Described as the “Perry Mason of the West Indies” Rupert Archbald was born on 2nd January, 1898 in San Fernando. He was one of six children born to Robert and Marcelline Archbald. He attended the San Fernando Borough School where he won a Government Exhibition to Queen’s Royal College and from there won an Island Scholarship in 1917. After teaching at Naparima College for two years, in August 1919 he proceeded to London, England, to study law at Gray’s Inn. Having successfully completed his examinations, he returned to Trinidad and was called to the Bar in 1922.
He set up his practice in San Fernando. While in England he met and fell in love with Jessie Irene Trimmer. She joined him in Trinidad and they were married in the San Fernando Methodist Church on 18th September, 1929. Rupert had five children, David (deceased), Joyce, Noel (deceased), Margaret (deceased) and Elizabeth. He also had ten grandchil dren. After the death of his first wife he married Ruby Jagessar (deceased) on 3rd September, 1947.
Rupert took silk in 1949, then known as King’s Counsel (KC). The title was changed to Queen’s Counsel (QC) on 2nd June, 1953 on the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. He served as President of the Bar Association of Trinidad and Tobago from 1964. On 26th January, 1972, at age 74, when he attained his golden jubilee at the Bar, his colleagues lauded him for his outstanding services to the legal profession and the fact that he was an inspiration to the younger practitioners, some of whom reverently called him “The Chief”.
Mr. Frank Misir, QC, in eulogizing Mr. Archbald said that in the old days he would have been knighted, just as Sir Lennox O’Reilly and Sir Gaston Johnston, for his outstanding services to the legal pro fession. He described “The Chief” as “one of the greatest criminal lawyers in the British Commonwealth and one who never tried to equate success with money. Mr. Ranjit L. Persadsingh, who spoke on behalf of the Utter Bar, said Mr. Archbald always stood out with dignity and was a true leader in every sense, and he hoped that a book would be published on the “workings of The Chief (Mr. Archbald) so that the younger practitioners will be able to read about him and his work as a lawyer”. Mr. Archbald had figured in many sensational murder cases and had become almost a household name. He was also awarded the Trinity Cross in 1972.
On another note, Rupert was initiated into Lodge Alexandra in San Fernando (No. 1044 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Scotland) on 27th April, 1923. He rose to the degree of Master Mason on 9th August, 1923 in less than four months – a great achievement in that day. He received the Mark Degree in 1924 and was installed as Right Worshipful Master in 1927 and again in 1930. He was a Past Master at the time of his death.
Rupert also served as a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church for over thirty years. He believed that a positive attitude, discipline and performance are the keys to successful living. He would also say that “In God’s world there is always a twig for the sparrow”, always an opportunity out there for those who feel depressed to lift themselves up.
He passed away on 12th December, 1978 at the age of 80, still a practising Attorney-at-Law.