Background
Sebastian is the only surviving son of Joseph Matthew Sebastian, who was a Member of the Legislative and Executive Councils of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla until his death in 1944, and Inez Veronica Sebastian (née Hodge).
Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Sebastian is the only surviving son of Joseph Matthew Sebastian, who was a Member of the Legislative and Executive Councils of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla until his death in 1944, and Inez Veronica Sebastian (née Hodge).
He studied at Mount Allison University, New Brunswick, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. He entered Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he studied medicine and graduated, in 1958, with a MDCM degree to become a surgeon.
He was appointed Governor-General in 1995 and was sworn in on 1 January 1996. While in office, he was the world"s oldest de facto head of state. His retirement was announced on 25 December 2012 and became effective on 1 January 2013.
He has served in Saint Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla as pupil teacher, learner/dispenser, chemist and druggist, laboratory technician, senior dispenser, medical superintendent and obstetrician–gynaecologist.
He was Chief Medical Officer of Saint Kitts and Nevis from 1980 to 1983. During the period 1962–1966, he pursued training at the Dundee Royal Infirmary, Scotland in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Sebastian was a rear gunner during World World War II in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Captain (Surgeon) in the Saint Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, local physician to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (Prince Charles), when His Highness visited Saint Kitts in 1973 (the Prince of Wales visited the island to open the newly restored Prince of Wales Bastion, 1 June). In addition, he was Aide-de-Camp to the Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla Premier, Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, when Bradshaw went to Buckingham Palace on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 25th year on the Throne.
Sebastian received the Auxiliary Forces (Officer"s) Efficiency Decoration (Education), and was made an Officer of Order of the British Empire (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) (civil division) from Queen Elizabeth II in 1969.
Dalhousie University honoured him with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, in 1998, and in 2005 he received an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Allison University. On 5 July 2002, he received an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons) of Edinburgh in Scotland, for his outstanding career and service to humanity in the field of medicine. Prior to Edinburgh, he received an Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
In 2005 the College of Arms granted him his personal Coat of Arms.
On 3 March 2012 Sebastian welcomed the Earl and Countess of Wessex to Street Kitts and Nevis during their visit to the Caribbean as part of Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth World War II On 1 January 2013 Sebastian retired as Governor-general of Street Kitts and Nevis. There was a retirement ceremony, during which he made a speech.
Active Royal Air Force, 1944-1945. Captain surgeon St. Kitts Nevis Defense Force, 1958-1960. Member Rotary of St. Kitts.