‘You could call him ‘Mr St John’
Clembert Powell hailed for lifelong service to St John Brigade and Association of Jamaica
“THERE’S NOTHING more rewarding than saving a life.” That’s possibly the mantra that kept Clembert Nathaniel Powell committed to service to humanity for over six decades through the St John Brigade and Association of Jamaica until his ‘transition to higher duties’ in January 2024.
A former commissioner in one of the world’s oldest humanitarian organisations, more popularly known as the St John Ambulance, Powell’s impact and influence reached across the world and his contributions, through the Jamaica Association, helped to transform countless lives.
His journey with the St John Ambulance Brigade in Jamaica started in 1955 when he joined as a 28-year-old. He would remain faithful over the years.
His unwavering commitment to healthcare as well as to community service, through the St John Ambulance and Island Special Constabulary Force, earned him several accolades, the most esteemed possibly being his promotion to the rank of Knight of Grace of the Order of St John (KStJ) by Her Majesty the Queen as head of the Most Venerable Order of the Knight of St John of Jerusalem and the Hospital. He was one of only three persons in Jamaica, other than governors-general, to be knighted in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, which is deeply rooted in Christian principles.
MASTER TRAINER
Earl Jarrett, chairman of the National Council of the St John Assocation of Jamaica and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Jamaica National Group, eulogised Powell as one who performed his duties for the goodwill of others and embodied the motto of the charity organisation written in Latin: Pro fide, pro utilitate hominum – which translates to “For the faith, for the service of humanity.”
Jarrett recalled how under Powell’s leadership, the St John Association of Jamaica executed several programmes to train more people in emergency care. The programmes benefited the youth, security, and healthcare personnel as well as business enterprises, including the JN Group. He said the former commissioner, a master trainer of First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), was also instrumental in the training of drivers for some ambulances received from Japan through the work of a former executive director, Alison Binger, and others.
“He was a dedicated individual who was committed to First Aid and the development of Jamaica. The organisation has trained many right across the country, and I believe it’s very important that we train as many persons in First Aid so that more of us will begin to respect life and understand the implications of life,” said Jarrett.
“Under his command, St John Ambulance developed a branch network that spanned from Port Antonio in the east, back to Savanna-la-Mar in the west,” he added.
EXCELLENT MENTOR
Reverend Father Peter Clarke, a member of the National Council of the St John Association of Jamaica, was one of the individuals tasked with heading a division of the local association. He was given responsibility for the Northeast division, covering the parishes of Portland, St Thomas, and St Mary.
Meticulous, passionate, humble, and disciplined are just some of the words he used to describe Powell. He shared that Powell was an excellent mentor to him and his wife (Patricia), and that “it was a pleasure to have known and journeyed with him on his earthly pilgrimage”.
“If he came in the Northeast region, he was never going to stay there for one hour. He usually spent a minimum of two days there to make sure that his teaching was absorbed, and he would go through a lot of practical activities in his teachings. He was a ‘person’s person’ and I personally can’t remember him aggravating anyone’s spirit. He was just such a wonderful person and teacher,” he remarked.
Lt Col (ret’d) Oral Khan, the current commissioner of St John Ambulance, also described the work of his predecessor as remarkable. He said Powell was very supportive and was loved by all the volunteers.
“For decades he was the face of St John and he represented us at several levels. He had St John at his heart, and you could call him ‘Mr St. John’. He was responsible for the recruitment of all the volunteers who joined during his tenure,” the Lt Col shared.
Lt Col (ret’d) Khan said the current image of the St. John Association of Jamaica is as a result of Powell’s leadership and teachings, and agrees that he ought to be memorialised for his years of service to the Order, which has been in Jamaica since 1899.
“He helped to significantly shape St John Ambulance in Jamaica while he was there including some of the relationships that were established between St. John and other institutions. For example, St. John provided ambulance service for years at Caymanas Park Limited for their race days and he would have been instrumental in forging those relationships. So something will have to be done to honour his memory and contributions over the years.”
“C.N. Powell’s story is not just a record of his personal achievements, but a testament to how one’s selfless actions can have a profound effect on others, near and far. He was there during crises, such as Hurricane Charlie in 1951 and the Kendall Crash in 1957, and he understood that at the heart of First Aid was the desire to help a fellow human being with nothing but naked hands.”