Some 40 years ago, while preparing for A’Levels, we had the same zoology class with Mr. McKie, but we did not know. Some 40 years ago, while preparing for A’Levels, we had the same economics class with Mr. Bailey, but we did not know.
We only found out last week, when I visited Miami to meet a lady who I understand was a relative of mine from the Spring Village BushyPark area.
Yes, I did know that I had relatives related to my Grandfather in that area but I had never met this lady. She told me of the family links and that her maiden name was Walters, also my name. You see, her father (Richard Walters) was my grandfather’s (John McRooby Walters) first cousin. She provided information on other relatives (some now deceased) whom I had not met.
I diligently made notes so that when I got home I could add information to the family tree on my computer. She was real thorough in providing links with the older folks and since she is one of the last surviving of her generation, I was ecstatic that she had the knowledge and was willing to share it.
Having received much information about her generation and older, I moved on to the next generation by asking her about her children. As she called names I “froze in my tracks” when one of names mentioned was Stratton Palmer. I thought for a moment that it must be a different Stratton Palmer, but that was not a common name. I I therefore decided to quiz her some more, and she told me he went to KC and was still very involved in the school.
Forty years ago, we did not know, but I recently found out that Stratton Palmer is my cousin. Photograph on left above shows Stratton’s Grandfather (Richard Walters) and photograph on right my grandfather (John McRooby Walters). I am proud to know that I am related to such a purple-hearted person who played football, cricket and hockey for KC, who was the President of the Old Boys Association, coached at KC for 27 years, (hockey, colts football and Manning Cup Football) and if you tune in to one of the Jamaican radio stations, KLAS Sports Radio FM 89 you hear him hosting his sports show, the Sports Desk.
As Stratton says, we should have known we were related since there must have been some family ‘madness’ why we did the strange combination of zoology and economics. He also did geography with Mr. Bailey. Come to think of it, there may have been a few more strange combinations as Norman Foote recalled Neville Garrick sitting art and zoology. When we had to sketch the dogfish, Garrick’s work was a masterpiece. Put us all to shame.
