Errol Barrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Right Excellent
Errol Walton Barrow
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| 1st Prime Minister of Barbados | |
| In office 29 May 1986 – 1 June 1987 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Hugh Springer |
| Deputy | Lloyd Erskine Sandiford |
| Preceded by | Bernard St. John |
| Succeeded by | Lloyd Erskine Sandiford |
| In office 30 November 1966 – 8 September 1976 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | John Montague Stow Arleigh Winston Scott |
| Deputy | James Cameron Tudor (1966-1971) Cuthbert Edwy Talma (1971-1976) |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Tom Adams |
| 3rd Premier of Barbados | |
| In office 4 December 1961 – 30 November 1966 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | John Montague Stow |
| Deputy | James Cameron Tudor |
| Preceded by | Hugh Cummins |
| Succeeded by | Position Abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 January 1920 Saint Lucy, British Windward Islands, (present day Barbados) |
| Died | 1 June 1987 (aged 67) Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Political party | Democratic Labour Party (1955–1987) |
| Other political affiliations |
Barbados Labour Party (before 1955) |
| Spouse | Carolyn Marie Barrow, (nee Plaskett) |
| Children | Lesley Barrow David O'Neal Barrow Eric Wayne Padmore |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Branch/service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1947 |
| Rank | Flying Officer |
Errol Walton Barrow (born January 21, 1920 – died June 1, 1987) was a very important leader from Barbados. He became the first Prime Minister of the island. People often call him the "Father of Independence" because he led Barbados to become an independent country.
Errol Barrow came from a family of people who worked to make their community better. He was a brave pilot in World War II, a lawyer, and a politician. He helped shape modern Barbados.
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Early Life and Family
Errol Walton Barrow was born on January 21, 1920, in Saint Lucy, Barbados. He was the fourth of five children. His parents were Rev. Reginald Grant Barrow and Ruth Albertha (née O'Neal).
His mother's father was a successful blacksmith. He bought a plantation in Saint Lucy, which is where Errol was born.
Errol's father, Reverend Barrow, was an Anglican priest. He spoke out for poor black workers. This caused problems with the island's leaders. He was moved to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.
His mother, Ruth, returned to Barbados to raise her children. They lived with their grandmother, Catherine O’Neal, in Bridgetown.
Errol's uncle, Dr. Charles Duncan O'Neal, was a famous doctor and activist. He started the first socialist group in Barbados. His ideas greatly influenced young Errol.
Another important family member was Errol's cousin, Hugh Springer. He later became the Governor General of Barbados. Both Dr. O'Neal and Sir Hugh are now recognized as National Heroes of Barbados.
Errol first went to Wesley Hall Boys School. Then he won a scholarship to Combermere School. After one year, he moved to Harrison College, which was the top boys' school on the island.
During his school days, Errol got the nickname "Dipper." This nickname stayed with him throughout his political career. After school, he worked as a legal clerk. He also studied to win a scholarship to Codrington College.
Serving in World War II
In December 1940, Errol Barrow joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) to fight in World War II. He was one of 12 Barbadians who joined the RAF at that time.
His sister, Dame Nita Barrow, remembered him saying he was going to England to join the RAF instead of going to college.
Errol trained as a wireless operator and then as a navigator. He earned his Air Navigator wings in November 1943. He became a Sergeant.
He joined a crew and trained for combat missions in Nova Scotia, Canada. In September 1944, his crew returned to England. They joined the 88 Squadron, flying Douglass Boston light bombers.
Between September 1944 and March 1945, Errol Barrow flew 48 combat missions. He spent over 100 hours flying in battle. He saw the terrible effects of bombing firsthand.
Barrow was a very skilled navigator. His main job was to guide the pilot and crew to their target. Then, after dropping bombs, he had to guide them safely back home.
He helped Allied ground forces by bombing German communication lines and airfields. He supported troops during battles like the Battle for Arnhem and the Battle of the Bulge.
After the war, he became the personal navigator for Air Chief Marshall Sir William Sholto Douglas. Douglas was the Commander in Chief of the British Zone in Germany. Barrow was promoted to Flying Officer.
In 1947, Errol Barrow went to the London School of Economics to study economics. He also studied law at the Inns of Court at the same time. He earned his law degree in 1949 and his economics degree in 1950.
While studying, he led the Council of Colonial Students. He met other future leaders there, like Forbes Burnham, Michael Manley, Pierre Trudeau, and Lee Kuan Yew.
Political Journey
Errol Barrow returned to Barbados in 1950. He was elected to the Barbados Parliament in 1951. He was a member of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP).
He felt strongly about ending colonial rule. He soon disagreed with his party's slow approach to change. In 1955, he left the BLP.
In April 1955, Barrow and 21 other politicians started a new party. They formed the Democratic Labour Party (DLP). This party offered a more progressive way forward.
Barrow was re-elected to parliament in 1958. He became the leader of the DLP in 1959. In December 1961, his party won the general election.
He served as the Premier of Barbados from 1961 to 1966. In 1966, he led Barbados to become independent from Great Britain. He then became the island's first Prime Minister.
He served as Prime Minister for ten years. During this time, he also worked as the Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Under his leadership, the DLP government did many important things:
- They boosted industrial growth.
- They expanded the tourism industry. This helped reduce Barbados's reliance on sugar.
- They started National Health Insurance and Social Security programs.
- They made secondary school education free for everyone.
Barrow strongly believed in Caribbean countries working together. He helped create the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) in 1965.
Eight years later, CARIFTA became the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Barrow, along with leaders from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas. This agreement aimed to strengthen ties between English-speaking Caribbean nations.
After winning another election in 1971, the DLP lost the 1976 election. This was partly due to public debate over proposed changes to the constitution and a difficult economy.
As an opposition leader, Barrow strongly opposed outside interference in Caribbean affairs. In 1983, he spoke out against the United States' invasion of Grenada.
He criticized other Caribbean leaders who relied on aid from the United States. He famously said, "I do not believe in Santa Claus," referring to President Reagan.
In May 1986, after 10 years out of power, Barrow was re-elected as Prime Minister. His party won a huge victory, taking 24 out of 27 seats.
During his campaign, he gave a famous "Mirror Image" speech. He asked Barbadians what future they saw for themselves. He encouraged them to build a strong, independent Barbados.
His return to power inspired a new sense of national pride in the region. Barrow quickly showed he would not be controlled by outside powers. He even called President Reagan "that cowboy in the White House."
A year after his re-election, Prime Minister Errol Barrow passed away on June 1, 1987. In 1998, Barbados officially named him one of its National Heroes.
Family Life
Errol Barrow was the son of Rev. Reginald Grant Barrow and Ruth Albertha O'Neal. His sister, Dame Nita Barrow, also became a social activist and later the Governor General of Barbados.
Errol Barrow married Carolyn Marie Plaskett in November 1945. They had two children, Lesley and David.
Legacy
The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination is at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus. It helps people create and appreciate art. It is a place for artistic expression.
He is also one of the namesakes of the island's ABC Highway.
Images for kids
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Statue of Errol Barrow at Independence Square, Bridgetown, Barbados
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Errol Barrow Centre For Creative Imagination
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See also
In Spanish: Errol Barrow para niños
- Politics of Barbados
- List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Barbados
- National Heroes of Barbados
