Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

8 Our Nation’s Modern Leaders SOLOMON HOCHOY ( 1905-1983 ) J amaica-born, he came to T&T as an infant and grew up in Blanchisseuse. He joined the Civil Service in 1927 and moved up the ranks to become a Labour Commissioner in 1949 until 1955 when he was appointed as the Deputy Colonial Secretary and then Colonial Secretary 1956, a position he held for four years. In 1960, he became our last Governor before Independence and then our first Governor General when we gained Independence in 1962. He held the position of Governor General until 1972. His wife, Lady Thelma Hochoy, was very devoted to children’s causes especially those who were mentally retarded, as they were referred to then. She ensured that a special home was set up for such children and in 1961 the Lady Hochoy home was opened. This led to the establishment of additional Centres in Arima, Gasparillo and Penal to cater to the needs of families in other parts of Trinidad. There is a collection of Sir Solomon Hochoy’s material at the West Indiana and Special Collections Division at UWI. • 1960 Knighted by The Queen of England • 1969 Trinity Cross