Governor Sir Richard Gozney's speech at Monday's unveiling of the Sally Bassett Memorial left some questioning his inclusion of certain historical references.

His speech in full, as follows:

"Thank you for inviting me to be a part of the ceremony today. Sally Bassett was clearly a significant figure in the history of Bermuda. She is a figure who is still respected, and who serves as an icon for many people on the Island.

It seems to me important that any community, or in the different strands of any community, or in the deferent strands of any community, iconic figures should be given time and space of recognition. That is what I think we're doing today.

Recognition of iconic figures is important elsewhere, too. Let me give you three brief examples, one from South Africa, one from the United States and one from the United Kingdom.

BLOOD RIVER MONUMENT, SOUTH AFRICA

At Blood River in the State of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa is a bronze monument which is a life size replica of 64 covered wagons.

These wagons drawn by oxen, carried Boer settlers into that part of South Africa in the 19th century. When they were attacked by the Zulu army they formed in a circle and defended themselves.

The fact that the civilian Boer families repulsed the Zulu attack without loss of life on their own side, made the battle of Blood River an iconic event for the Boers of the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Many thought that the Blood River monument would be quickly dismantled by the new government.

It still stands today, in recognition of the importance of the symbol of Blood River for many South Africans.

GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE, UNITED STATES

The Confederate General Robert E. Lee was a hero to Virginians from the outset of the strife between the northern and southern states of the United States.

Here was a man who started as a Virginian hero, became a Southern hero and who, because of his strengths of character evolved into a US hero, but much, much later. An iconic figure for three sets of Americans in turn.

Some time after the Civil War the Virginians were, like other states, invited to send two statues to Washington DC and eventually they sent a bronze figure of General Robert E. Lee to Washington DC where, eventually it was installed and where I think it remains to this day.

OLIVER CROMWELL, UNITED KINGDOM

In Britain we value our monarchs and, at least for the last 500 years, have looked after them tolerably well.

We've only executed one of them, Charles I, in 1649, because he didn't respect Parliament as Parliament expected.

The man who did that, and who then led Britain without a monarch for 11 years, was Oliver Cromwell. Naturally he was a controversial figure for decades, if not for centuries, afterwards.

Now, when the British monarch rides in a stagecoach to Parliament once a year in order to give the Throne Speech, just as her coach is about to turn into Parliament, she passes a prominent statue of Oliver Cromwell there to remind everyone of his importance in the history of a certain era, (and, just perhaps, of the perils of ignoring Parliament).

An iconic figure still, to many.

I am glad to join you today in the commemoration of an iconic figure of Bermuda."