Monrad Metzgen
Encyclopedia
Monrad Siegfried Metzgen (1894- 13 May 1956, Belize) was a well known national hero of Belize
having been a leading citizen in the Colony of British Honduras
.
(Town) a Belizean Creole of humble parentage in 1894 and died, suddenly of poisoning, on 13 May 1956. Monrad was the son of Carl Alexander Metzgen, the former Auditor General (1911) of Belize, British Honduras. Monrad Sigfrid Metzgen's mother, Esther Almira Bevans (born on 17 January 1869 in Belize and died in 1944), was the second wife of his father (the first one was Estelle Greene). His father, Carl Alexander Metzgen (born on 24 July 1860 and killed in Petén on 13 March 1930). His grandfather, Charles Alexander Metzgen, was born 1816 in Denmark
the son of Johan Christian Metzgen (1784–1843) a retired Danish naval officer. Monrad had three children: Louise, Humphrey and Frederick (Bill). He attended St. Mary’s Primary School, continued to private secondary education. Monrad became an erudite person by his own private studies.
Subsequently he acted as District Commissioner in Orange Walk, an Auditor and then Director of Colonial Audits. He was Treasury Superintendent in 1932 and District Commissioner in Stann Creek in 1935. A serious, near-fatal accident eventually caused his retirement in 1939.
On 17 September 2009, Captain Metzgen was posthumously awarded the Order of Distinction from the Government of Belize in recognition of his dedication to Community and Public Service.http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz/press_release_details.php?pr_id=5625
and was promoted to full Lieutenant when the Defense Force was formed in 1928.
Following the Hurricane of 1931, he was put in charge of the rescue of the trapped, the feeding of the homeless and the burial of the dead. For that heroic work he was promoted to Captain and awarded the M.B.E. by King George
.
In 1935 he was given the Military Efficiency Medal
for British Honduras
.
Agricultural Society; producing an Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition in 1928 and 1931. In 1927, he convened an Agricultural Conference which brought together Planters from all over the Colony. Subsequent to this conference, the Governor of British Honduras
appointed an Agricultural Advisory Committee with Monrad as one of its prominent members.
During World War II, he traveled the Colony making speeches on the dire need for agricultural development and become synonymous with his matra: “grow what we eat and eat what we grow".
having been struck by the number of bicycles Belizeans used to attend weekly cricket games in rural areas. He developed idea for a cycling "expedition" to San Ignacio in order to test cyclists' ability to cope with a then-badly built Western Highway. The Governor immediately pledged support and offered a cup as a prize to the winner of the race — a race that continues annually to this day. He enlisted the support of such notables at Matron
L.M. Roberts of the Public Hospital, Royal Bank of Canada
local manager Charles Beattie, Frans Dragten, Reverend Cleghorn, medical officer Lieutenant Colonel
James Cran and that of a young surveyor, Henry Fairweather. Within a month he had the whole programme together and launched.
On April 2, 1928, a parade and inspection of the cyclists was organized by Monrad Metzgen and attended by the Governor, Superintendent of Police and others, who congratulated the cyclists and sent them on a parade through the town's streets. The official race kicked off on April 5, 1928 from in front of the courthouse at 5:00 AM. The trail was along the Western Highway to San Ignacio (55 miles from Belize City). The first rider into Cayo (90 miles in total), Elston Kerr, was cheered for making it into town in about 13 hours. The men stayed through the Easter holidays, feasting, eating, playing cricket and soaking up the accolades of the Cayo faithful. They also visited Benque Viejo
and San Jose Succotz, the westernmost settled areas in Cayo. On April 9, the expeditionists set off at 5:00 AM to return to the City
, their progress reliably reported through of all things, the telephone service. Kerr, of Burrell Boom, finished first in 21 hours 29 minutes, 81 minutes ahead of second place Norris Wade, also of Boom. Race organizer Metzgen finished in 30 and a half hours.
