‘Things I Remember and More: Looking back at the past’ is the latest book available that provides valuable information on Virgin Islands history and culture.

“What I am attempting to do in this publication is to record as many of my experiences and recollections, and additional information provided by family, friends and acquaintances on how things were in the Virgin Islands,” Mr de Castro wrote in the book’s preface, adding that he also recorded some of his recollections of the US Virgin Islands where he lived and worked for many years.

Adding flavor to the book are photographs, some coloured, of people, events, places and buildings across the Virgin Islands.

Some of the people highlighted included boat builders, boat captains, fishermen and little known legislators.

In one of the book’s chapters, titled ‘Some interesting stories and events, Mr de Castro writes about some of the stories that brought a good laugh or challenged the status quo. One of the stories speaks about an incident that occurred on a boat between a Mr Godfrey R. de Castro and a Caucasian Commissioner.

It is said that Commissioner Barnes always sat at the stern of the Government-owned launch, Lady Kate, whenever he travelled between Tortola and St Thomas.

On a particular day, the Commissioner saw Godfrey sitting in his favourite seat on the launch. When Godfrey was asked to sit elsewhere by the captain of the vessel he refused to move. The police were called and Godfrey was arrested. It is said Godfrey sued the Commissioner and won the case. Commissioner Barnes was fined five pounds and shortly afterwards left Tortola.

And there is a laugh about when Hamm met Bacon!

Challenges

Mr de Castro said he started writing the book on Saturday, March 23, 2002, but said in the years that ensued he lost computers and “got busy with other things.”

He admitted that writing the book “was more difficult than I thought it would be, but it was a pleasure.”

Mr de Castro said it concerned him deeply that there were persons who were not interested in sharing their knowledge of the past, “those who reluctantly spoke with me, those who promised that they would get back to me, but never did.”

Also, Mr de Castro said there were many stories he could not print, such as about people that were robbed or cheated out of their land, children that took their parents land and children that mistreated their parents and much more.

“With all that I have heard, I am of the opinion that this territory needs honest men and women with pride, respect, morals and integrity to stop the erosion of our homeland and reverse the direction in which it is presently headed.”

Not surprising either, Mr de Castro went at lengths to clarify that the Virgin Islands is not ‘British Virgin Islands' and that the US Virgin Islands is The Virgin Islands of the United States of America, something he has always been adamant about and has even chided politicians for not referring to the VI by its constitutional name.

All in all, Mr de Castro hopes the book will allow Virgin Islanders, Belongers and those who come to live and work in the territory to understand and respect the history and culture of the Virgin Islands.

He wants Virgin Islanders to be proud of who they are and to continue to foster national pride.

“National pride begins with our identity and our identity is first and foremost our name, which is The Virgin Islands.”

‘Things I Remember and More: Looking back at the past’ is available for sale at Express Fashion at 200 Waterfront Drive, Little Denmark at 141 Main Street, and Island Services at Pasea Estate.

Persons on the eastern end of the island can call 344-3043 to make their purchase.