Felix Veitch

Felix Gordon Veitch (1887 – July 4, 1946) was a Jamaican minister of religion, medical practitioner and politician, representing the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in pre-independent Jamaica. He served as the first speaker of the House of Representatives (1945-1946).[1]

The Reverend, Dr

Felix Gordon Veitch

M.D., OBE
Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office
1945–1946
MonarchGeorge VI
GovernorSir John Higgins
Succeeded byClement Aitcheson
Personal details
Born1887
St Ann, Jamaica
DiedJuly 4, 1946(1946-07-04) (aged 58–59)
NationalityJamaica
Political partyJamaica Labour Party
Spouse(s)Gladys (née Edwards)

Early life and education

Veitch was born in 1887 in St Ann, Jamaica. He was the son of agriculturist James Veitch and his wife Elsie Jane Gordon.[2]

Political career

Prior to the granting of adult suffrage in 1944, Veitch was a member of the former Legislative Council, representing the parish of Hanover between 1929 and 1944. In the December 14, 1944 general election, he represented the Alexander Bustamante-led Jamaica Labour Party. Veitch was elected to the House of Representatives from the constituency of Hanover Western, polling 3,200 votes in a crowded field against independents William Dickson (2,421), Walter Tomlinson (1,273), Henry Messam (1,196), and others. A staggering 920 ballots were rejected.[3]

On January 9, 1945 when the House first convened, Veitch was nominated to the position of Speaker by Jehoida McPherson. He was duly confirmed in this position and became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives. However, failing health caused Veitch to serve just two years in Parliament. By May 1945, Clement Aitcheson, the representative from Trelawny Northern was acting as Speaker, over a year before Veitch's death in July 1946.[4]

Awards and honors
  • Veitch was awarded an OBE for public service to Jamaica in 1945 [5]

Personal life and death

Veitch was married to Gladys (née Edwards). He died on July 4, 1946 at the age of 59.

See also

References
  1. Ken Jones (16 October 2011). "The first speaker of the House". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  2. Troy Caine (1 April 2013). "Great family tradition of service". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  3. "General Election 1944 Results". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  4. "The first speaker of the House". Jamaica Gleaner. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  5. "No. 36866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1945. p. 32.
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