TWO days in succession ranking members of the Progressive Labour Party joined with the party’s rank and file to pay last respects to stewards who played pivotal roles in the foundation of the organised labour movement in Bermuda.First it was the funeral at St. Paul AME Church, Hamilton, of 97-year-old Mrs. Dorothy Kathleen Wilson, and next at St. James Church, Somerset for 80-year-old William Albert (Peter) Smith. He was the last of the seven men the PLP honours as the party’s founding fathers.

Centennial Hall of St. Paul’s Church was packed for Mrs. Wilson’s service, conducted by the church pastor, Rev. Lanel D. Guyton, assisted by Presiding Elder Malcolm Eve and Rev. Dr. Wilbur Lowe, Jr.

She was remembered as a gracious lady, who in her own quiet, yet dynamic manner rendered a notable contribution to the social, political and cultural development of the Bermuda we know today.

Most particularly, Mrs. Wilson was known to be a constant source of great strength and inspiration to her husband of many years, Robert Austin Wilson.

He was one of the three master carpenters who had the courage of their convictions and took the giant steps that led to the formation of the Bermuda Workers Association in 1944, and ultimately to the organised labour movement in this country and, of course, to the Labour Government Bermuda now has.

Gerald Brangman and William Davis were the other two master carpenters.

Mrs. Wilson, conspicuously, was with her husband all down through the rough years when Austin proved to be the anchor that kept the BWA alive following the death of Dr. E.F. Gordon and the during the emergence of the Bermuda Industrial Union.

The Union signally honoured Mrs. Wilson when it called upon her, alongside her husband, to cut the ribbon at the formal opening in 1987 of the Union’s headquarters building in Union Square.

The obituary at Mrs. Wilson’s funeral was read by her granddaughter, Government Senator Kim Wilson Simmons.

Dorothy, she noted, was born on October 27, 1909, the third child of the 17 born to Edward and Louise Matthews. All but five of the siblings are deceased. Her own children are Roslyn, Marion, Sayeed, Veronica, Madree and Andre.WILLIAM Albert (Peter) Smith was eulogised by Archdeacon Emeritus, the Ven. Dr. Arnold Hollis, as a man who made a mark in Bermuda’s history that can never be erased. He was alluding to his role as one of the seven men — foremost among them was Wilfred (Mose) Allen — who founded the PLP in Rio Richardson’s garage in the back of town in 1963. It was Bermuda’s first modern-day political party.

Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Paul Cox, speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, cited Mr. Smith as a man who fought for justice for all in Bermuda.

She said the absence abroad of Premier Ewart Brown was the only reason he did not join other Cabinet Ministers at the funeral.

Dame Lois Browne Evans, former Opposition Leader, in her tribute recalled the rough days in the PLP’s Central Committee when the party was getting off the ground.

‘Mose’ Allen, Peter Smith and Alon Butterfield were deemed to be most radical, and their blunt, easy resort to coarse language either caused some to leave the party or others to fear joining. She said Peter was a sort of bush lawyer.

It was not easy to get candidates to stand for the 1963 election, which was the first the party contested.

“Nowadays we’re having up to 75 coming out of the woodwork to be candidates,” Dame Lois remarked.

Her own preference for 1963 was to stand in Pembroke. But Central sent her to Devonshire North, about which she knew little or nothing.

She said it was Peter Smith who took her on her first campaign trail, knocking on doors and introducing her to voters. The result was her historic victory, unseating one of the big Front Street barons, the late Sir Bayard Dill.

Mr. Smith was born January 21, 1927 in Somerset. His roots were closely tied to the West End where his academic and spiritual foundation was laid, according to the obituary read by Ms. Zena Edwards.

As a teenager he went to work at the US Naval Operating Base. He gained great experience through a variety of jobs. Later he trained as a painter, became an immigration officer, and his entrepreneurial spirit moved him to branch out and establish his own clothing store in St. George’s.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, educator Edwina Smith, and sons Lorin and Glenn.

Two PLP stalwarts are laid to rest