The statues of Noel Lloyd (left) and Sir James Olva Georges OBE, MBE (right) in Road Town, Tortola were destroyed by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters

The demounted statue of Ellis Thomas at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola. Photo: Team of Reporters

Inset: Mr Julian Willock, who served as the Chairman of two of the Naming Committees, including that of Roger A. Hodge. That statue (in photo) is still standing. Photo: Team of Reporters/VINO

On Tortola alone it went after the monuments the VI built in remembrance of national heroes.

The hurricane demolished the statue of national hero Noel Lloyd, which was on display in the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park in Road Town on the main island of Tortola.

Mr Lloyd was at the forefront of the fight to return Wickham's Cay and Anegada to the people of the Territory.

Another one down in town

Also in Road Town, the statue of Sir James Olva Georges OBE, MBE was destroyed by the powerful force of Hurricane Irma. Mr Georges’ statue was located in the plaza named in his honour in the capital city.

Sir Georges was the first Virgin Islander to be knighted. He was a distinguished public servant, community leader and member of the legislative and Executive Councils of the VI. Sir Olva Georges acted as Commissioner or Administrator during the absence of Her Majesty's Representative in the Territory. He also worked in his family's business, J.E.W. Georges General Store and served in various capacities in the Road Town Methodist Church.

Thomas demounted

Moving on to Sea Cow’s Bay, the famous statue of the late Ellis Thomas, the father of horse racing in the VI, was also demounted.

The statue at the state-owned only horse racing facility, named Ellis Thomas Downs, was in honour of Mr Thomas, the person who almost single-handedly in the early days worked for the improvement and promotion of horse racing as a sport.

He was also a horse racing historian, race organisor, announcer, trainer and breeder.

One left standing- Hodge

One bright spot that stood the test of time to Hurricane Irma's powerful winds and fury was the monument to honour the youngest national hero Roger A. Hodge. The statue of Mr Hodge located in upper Nibbs Estate in Sea Cow’s Bay at the Roger Allen Hodge Park stood tall in the midst of all, when others fell.

Mr Hodge was honoured for his contribution to a variety of sports and for being a mentor to many young athletes on Tortola and for his participation in sporting events both locally and regionally.

Their works live on- Julian Willock

Mr Julian Willock, who served as the Chairman of two of the Naming Committees, that of Mr Thomas and Hodge, told our newsroom that “while the statues are destroyed the good works of the heroes, such as Ellis Thomas, Noel Lloyd and Mr Georges will live on and that is more important.”

Mr Willock also said "with the poor financial situation of the country and many other priorities, it could be a long long time before the statues are restored…”