Ex-Services News

National Convention on Elder Rights

The National Conventional on Elder Rights for forwarding proposals at the UN Convention to be conducted shortly was held at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo on August 16 with the participation of UN Resident Representative Dr Subinay Nandy.

Human Rights Commission Sri Lanka chairman Justice Priyantha Perera, Professor Savithri Gunasekera, Professor Indralal de Silva, Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando, Helpage advisor Dr Leel Gunasekera, Social Services Ministry Additional Secretary N K Abayratne, Jezima Ismail, and several important personalities from various groups participated.

This was conducted under the auspices of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Development Programme.

UN Elders Convention, issues faced by the elderly, Policy, Legislation and Institutional Framework, Social Security, Social welfare, Old Age and disability were some of the topics that were presented by the key speakers at this convention. Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen Association was represented at this convention by SLESA President Captain Patrick Jayasinghe.

SLESA Ex-Co Meeting

The Executive Committee Meeting of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association will be held on August 30 at Danture Hall of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Institute. The office- bearers meeting will be held at 1500 hrs.

The monthly meeting of the Veterans’ Home Committee will be held on August 27 at 4hours at the SLESA Secretariat 29 1/1, Bristol Street, Colombo 1.

The monthly Ex-Co meeting of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps Ex-Servicemen's Association will be held on August 25 at 1000 hrs at the SLESA Secretariat 29 1/1, Bristol Street, Colombo 1.

The monthly Ex-Co meeting of the Military Police Veterans Association will be held on August 26 at 0900 hrs at the SLESA Secretariat 29 1/1, Bristol Street, Colombo 1.

THOSE FIRST FEW DAYS

I must admit that it was quite by chance that I joined the Navy. In fact, my mind had been made up for me by my uncle, the late Sir Susantha de Fonseka, who came home one fine morning, informed me that certain Officer vacancies in the Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force had to be urgently filled, took me by the hand and the next thing I knew was that I was on my way in his car to the CNVF Headquarters at Kochchikadde! There, I was ushered into a small office and introduced by my uncle to a very large man, who seemed to occupy the whole room.

And that was how I first met Commander Willoughby Greaves Beauchamp (referred to as Beach when he was not about), the much loved Commanding Officer of the CNVF. (Commander Beauchamp was promoted to the rank of Captain on 8th February, 1943). This meeting took place just after Christmas 1941. As a result of the interview, I was asked to forward an application to join the Navy. This I did and, without much delay, I received a letter of appointment as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force with effect from New Year's Day, 1942.

So it will be seen that it all happened at the rush but I have never regretted the on-the-spot decision I took after meeting Commander Beauchamp and I have been ever grateful to my uncle for guiding my footsteps for there is no doubt in my mind that the Navy was responsible for making a man out of me and moulding my life.

Paymaster Lieutenant D S de Fonseka (affectionately called “Susie” by his friends in the Navy) and another uncle. Surgeon Lieutenant S R Gunewardena (Dr. Reggie and also SRG) were there to offer me a cordial welcome on my first day at Kochchikadde. A few days before, I had been to the Sick Bay for the medical test and checked by Leading Sick Bearth Attendant John Edward de Zoysa, whom I mistook, in my ignorance, for an officer as he was wearing a peak cap and I thought only Officers wore such caps. So I was most respectful to him and addressed him as Sir and he was “highly bucked”. Needles to say, de Zoysa was a good friend of mine from that day and always offered to recommend extra sick leave for me on the rare occasions that I was unwell.

The instructions I received on my arrival at C N V F Headquarters on that fateful first day in January were brief, terse and as follows ;- “Report to No.1”. This intrigued me considerably as it sounded most mysterious. In the corridor outside the Commanding Officer's Office on the first floor of the Headquarters’ building, trying to look serious but failing conspicuously, I spied a known face, a fellow Royalist. I cautiously inquired from him as to the whereabouts of the No. 1. With that well-known impish grin, he took me to the mysterious person's sanctum.

And there, I came face to face with another Royalist, Sub-Lieutenant Kenneth Maitland Martinus, trying to look as important and impressive as possible at a desk, which was complete with In and Out Trays and full of files. The aura of mystery vanished forthwith at this encounter and I found myself at ease.

Kenneth, apart from being a Royalist, was also a parishioner, of St. Michael's Church, which I attended. On this day, a mere acquaintanceship was strengthened into a friendship, which has lasted over the years. When he pleaded guilty to being No. 1, I promptly asked him as to who No. 2 was and he laughed heartily and started to enlighten me about Naval affairs, I was not to know then that the two of us would afterwards serve together in the Royal Ceylon Navy as Supply Officers.

My two uncles saw to it that I did not feel strange and they introduced me to the other Officers in the Wardroom. At the start, I was quite in awe of Monnington, Noel Gratiaen always had a kind word for me and I remember Dougle Simpson's very descriptive language as I felt the lash whenever I tripped up. One had to guard against Hildon Sansonis’ practical jokes and the likable Norman Ferdinands was friendliness personified. On the first day itself, just before lunch, we had our first taste of “Susie's Special”. This was a short-eat, which was served as an appetizer and consisted of a bread and butter sandwich on which was thickly spread seeni-sambol laced with tomato sauce. It was a Wardroom favourite, which kept the stewards busy.

I suppose one cannot refer to the Wardroom without mentioning the Chief Steward, Peter Perera, who took a fatherly interest in all Junior Officers. When he learnt that I was Susie's nephew, he gave me extra special attention. The Wardroom Galley was capably managed by Cook Easparam (nicknamed Exasperation as he stammered) and the fare was excellent. Whenever he served an extra special dish, he had a habit of hovering near the door of the dining room in anticipation of the applause.

