Gadsby-Dolly hails Kelshall

A photo still of Kelshall from a YouTube video.
A photo still of Kelshall from a YouTube video.

Community Development, Culture and the Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly has hailed Lt Commander Gaylord Kelshall, who died on Sunday night. In a release issued yesterday, Gadsby-Dolly said: “We thank him for his years of service to the preservation of our military heritage, a crucial part of our national story that we often take for granted.

“He was passionate about military history and gave of his own resources to set up the Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum.”

Kelshall, a decorated veteran of World War II, served TT as a Coast Guard pilot and Special Forces commander.

On the night of Kelshall’s passing, two castles were added to the museum, as well as a raised drawbridge. His wife Linda was convinced that her husband’s spirit was present at the event to witness that dream of his.

On the family’s request for a military funeral and for him to be laid to rest at the Military Cemetery on Long Circular Road, Linda said she was still awaiting word from Chief of Defence Staff Commodore Hayden Pritchard,

Contacted yesterday, Pritchard was still deliberating. He told Newsday: “Based on our regulations, full military funerals are given to retired commanding officers. Kelshall left as a retired lieutenant.

“But we know how loved he was in the military, and the excellent work that he has done with the museum,,,that has me in this difficult position. Also, it is not my decision alone to make.”

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