Pilots approaching the airstrip in Anguilla now have a new announcement to make to Air Traffic Controllers. It is: “Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, we are inbound.” The new name is also being used by Immigration Officers welcoming visitors arriving on the island by air. The change of name was officially made on Sunday, July 4, in place of “Wallbalke Airport” by which it was known over the many years of its commercial operations, merely because of its estate location.

Mrs. Lena Lloyd, daughter Lisa and grandson unveiling Airport's name

The former American military airstrip of the 1940s, commercially served the island in its primitive stage up through, and beyond, the 1950s, and over the years was gradually improved. Today, completely paved, the airport has a length of 5,400 feet. Apart from accommodating mainly regular inter-island aircraft and travellers, it is also a landing strip for executive jets flying in the “rich and famous” particularly from the United States and hence, perhaps, though not necessarily correct, the controversial addition of “international” to its name.

View of the palm-fringed airport building

The ceremony, re-naming the airport, was attended by family members, present and past Government of Anguilla officials; top former and current personnel from Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten who knew and worked with the late beloved and patriotic Anguillian pilot; persons who served as members of his staff in Anguilla and a number of pilots.

Anguilla and St. Maarten Officials and others at the unveiling ceremony

Captain Clayton Jeremy Lloyd, who would have been 68 on the day of the ceremony (July 4), unfortunately died on December 24, 1977, at the age of 35, along with six passengers on a flight from St. Maarten to Anguilla shortly after one of the engines of his Beech Twin Bonanza aircraft caught fire and fell off during take-off. (The flight had originated in St. Thomas and went on to St. Kitts then Maarten.) The tragic incident caused unimaginable pain to his wife, Mrs. Lena Lloyd, and their two children, Lisa and Alexei; the families of those who perished with him; and the wider Anguillian community which shared the terrible loss.

The late Capt. Clayton J. Lloyd

The re-naming of the airport, after Captain Lloyd, was an initiative of the Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Communications and Utilities, Evan Gumbs (an admirer of the irreplaceable pilot), with the support of his ministerial colleagues in Government.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Larry Franklin, told the gathering at the re-naming ceremony that the occasion was not just a recognition of what Captain Lloyd achieved as an aviation pioneer, but also of his vision and commitment to a cause.
“By naming the airport after Anguilla’s foremost aviation pioneer, should contribute to our national pride and provide a link between the aspirations of present and future generations to our history and our forebears,” he stated.
Acting Chief Minister, Edison Baird, said the change of name for the airport in honour of the late Anguillian aviation pioneer was a long overdue, yet a momentous occasion.

Officials and other invited guests at the Airport re-naming ceremony

“He acquired his first plane, a Piper Aztec, which commenced the regular travel of many Anguillians to and from St. Thomas and St. Maarten,” Mr. Baird recalled. “By the late 1970s, he had a fleet of seven planes engaged in trips to the neighbouring islands, thus increasing his landing destinations. As his fleet grew, so did his love and generosity grow for his fellow Anguillians, and many non-Anguillians became his passengers or employees. Clayton epitomised the true spirit of jollification when, on many occasions, he became the air mail carrier. This must not be taken lightly because in many of those envelopes was money that poor Anguillian families were awaiting to put food on their tables. He epitomised the true spirit of generosity when many life and death situations arose and a sick person was flown out on his aircraft to seek medical attention. He epitomised the true understanding of caring when he assisted in search and rescue missions regardless of the hour of the day. It is worthy to note that many of these activities took place without a cent being paid to Clayton Lloyd.

“Fellow Anguillians, we need to have Clayton Lloyd’s spirit awakened in us. Now, more than ever, we need the spirit of boldness to step out in faith and determination to create an economic change. We cannot allow ourselves to be crippled by the shackles of fear and uncertainty; rather, we need to sow, as our visionary did, and make the necessary sacrifices to create a brighter tomorrow.”

Minister of Infrastructure, Communications and Utilities, Evan Gumbs, said Captain Lloyd had left a legacy of aviation to build on and that the overdue re-naming of the airport, in his honour, was something that was better late than never. Mr. Gumbs presented a plaque to Mrs. Lena Lloyd in honour of her late husband.

It read: “In honour of Captain Clayton J. Lloyd and his contribution to Anguilla’s aviation and development, from the Government and people of Anguilla, 4th July, 2010.”

