Cut down in their youth

On Wednesday, October 6, 1976, eleven Guyanese were among 73 persons who were killed when two bombs exploded aboard Cubana Flight CU455, causing in to plunge into the Caribbean sea. Of the Guyanese who died in the terrorist attack, six were Guyana students, all of whom dreamed of a brighter future.
They had left Guyana in a happy mood for what they believed was an exciting new chapter in their life. They had completed their GCE A Level examinations and were heading to Cuba on government scholarships.

On the 40th anniversary of the air disaster, we take a look back at those cut down in their youth.
Eric Norton: He would have celebrated his 19th birthday three weeks after the tragedy. He was a former head boy of Queen’s College and the only son of Station Officer Harold Norton of the Fire Service and Mrs Norton.
Rawle Thomas: He was just over 18, a younger brother of Parliamentary Secretary Jeffrey Thomas of John Street, Campbellville, and also an old boy of Queen’s College. Rawle left school and worked with the Government Information Service (GIS) for two months, showing considerable promise as a writer and debater.
Raymond Persaud: He was 19, a teacher at Bishops High School before he left on the trip for Cuba. Raymond was the son of Charles Persaud of Sheriff Street, Campbellville.
Seshnarine Kumar: He was 18, a former Berbice High School student, son of Harry Kumar of Canefield Settlement, East Canje Berbice.
Jacqueline Williams: She was 19, an old girl of Bishops High School, and daughter of Public Service Ministry Training Adviser George Williams.
Ann Nelson: She was an 18-year-old former Bishops High School student who lived with her relative Esther Callendar in Charlotte Street, Bourda.

When Soul King Percy Sledge visited

PERCY “Mr Soul” Sldege flew into Guyana on October 4, 1967 with his nine-piece band and received a chance welcome from Minister of Labour Claude Merriman who had gone to the airport for another engagement. In this Ray Seetram photo, Minister Merriman greets Percy as local soul singer Ted E. Jones looks on.

Viola Burnham performs duties as President

Vice President with responsibility for Social Development and Culture was on October 3, 1989 sworn in to perform the duties of President shortly after President Desmond Hoyte left on a five-day state visit to Brazil. She became the first Guyanese woman to perform the functions of President.

Dawn of a new era

Dr Cheddi Jagan was sworn in as President of Guyana on October 9, 1992 in what was heralded as the dawn of a new era. Here, he poses with his wife Janet, and with Mr Samuel Hinds (who Dr Jagan would later swear in as Prime Minister) and his wife Yvonne just after the swearing in ceremony