32 Facts About Monrad Metzgen

Monrad Metzgen's grandfather, Charles Alexander Metzgen, was born 1816 in Copenhagen, Denmark and was son of Johan Christian Metzgen a retired Danish naval officer.

Monrad Metzgen had three children: Louise MBE, Humphrey and Frederick.

On 17 September 2009, Monrad Metzgen was posthumously awarded the Order of Distinction from the Government of Belize in recognition of his dedication to Community and Public Service.

Monrad Metzgen entered the Civil Service as a Copyist on 4 March 1910, and ten years later he was appointed Internal Revenue Officer.

Monrad Metzgen was made Chief Income Tax Collector in January 1924.

Monrad Metzgen was Treasury Superintendent in 1932 and District Commissioner in Stann Creek in 1935.

Monrad Metzgen held this position for three years and assumed the Commissionership of the Stann Creek District in September 1935.

Monrad Metzgen's retirement was hastened by a disaster in the Stann Creek Valley, when he was nearly crushed to death in a collision.

Monrad Metzgen spent a long period in Stann Creek, Belize and Guatemala City Hospital.

Monrad Metzgen was appointed 2nd Lieutenant of the British Honduras Territorial Forces in June, 1918 and on the formation of the Defence Force in 1928 he was appointed a Lieutenant of this Force.

Monrad Metzgen was in charge of the Defence Force during the first two days after the Belize hurricane of September 1931.

Monrad Metzgen was a member of the Church of England in British Honduras.

Monrad Metzgen was the founder of the British Honduras Agricultural Society and helped stage the agricultural and industrial exhibitions in 1928 and 1931.

Monrad Metzgen was a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee appointed by His Excellency the Governor and Chief Justice Greenidge as Chairman.

Monrad Metzgen served with the Honorable C Douglas-Jones and the Honorable Willoughby Bullock on a Treasury Inquiry Committee and he was Secretary to the Colonial Lindbergh's Reception Committee and a Hotel Committee of which the late Honorable Sally Wolffsohn was Chairman.

Monrad Metzgen acted as Private Secretary for His Excellency Colonel Maxwell Hinds with on a special mission of investigation to El Cayo.

Monrad Metzgen was the first Treasurer of the Infant Welfare League.

Monrad Metzgen was the first President of the Eureka Band and the first President of the Native Jockey Club.

Monrad Metzgen gave to Stann Creek flourishing Poor Relief Organisations.

Monrad Metzgen organized and was the Chairman of the British Honduras Cyclists Association and his Cross Country Cycle Races demonstrated in a tangible manner the urgency of a road programme for the Colony.

Monrad Metzgen was Chairman of the Debating Club for 10 years and campaigned for the establishment of a Public Library and a Town Hall for Belize.

Monrad Metzgen's travels took him to Guatemala City, New Orleans, New York City and London.

At the Shipmates Club at Stann Creek and at the Eureka Band Concert at the Park, Monrad Metzgen addressed the people of the District in 1935.

Monrad Metzgen thanked them for the cooperation he received from them during his administration and for their prayers and attention during his recent illness.

Monrad Metzgen had hoped to inaugurate a five-year plan for Stann Creek with the aim of laying a sound economic foundation for that District.

Monrad Metzgen hoped Stann Creek would get a District Commissioner who will serve her better than he did and he promised that during his retirement he will be ready and willing to serve the District and the colony in any way he can.

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 Classic having been struck by the number of bicycles Belizeans used to attend weekly cricket games in rural areas.

Monrad Metzgen developed the idea for a cycling "expedition" to San Ignacio in order to test the cyclists' ability to cope with a then-badly built Western Highway.

On 2 April 1928, a parade and inspection of the cyclists was organised 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.

Race organizer Monrad 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.

Cain, the Brief Sketch of British Honduras, by John Burdon, former governor and the Book Shoulder to Shoulder by Monrad Metzgen, all talk about the exploits of the Baymen.