The deceased’s daughter, Lisa, said in part: “My father would have celebrated his 68th birthday today. He was born on July 4th, 1942. At 35 years old, he died on December 24, Christmas Eve, 1977. Captain Clayton Jeremy Lloyd was the first Anguillian pilot and the first in Anguilla to establish his own air taxi business. Air Anguilla, later known as Valley Air Service, operated during the early 1960s to 1977. He bought his first airplane, the Piper Aztec, to transport Anguillians between the islands. He gradually increased his fleet to seven. Among them were the Cessna, Islander, Navaho and Queen Air Beechcraft. He built a hanger and an office next to the airport for maintenance of the planes and service to the Anguillian public. More technical maintenance was done in Puerto Rico. His business provided much-needed revenue for Anguilla at the time, including employment and training for Anguillians, work for taxi-drivers and landing fees for the island.

presentation by Hon. Evan Gumbs to Mrs. Lena Lloyd

“Anguillians could easily send and receive mail and large packages of goods. Valley Air Service instantly became a type of FEDEX and UPS service. He was called upon and made himself available night and day, for various emergencies in which his airplanes were required. These included coast guard search and rescue missions for lost fishermen. Most of the time, these searches lasted for hours and days. He also provided ambulance transportation and/or transportation for deceased loved ones. He had a magnanimous heart or, as many Anguillians have shared with me, he was extremely kind. He often did these services entirely without payment. His air taxi service opened up easier access to and from Anguilla and helped to make the island better known. He established booking offices and employment across the Caribbean including St. Maarten, St. Kitts and the Virgin Islands. His charter services went as far as Florida.”

Miss Lloyd said her father was known and admired for his great courage and endurance. “During the revolution, he was called upon to risk his own life and that of his business and planes,” she went on. “He was forced to perform dangerous missions for which he could never be compensated. He was ordered to evacuate the police from Anguilla to St. Kitts at his own expense. He was also ordered to evacute the British representative, Whitlock, at his own expense. His vision was not limited to aviation. He purchased beachfront property in the Forest Bay area and built a villa complex.

“In 1977, at the age of 35, on Christmas Eve, his life was cut short, doing what he loved. He left too soon his young family, wife, Lena; daughter, Lisa Diane, and son, Alexei Vaughn Clayton. Captain Clayton Lloyd entered the hearts of Anguillians and others who shared his life and joy.”
Another speaker was Marcel Gumbs who, at the time of Captain Lloyd’s death, was an Air Traffic Controller at Juliana Airport in St. Maarten. Mr. Gumbs, now Air Traffic Coordinator between the French and Dutch Governments, spoke of Captain Lloyd’s Fedex service to St. Maarten. He recalled having been on shift the day of the fatal incident. “I think it is a very fitting decision taken to remember a son of the soil,” he stated. “We in the Caribbean do not often recognise our own, who built the country, and give them credit. Clayton has been a pioneer not only for Anguilla, but for St. Maarten.”

Former Valley Air Service pilot, Maurice Connor, said it was not possible to speak about the history of aviation in Anguilla without referring to Clayton Lloyd. He described him as having been one of Anguilla’s best pilots, a wonderful human being and a role model. He, other colleagues and many others, were grateful to the Government of Anguilla for finally re-naming the airport in honour of Mr. Lloyd. Connor thought it should have been done many years ago.

Ms. Jean Christian, the last Air Traffic Controller in St. Maarten who spoke to Captain Lloyd during the fatal flight, said it was a distinguished honour to have been invited to the ceremony. Ms. Christian, now Air Traffic Supervisor at Juliana Airport, said Captain Lloyd was a key person who laid the foundation for aviation and air transportation in this part of the region. “Captain Lloyd was not only a dedicated and excellent pilot, but he loved aviation and flying,” she continued. “More so, he was a person with a great heart and was always willing to give advice and assist whenever necessary. Clayton believed in working hard. He gave 100% input in everything he started and had a good sense and feeling for the business industry. I asked myself what aviation would have been today, had Captain Clayton Lloyd been still alive…The decision to honour a son of the soil by re-naming the airport to Captain Clayton Lloyd Airport, is the most welcome decision of the Government. I congratulate the Government, the people of Anguilla and especially the family and wife of Mr. Lloyd.”

The new name of the airport, on both sides of a billboard, at the entrance to the aviation facility, was then unveiled by Mrs. Lloyd and her daughter, to the cheers of those in attendance.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Deputy Airport Manager, Lyndon Hodge.

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