Subsequent to the race, Monrad Metzgen formed and chaired the British Honduras Cyclists Association in June 1928. As a result of his experience in the race, he was a key proponent of improved public roads ensuring that successive Governors of the Colony became interested in road building.
Three terms on the Belize Town
Board;
the Belize Electricity Board;
Chairman of the St. George’s Caye Day Celebrations Committee;
Secretary of the Welcoming Committee when Colonel Charles Lindbergh
flew into Belize
in 1927;
Secretary of a committee to promote the building of a really first class hotel for the town;
President of the Native Jockey Club; and
President of the Eureka Band.
He belonged to the Belize Literary and Debating Society and gave speeches and wrote papers on the value of educating the masses, including campaigning for a Public Library in Town
.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
having been a leading citizen in the Colony of British Honduras
British Honduras
British Honduras was a British colony that is now the independent nation of Belize.First colonised by Spaniards in the 17th century, the territory on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, became a British crown colony from 1862 until 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became...
.
Family
He was born in BelizeBelize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
(Town) a Belizean Creole of humble parentage in 1894 and died, suddenly of poisoning, on 13 May 1956. Monrad was the son of Carl Alexander Metzgen, the former Auditor General (1911) of Belize, British Honduras. Monrad Sigfrid Metzgen's mother, Esther Almira Bevans (born on 17 January 1869 in Belize and died in 1944), was the second wife of his father (the first one was Estelle Greene). His father, Carl Alexander Metzgen (born on 24 July 1860 and killed in Petén on 13 March 1930). His grandfather, Charles Alexander Metzgen, was born 1816 in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
the son of Johan Christian Metzgen (1784–1843) a retired Danish naval officer. Monrad had three children: Louise, Humphrey and Frederick (Bill). He attended St. Mary’s Primary School, continued to private secondary education. Monrad became an erudite person by his own private studies.
Government Service
Monrad joined the Government Service in 1910 as a Copyist. After 10 years he was appointed an Internal Revenue Officer.Subsequently he acted as District Commissioner in Orange Walk, an Auditor and then Director of Colonial Audits. He was Treasury Superintendent in 1932 and District Commissioner in Stann Creek in 1935. A serious, near-fatal accident eventually caused his retirement in 1939.
On 17 September 2009, Captain Metzgen was posthumously awarded the Order of Distinction from the Government of Belize in recognition of his dedication to Community and Public Service.http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz/press_release_details.php?pr_id=5625
Military Service
In 1918 he was 2nd Lieutenant in the Territorial Army of British HondurasBritish Honduras
British Honduras was a British colony that is now the independent nation of Belize.First colonised by Spaniards in the 17th century, the territory on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, became a British crown colony from 1862 until 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became...
and was promoted to full Lieutenant when the Defense Force was formed in 1928.
Following the Hurricane of 1931, he was put in charge of the rescue of the trapped, the feeding of the homeless and the burial of the dead. For that heroic work he was promoted to Captain and awarded the M.B.E. by King George
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
.
In 1935 he was given the Military Efficiency Medal
Efficiency Medal
The Efficiency Medal was a medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
for British Honduras
British Honduras
British Honduras was a British colony that is now the independent nation of Belize.First colonised by Spaniards in the 17th century, the territory on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, became a British crown colony from 1862 until 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became...
.
Civil Society
Monrad Metzgen was one of the founders of the British HondurasBritish Honduras
British Honduras was a British colony that is now the independent nation of Belize.First colonised by Spaniards in the 17th century, the territory on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, became a British crown colony from 1862 until 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became...
Agricultural Society; producing an Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition in 1928 and 1931. In 1927, he convened an Agricultural Conference which brought together Planters from all over the Colony. Subsequent to this conference, the Governor of British Honduras
British Honduras
British Honduras was a British colony that is now the independent nation of Belize.First colonised by Spaniards in the 17th century, the territory on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, became a British crown colony from 1862 until 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became...
appointed an Agricultural Advisory Committee with Monrad as one of its prominent members.
