Born in Bermuda, but not Bermudian

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May 8, 2012

Dear Sir,

Regarding your article concerning the English couple who were asked to leave Bermuda who are now being assisted by a UK MP, my wife was born in Bermuda in 1957 at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and christened Rhonda Coriss Glover. Both her parents were English and both worked for Triminghams. Unfortunately, in 1962, my wife’s father took ill and the family had to make a sudden move back to England. Sadly her father died on the plane before reaching England and the family could not afford to return.

I knew Rhonda through being a friend of her brothers when they returned to England in 1962, but lost contact with them when I first started work in 1968.

I re-met Rhonda in 2003 and we married in 2008. She dreamed of returning to Bermuda to live, but the law regarding immigration had changed in 1956 and only her brothers could claim citizenship.

I did manage to come back with her for her 50th birthday in 2007 and again in 2010, but we were unable to make any headway for her to return to her birthplace.

As well as her parents working at Triminghams, her grandmother worked as housekeeper at Cambridge Beaches and her uncle served as a police officer.

I served in the UK as a police officer, having over 30 years experience and hoped that this would help, but alas that was not to be.

I can understand the family featured in your article wanting to return, as we would also love the opportunity to do so, both of us having a wealth of experience that could benefit the Island.

If possible I would ask if you could print this letter and hope that it helps the family in question.

DARROL STATEN MBE

Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England

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