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THE GREEN BAY REWARD
Colonel Allan Douglas
W
HERE AND how did Green
Bay start for me? In 1978, as
a captain in the JDF, I spoke
out against the killing of five civilians by
the JDF at Green Bay on the 5
th
January
1978 – at great personal sacrifice, it should
be noted. As a result of the report in the
newspapers and what was told to me by the
leader of the ambush party, I became very
concerned about the JDF’s participation in
the affair, so on several occasions I sought
audience with my superior officers so as to
alleviate my concerns and get the true role
played by the army, but on each occasion
I was not given any definite information
or assurance about the matter. In the
month of February 1978, I was requested
to give evidence at a Board of Inquiry at
Up Park Camp. At said board, I stated all
I knew about the Green Bay affair, which
is exactly what I stated in evidence at the
subsequent Coroner’s Inquest on the 7
th
of
April 1978 into this matter.
Because of my decision to give evidence
that did not support the official military
position, I lost friends overnight and made
several enemies known and unknown.
During this period, and to this day, there
were many who believed that my testimony
was an act of disloyalty and, therefore, I
was even regarded as a traitor by some.
As the Green Bay drama unfolded,
however, and the media got a hold of the
story, the JDF’s official account of the
incident appeared to be nothing short of an
attempt at a massive cover-up of an act of
cold-blooded murder. I became more and
more concerned that the good name and
integrity of the JDF was being destroyed
by my superiors. I asked questions of them
and instead of straight answers, I got lies
and threats. When you are threatened,
you can run and hide or you can stand
your ground and fight. My choice was to
stand and fight, despite advice to do the
opposite from many. I thank Green Bay
for one thing and that is making me truly
understand what it is to be a father. It is,
after all, to my father that I confided my
concerns and fears regarding the Green
Bay affair. How I remember his advice.
“Allan, I have brought you up to always
tell the truth, cost it what it will. Now you
are a big man with a wife and a fledgling
military career. You have a choice. You
can know the truth and say nothing and
live with that on your conscience or you
can speak out and suffer indignities,
humiliation from your superiors, peers and
friends. You are going to have to live in
fear for your life and you could be killed.
The decision is yours, though, Allan.
Remember, both your Mum and I would
rather have you be alive, but then again, we
are only here for a time; you have your life
to live and only you can determine what
you are able to live with. Forget rewards –
there won’t be any. In fact, if you do speak
out, your military career could come to a
premature end. So, Allan, whatever you
decide, both your Mum and I will love you
A large crowd outside Spanish Town Court House from the previous day awaiting the verdict of the Green Bay guest.
PLEASE SEE: REWARD