In November 1953, The Queen would make the first Commonwealth tour of her reign which included a stop in Jamaica.
On that visit, an Investiture would be held for the first time outside of the United Kingdom. An investiture is a formal installation or ceremony when someone is given regalia and authority of high office. It was Hon. Colonel A.G. Curphey, M.C., E.D., who was knighted during a ceremony in Kingston, Jamaica. The knighthood was announced a year prior in 1952.
Colonel Sir Aldington George Curphey was an Anglo-Jamaican surgeon, medical officer, and politician who served as President of the island’s Legislative Council from 1952 to 1958. He had served in the First World War as a medical officer attached to the Jamaica War Contingent. He was then commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a captain where he won the Military Cross. A third-level military decoration was awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces. During the onset of the Second World War, Curphey became a Senior Military Medical Officer for Jamaica and eventually took the rank of Surgeon-Major in the Local Forces – he would later become an Honorary Colonel.
In 1945, Curphey became a member of the Jamaican Legislative Council. In 1952 he was elected the President of the council. Other public roles Curphey had throughout his life included being one of Jamaica’s representatives at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London in 1953.
Curphey was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1944 and later promoted to Commander (CBE) in 1952. Six years later, he would be knighted.
Her Majesty and her husband drove 120 miles across the country during the tour in 1953 to meet with Jamaicans from all parts of the island.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are currently on tour throughout the Caribbean as they join other members of the royal family in visiting different parts of the Commonwealth in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.
