Sir Raglan Presents

The Abridged Story of My Life

Yes, that's me, all bald and turning beautifully grey. The years have taken their toll, but they have not dampened my spirits. I don't like talking about myself, but some web site visitors insist they want to know me better. They pamper me with such kind words about my site that the least I can do is to quietly swallow my pride and expose myself for all to see. So, have we met before? I truly appreciate your support and trust this exposure will please you immensely. No! I have not been knighted! But, you will agree, Sir Raglan sounds rather important don't you think? So are we all. Raglan (Rags) Riviere


My Local Roots My Mama & Papa

I was born Raglan Eugene Riviere, fourth in the family, in the village of Massacre in September 1935, in the then British Colony of Dominica, now the independent Commonwealth of Dominica- not to be confused with the Dominican Republic. During my school years I lived in Colihaut, Portsmouth, Roseau, Goodwill and Canefield. My father, like most head teachers then, made the rounds of the village schools till he finally retired as an Education Officer. Mama's roots are from Anguila. A teacher and housewife, known affably as 'mam' in the community. She raised five boys and one girl to the best of her ability but always with tender loving care. May her soul rest in peace.
Papa was partly of French stock, hence my surname. His father came from French Guyana. He was a teacher all his life, stern with the rod, but unsurpassed in professional results. He left a legacy of success to which hundreds continue to testify.


My Illustrious Brothers & Sister

Here are Mama and Papa's children:
Arlington, first born, a career civil servant and graduate in Public Administration, was Dominica's Ambassador Extraordinary to the United States and Officer of the Organization of American States (O.A.S.). Now retired.
Osborne, B.A. (Econ.), M.A. (Int. Trade.), Dip. (Int. Rel.), second born, presently a Labour Party Senator, was also a career civil servant who represented Dominica in several overseas positions, including the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM).
Mervyn, M.D., F.R.C.S., L.L.B., fifth born, presently operating a medical practice in Florida, U.S.A.
William, B.A., Ph.D., L.L.B., last born, is an historian, a career lecturer in Caribbean History; presently writing and practising Law in Dominica.
Mama's only daughter:
Doreen, third born, a graduate in Social Work, is the Director of Save The Children Fund in Dominica.


My Education My Work Experiences

Elementary: As stated above, I followed my father to all village schools beginning at Massacre and ending at Portsmouth where I won a common entrance scholarship to secondary school.
Secondary: I attended the Dominica Grammar School from 1948 to 1955 obtaining the Senior Cambridge School Certificate which gave me the qualification to be employed in the Civil Service.
University: In 1959 I emigrated to England to join the Royal Air Force where I served for five years. During that period I obtained further university entrance qualifications in Economics and British Constitution. After discharge from the R.A.F. I attended evening classes at the Regent Street Polytechnic, London, obtaining an honours degree in Sociology, (B.Sc.) from London University. I returned to Dominica in 1969 and in 1972 was granted a World Health Fellowship to study and obtain a masters degree in Health Administration, (M.H.A.), from the University of Ottawa, Canada.







At thirteen years old, while attending the Grammar School, I began working on Saturdays at the firm of J. Astaphan & Co, then on Old Street, earning $1.00 as an Assistant Sales Clerk. I joined the firm when I graduated until I was appointed Clerical Officer with the Civil Service. There I served at the Registry, Post Office and Treasury before emigrating to England. In the British R.A.F. I became a Senior Aircraftsman serving at the Central Medical Establishment in London and at Royal Air Force Pergamos in Cyprus. Upon discharge, I joined the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as a Statistical Officer and later Research Officer. When I graduated in Sociology, I returned to Dominica to join the Civil Service as an Administrative Cadet to be promoted later to Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. In 1970 I was promoted to Hospital Administrator designate of the Princess Margaret Hospital which became substantive after qualification.
In 1978 my family and I migrated to Canada where I joined the Ministry of Correctional Services as a Correctional Officer spending the last twelve years of service at the Ontario Correctional Institute. Since my early retirement in June, 1998, I am endeavouring to establish myself as a Writer.


My Hobbies & Interests

I am consumed by three major pre-occupations:

Creative Writing: This has been my long time passion which I began in earnest when my wife presented me with a type writer as a birthday present many years ago. I decided to learn to type from Pitman's lessons by writing a story. This story eventually became my first published novel, Rumpunch and Prejudice. Since then, I have completed Born Too Late which is being edited, and now composing His Honour The Administrator.

Instructional Booklets: My creative mind has always sought solutions to problems related to interpersonal relations, no doubt why I studied Sociology. The result, so far, is the preparation of two instructional booklets, How To Measure Your Love and How To Interpret Your Dreams. Don't log off before perusing them.

The Internet The creation and maintenance of this web site is testimony enough of the depth of my interest in the Internet. All this grew out of my curiosity with the concept of the Information Highway. My ultimate goal is to set up a manageable internet business to earn extra income.


My Family Support Group

Loving Wife
Denise, Grenadian by birth, n�e McIntosh, is the perfect personification of loving, caring and reliability. She has been the rock on which our family stands from its beginning in 1962. In good and in bad times she has placed her unvavering faith in God from whom her strength derives. We are very blessed, indeed!		 Spirit-filled Daughter
Jacqueline, our only daughter and first born, is a devoted Christian who has dedicated her life to Jesus in a singing ministry. She holds a B.A. degree in Psychology, York University, Canada, and post graduate Diploma in Human Resources. She leaves her future in the hands of the Almighty.		 Muscular Son
Emile, our only son, is a physical fitness enthusiast. He hopes to write that best-selling, instructional book on holistic, physical well-being that the world is waiting for! Demure, standing 6'2", he is very sensitive to the needs of others, and takes life in his stride, unshaken by the cynicism around him.