Rawle Parkinson Ward

Two Boats Rawle Parkinson Ward

Sometimes I reflect on the things I did as a bad, little boy and I enjoy a good laugh at the many naughty memories. A few months ago, for some reason I recalled the fun I used to have as I sneakily read the love letters sent back and forth between my big brother Rawle Parkinson Ward and his intended during his stint on Ascension Island. After the usual good laugh, I had the urge to learn more about the important project that he had been working on back in the sixties. While I was able to glean a fair bit of knowledge about Ascension Island and about the Earth Station from videos and the internet, I could find nothing at all about the contribution that the several West Indian workers had made. No pictures, no videos. I decided to ask Rawle about it and although he is over seventy years old, I was amazed at the detailed accounts he could render on events that happened fifty-five years ago. My parents' decision to bestow on him the name of that illustrious educator had at last borne fruit. While listening to him, it occurred to me that many of the persons he worked with would have probably passed on and that their involvement in this momentous accomplishment would in time be forgotten. I therefore, present this slim volume as a humble token of recognition of their work and sacrifice. I salute those West Indian men who, like so many before them, were forced by economic hardship and lack of opportunity at home, to venture into unknown and dangerous situations in order to provide for their loved ones. Their backbreaking contributions to grand, historic projects like the Panama Canal and the Moon Landing might not have been glamorous. They might not have played the starring roles, but, like an efficient backstage crew, their reliable performance was vitally important to the success of these undertakings. Below then, is the interview I had with Rawle which should provide some insight and probably inspire more accomplished researchers possessing better resources, to explore this subject.