I would be acting as the chauffer/bodyguard/interpreter for the President Kenyatta party from Kenya that were staying there. You might recall from previous posts that I spoke Swahili from my earlier days in Africa.

One day during the visit, I was travelling up in an elevator in the hotel with the VIPs who were talking in Swahili when the President’s wife said to her colleagues that she thought I understood what they were talking about, (which of course I did). She then turned to me and said she thought she had recognized me, but couldn’t remember where from. I then had to explain that I had previously lived in Kenya in the ‘60s and I was present as a schoolboy at the stadium for the ‘Uhuru’ Independence celebrations. Can you believe, that is where she had recognized me from!  

In 1975 I received specialization training from the Special Air Services (SAS) at a Royal Protection Chauffer Course held on the of the Annex of the U.S. Naval Operations Base (NOB) in Southampton, in order to qualify as a chauffeur during any future upcoming Royal Visits.

The above was a Royal Gazette photograph taken when I collected the Rolls Royce from the docks (along with Constable Steve Peterson). This vehicle was to be used in the 1975 Royal visit. I had to deliver the Rolls to and from Government House and the Police Operations at Prospect when it was not being used and then finally take it back to the docks at the end of the visit.

Photos of the Governor’s Daimler at Government House and the loaned Rolls Royce garaged at Prospect, both vehicles I used as chauffer to the Royal visitors. 

Roger at the Police garage with the Rolls Royce

I was the relief chauffeur for the Royal party during this Royal visit as Bruce Bingley was the GH Chauffer. My first duty was to pick up HRH the Duke of Edinburgh from the Saltus Grammar school field where he landed by helicopter from a visit to Nonsuch island. I only had a Special Branch officer with me when I drove in, but when I collected HRH, I was joined in the car by his private secretary and the Royal protection officer.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh landing by helicopter

The current Saltus school car park was not there back then and we had to drive directly on to and off the school field from Woodlands Road. Getting on to the field was no problem, however, with now five of us sat in the long wheelbase Daimler, when leaving the field, the car bottomed out when trying to drive back on to the road. Three of the passengers had to get out to lighten the load, before we could continue on our journey back to Government Hours -  talk about embarrassing. 

Roger driving HRH Prince Phillip from Saltus Field  

I also had the privilege of driving HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in the Rolls Royce, on one of their short trips into the city of Hamilton something I will always remember. 

    Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Philip

In 1994, I was the Headquarters Staff officer to the Commissioner. He tasked me in working with the Cabinet Office and a member of the Royal advanced party in establishing a programme for the upcoming Royal visit that year. 

This necessitated selecting various suitable venues, the sequence of each, the routes to and from these different locations and accurate timings of each journey, together with time spent at each one. All of this information was later used to produce the official Royal visit programme. I was later part of the official escort team during this visit as shown in the photograph below 

   The Royal Escort at Government House in 1994

At the conclusion of this visit, I was surprised to be summoned back to Government House, where I was scheduled to have a personal investiture audience with the Royal party. 

HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh met me in a private room at Government House where they stated they had heard that I was responsible for making this Royal visit such a success and they were most appreciative of my diligent duties in this regard. 

They then presented me in a green leather frame, with an autographed photograph of both of them, something I now proudly display in my home, alongside the previous one presented to me by Prince Charles.

In 2011, now a civilian after my retirement in 2001 from the Bermuda Police Service, I was employed as the Head of Security for an American Company, XL Insurance/Re Insurance in Hamilton.

HRH Princess Royal (formally Princess Anne), came to O’Hara House in her role as President of the Caribbean - Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue. This was for a financial briefing and key speeches from the island’s International Business community and Regulators. 

As the Head of Security, I had to greet and escort her Royal Highness throughout this special event. I also had to assist the armed plain clothed members of the Emergency Response Team who were inside the building protecting this Royal visitor.

 HRH Princess Anne at

Another task I had to ensure was that my Security Guards lowered the Union Jack flag in the front of O’Hara House and the Royal Standard was raised   whilst HRH was in attendance.  

In 2014, I once again received an Invitation to Buckingham Palace. This time, as the Chairman of the Bermuda Red Cross, together with the BRC Executive Director Anne Spencer-Arscott.

This was in celebration of the 150 Anniversary of the British Red Cross movement. The Bermuda Red Cross, like many other Red Cross Overseas Branches from throughout the world were also in attendance, with their Board Chairs and Executive Directors.

We were hosted by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, who is the President of the British Red Cross Society and he was joined by Princess Alexandra, the Society’s Deputy President. 

  HRH Prince Charles in the grounds of Buckingham

The garden Party was held in the rear grounds of the Palace with its fantastic gardens and lakes, both of which we had full access to enjoy. During this very memorable pomp and ceremonial event, we were also entertained by various military bands under wonderful sunshine.

“I have been both privileged and honoured to serve so many members of the Royal Family and other Dignitaries over the years and as a consequence I now have many photographs and memories to share with others.

"The members of the Royal Family have a unique knack of making everyone feel comfortable when they meet with members of the public. Each and every interaction I had with them was both so welcoming and cordial, therefore  one was able to feel relaxed when both meeting and talking with each one of them.”