During World War II, he traveled the Colony making speeches on the dire need for agricultural development and become synonymous with his matra: “grow what we eat and eat what we grow".
Sporting legacy
In 1928, on a bicycle ride in the country on the Northern Highway, Monrad Metzgen conceived the idea of what became the first Cross Country Cycling ClassicCross Country Cycling Classic
The Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, usually shortened to the Cross Country Cycling Classic or "Cross Country" for short, is a one-day amateur cycling race held in Belize every year during the Easter holidays...
having been struck by the number of bicycles Belizeans used to attend weekly cricket games in rural areas. He developed idea for a cycling "expedition" to San Ignacio in order to test cyclists' ability to cope with a then-badly built Western Highway. The Governor immediately pledged support and offered a cup as a prize to the winner of the race — a race that continues annually to this day. He enlisted the support of such notables at Matron
Matron
Matron is the job title of a very senior nurse in several countries, including the United Kingdom, its former colonies, including the Republic of Ireland, although the title Clinical Nurse Manager has become acceptable as an alternative.-History:...
L.M. Roberts of the Public Hospital, Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada
The Royal Bank of Canada or RBC Financial Group is the largest financial institution in Canada, as measured by deposits, revenues, and market capitalization. The bank serves seventeen million clients and has 80,100 employees worldwide. The company corporate headquarters are located in Toronto,...
local manager Charles Beattie, Frans Dragten, Reverend Cleghorn, medical officer Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
James Cran and that of a young surveyor, Henry Fairweather. Within a month he had the whole programme together and launched.
On April 2, 1928, a parade and inspection of the cyclists was organized by Monrad Metzgen and attended by the Governor, Superintendent of Police and others, who congratulated the cyclists and sent them on a parade through the town's streets. The official race kicked off on April 5, 1928 from in front of the courthouse at 5:00 AM. The trail was along the Western Highway to San Ignacio (55 miles from Belize City). The first rider into Cayo (90 miles in total), Elston Kerr, was cheered for making it into town in about 13 hours. The men stayed through the Easter holidays, feasting, eating, playing cricket and soaking up the accolades of the Cayo faithful. They also visited Benque Viejo
Benque Viejo del Carmen
Benque Viejo del Carmen is a town in the Cayo District in the country of Belize.-History:The town was established in the 19th century, mostly by immigrants from Guatemala. During the first years of the 21st century, the town experienced a rapid boom in population...
and San Jose Succotz, the westernmost settled areas in Cayo. On April 9, the expeditionists set off at 5:00 AM to return to the City
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, their progress reliably reported through of all things, the telephone service. Kerr, of Burrell Boom, finished first in 21 hours 29 minutes, 81 minutes ahead of second place Norris Wade, also of Boom. Race organizer Metzgen finished in 30 and a half hours.
Subsequent to the race, Monrad Metzgen formed and chaired the British Honduras Cyclists Association in June 1928. As a result of his experience in the race, he was a key proponent of improved public roads ensuring that successive Governors of the Colony became interested in road building.
Board positions
Metzgen served on numerous Boards and Committees, including:Three terms on the Belize Town
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
Board;
the Belize Electricity Board;
Chairman of the St. George’s Caye Day Celebrations Committee;
Secretary of the Welcoming Committee when Colonel Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
flew into Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
in 1927;
Secretary of a committee to promote the building of a really first class hotel for the town;
President of the Native Jockey Club; and
President of the Eureka Band.
He belonged to the Belize Literary and Debating Society and gave speeches and wrote papers on the value of educating the masses, including campaigning for a Public Library in Town
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
.
Further reading
- Handbook of British Honduras: Henry Edney Conrad Cain and Monrad Metzgen
- Monrad Metzgen: Notes on British Honduras.
- Monrad Metzgen: Shoulder to Shoulder or the Battle of St George's Caye, 1798.