Compton Hartley Liverpool is a ‘Special Person’Colonel Liverpool’s climb up the military ladder was phenomenal, starting with his appointment to the rank of Corporal in November 1965 right up to the rank of Lt Colonel before his retirement.By Michael Benjamin Soldiers are special citizens that pledge allegiance to country. Their every action is laden with nationalistic fervor. To this effect, the life of a soldier is oft times fraught with danger. Though a rifle– often referred to as their wives; an ever present source of comfort– is a very important inclusion to their kits, diplomacy oft times eliminates the need for such firepower.Notwithstanding this, diplomatic efforts have been ineffective in the past and many countries have resorted to war as the final alternative to address territorial and other concerns.In the USA, military personnel have been involved in global confrontations that have precipitated vicious jungle warfare with high-powered weapons and other military prerequisites, a distinct variance to their Guyanese counterparts who are seldom required to venture onto the battlefield to solve territorial issues or even to protect this country’s sovereignty.The Venezuela/Guyana imbroglio is a classical example. Even so, the old idiom ‘failing to prepare is virtually preparing to fail’ cannot be more stringently underlined as, despite sparse war activities, Guyanese soldiers continue to engage in tough jungle exercises, participating in overseas courses and virtually coaxing a little more effort and energy from their tired bodies to attain top physical fitness in preparation for any eventuality that requires jungle warfare in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty.It was with such nationalistic fervor nestling in his breast that now retired Lt. Colonel? Compton Hartley Liverpool decided to don military garb many moons ago in service of this country.A fanatic for neatness,Cheap NFL Jerseys, he earned the sobriquet ‘Black Prince,’ a tab that suited his immaculate mode of dress and darkly handsome features. The neat appearance remained a prominent feature of his fatigues throughout his illustrious military career.Lt. Col. (Retd) Hartley LiverpoolThey say that a professional soldier’s life does not fit easily into a biography unless the soldier is a senior commander. Even so, the biography centres on grand strategy and not necessarily the coarse details of the battlefield and/or the combat infantryman in the field. The ‘Black Prince’ would be the first to support this view as he did when Kaieteur News spoke with him recently at his East 31st Street, Brooklyn NY home.During the conversation, the military stalwart relived his years in what he referred to as a noble profession.Lt. Col Compton Hartley Liverpool was born on January 1, 1936 in Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana (then British Guiana). He attended the Brickdam St. Mary’s R.C. and subsequently the Bedford Primary School before culminating his lower education at the Central High School.In 1955, he responded to a nationalistic calling and joined the then British Guiana Volunteer Force (BGVF) and was assigned to Company C as a Private under the command of Captain, Cecil ‘Pluto’ Martindale.“Those were great days when soldiers wore their ambitions on their lapels with pride,Cheap Jerseys China,” mused Mr. Liverpool as he relived the nostalgia.Noted for his application to his tasks, Colonel Liverpool’s climb up the military ladder was phenomenal, starting with his appointment to the rank of Corporal in November 1965 right up to the rank of Lt Colonel before his retirement.Hardly had he donned the former decoration on his lapels than he attended the Conversion Course and won the Top Student award. Naturally, his performance earned him another promotion, this time to Sergeant.The experts believe that perseverance produces success, and when supported by application and commitment, it further produces mind boggling results. This theory could not have been more strongly underlined than with Colonel Liverpool’s constant progression to the top of the heap.During his illustrious years in the disciplined services he notched up many meritorious accolades. He became the first Platoon Sergeant of the First Recruit Platoon trained by personnel from the British Army with Second Lieutenant Carl Morgan as Platoon Commander.Then in 1966 he was assigned to B (2nd) Company as a Platoon Sergeant with Lt. Oscar Pollard as Platoon Commander and Major Peter Hiscock of the UK as Company Commander.Receiving the Military Service Medal (MSM) for valour from President Arthur Chung in May 1970Thereafter, the accolades started to pour in, not by partiality on the part of his superiors, but more for The ‘Black Prince’s’ application to his work. “You have to possess a genuine love for the profession, to really appreciate the joys of the trade,” Mr. Liverpool