1922 – 1967
Brassington Granville Reynolds was the youngest of seven children, born on November 5, 1922 to Benjamin Goring and Charlotte Reynolds at Belladrum Village, West Coast, Berbice.
His centenary was observed on November 5, 2022. He was fondly and popularly referred to as ‘Teacher Bertie’. He was loved by many and respected by all. He attended St. Alban’s Anglican School, Belladrum from where he was successful at the Pupil Teachers’ Appointment (PTA) examination in 1938. He started his illustrious teaching career at the tender age of 16 at St. Gabriel’s Anglican School, #29 Village, West Coast, Berbice.
He attended the Georgetown Teachers’ Training College (GTTC), Georgetown in 1946 from where he graduated with a first-class teachers’ certificate.
Upon graduation from the GTTC he was assigned to Cane Grove Primary School, East Coast, Demerara. Subsequently, he was reassigned to St. Alban’s Anglican School (his Alma Mater) as a Senior Assistant Teacher. In 1961 he was transferred to #29 Village Primary School.
‘Teacher Bertie’ and his wife, Gwendolyn Charlotte, parented seven children. ‘Teacher Bertie’ was a beacon and pioneer in elementary education. He loved mathematics, studied Latin, played the piano, and always enjoyed a good game of bridge. His approach was that education was the means and cure to escape poverty and to uplift generations to come into the middle class and beyond.
He was an embodiment of scholarship and continued education. ‘Teacher Bertie’ was part of the nucleus that created an environment where many were able to acquire the rudiments of learning. His was indeed a life well lived. He continued to climb the ladder of upward mobility when he was appointed Headmaster of Cabacaburi Mission School, Pomeroon District.
Unfortunately, ‘Teacher Bertie’ met his demise in June, 1967 when he was involved in a tragic vehicular accident at the relatively young age of 45. The news of his passing unveiled a spring of grief and disbelief in the family and community at large. So many wished he could have lived to see the fulfillment of his dreams and aspirations. Not to be outdone, his mantle was passed to his children for they have distinguished themselves in public service, nationally and internationally, in the fields of education, law, military, health science, and public health.