There were two others, who also joined the Services on the same day, Rajanathan Kadirgamar and James. Kirkpatrick (Jimmy). Rajan parted from the University to join the Navy and Jimmy came from a mercantile firm. Even at the early stages, Rajan showed signs of turning out to be a thoroughly versatile sailor and he became not only the Head of the Navy but an Admiral. Alas, as for the amiable Jimmy, he was not destined to remain with us for long as he died as a result of a swimming accident in November 1943. They say that those whom the Gods love die young.

Strangely enough several years later, I was assigned the task of distributing war medals and it therefore fell to my lot to send Jimmy's medals to his father, who sent me a touching letter of acknowledgement. It is also a coincidence that I am now living next door to where he is buried at the Liveramentu Cemetery, Torrington Avenue, Colombo.

Our training commenced straightaway and we were put through our paces in more ways than one. Our instructors were Royce de Mel and Carl Ohlmus (navigation), Rajah Deutrom and Ivor Murray (Rifle Drill), Warrant Officer Chambers, R.N. (Seamanship), Neville Mendis and V Sinnarajah (Morse and Semaphore).

I remember that I did not take kindly to Semaphore (or is it the other way about) and taxed the patience of Neville and Sinna to the utmost. But they were most patient with me. Chief Petty Officer Mark Fernando, under the vigilant eye of Warrant Officer Chambers initiated us into the intricacies of knots and splices. Needles to say, I was tied up in knots at the start. (Incidentally Chambers, was the typical counterpart of an Army Sergeant Major being a hard taskmaster with a picturesque vocabulary). It was not long before we were taken on board the “Sambhur” and shown around the ship.

Hildon Sansoni was the skipper and he was quick to put me to the test by ordering me up to the Crow's Nest. Most probably he expected me to plead for time to find my sea legs! But I was quite unperturbed and mouthing the watchword “Slow and Steady”, I quietly ascended and descended without mishap much to the skipper's disappointment. Any how, he smilingly patted me on the back when I completed the task.

Our first outing to sea will always remain a vivid memory. While Rajan and Jimmy remained completely unruffled on the bridge, it was not long after we left harbour that I had to be escorted by Neville Perera to the rails and given a training “on how to be sea-sick without making a nuisance of yourself”. Here I must say that I was singularly fortunate in being given expert tuition by Neville as he had himself undergone the misery of being sea-sick at the start. Subsequently, on stepping ashore on our return to, harbour, I felt that we were experiencing an earthquake as the terra was by no means firma!

It took me a few trips to sea to get over my sea-sickness and I still remember the string hopper feed I tucked into on board the day I found my sea legs. It is quite easy now to talk lightly about sea sickness but it was a horrible experience. I must add that our entry into the Navy was keenly hailed by the Junior officers and we were rather puzzled by the extra solicitude shown by them about our getting into uniform without delay.

The reason was not far to seek. With the minimum of under studying, we were put on the Duty Roster as Duty Officers and some of the most senior of them (Royce and Carl if I remember right) were exempted from a duty turn whilst the others had easier turns, which enabled them to see their girl friends more often. I have briefly mentioned some anecdotes of our training which come to my mind as I pen these lines and without comparing notes with the others concerned. So this is by no means a comprehensive account. Rather the jottings one of who, in a reminiscent mood, is trying to recapture the past.

As it was wartime, our training of necessity could not be extensive but of a basic nature. It was up to us to find out and learn as much as possible as we worked. Both Senior Officers and sailors went out of their way to put us in the way of things. And so it was that we were blooded into the Navy and given our assignments. Our adventurous and unpredictable journey in life had begun! Shortly, we were to experience the Easter air raid by the Japanese and with it the thrills and the spills and, of course, the havoc and the tragedy it wrought.

Today, in retrospect, after all these years, it is evident that there is a wealth of material to write a book. Some of those who joined in the early days, are still in the Navy.

There are also many, who on leaving the Navy, have conspicuously distinguished themselves in allied and other vocations. A veteran, who has the aptitude to put a fluent pen on paper should chronicle the saga of the Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force, the Ceylon Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the birth of the Royal Ceylon Navy. It will certainly make absorbing reading especially for the younger generation and serve as an invaluable record in later years.

Captain (S) Dennis Cooray, RCyN Contributing to the Silver Jubilee Souvenir of CRNVR Association 1970. Memoirs of a War Veteran Abyzov on a mission Captain Volkov was very friendly and requested Abyzov to visit him saying that they were from the same village. However, because of this he was not sent to the front which was his dream but was left to serve the school as an assistant instructor.

Even though abyzov appealed to Volkov he was told “But somebody has to train the recruits”

Abyzov and his friends resumed their studies, and he worked in the capacity of an instructor this time. The boys were only one year younger to him who were cadets only the other day.

In the spring of 1944 Captain Volkov summoned Abzov and said, “You're going on a mission, get ready for it” “Where?”, “it is an unusual mission” He said, in a confidential tone “We have to help Lt. Stupakov's family. His wife has written to the commandant of the school. They are hard up in the village” “But Stupakov is no longer with us. He is the front” Abyzov said. Captain cast an icy glance. “Very well comrade Captain”, he murmured, “The mission will be fulfilled”.

Abyzov was given his papers and rations for 10 days and Volkov gave him two letters. “First you go to the collective farm Chairman and if that doesn't help, go to the party district Committee. And this is for his family” Volkov nodded at the rather big bundle wrapped in a ground sheet.

He had heard the officers were collecting a parcel made out of their own rations, but abyzov had not expected it to be so large, approx 20 kilograms. “It must be delivered safe and sound” Captain Volkov said. Abyzov was on his way to the Panza region and was to alight from the train at a small station. The village of Zhuravli was about 25 kilometers from the station with no transport.

He had to make the journey on foot, being an out of the way place. Passenger trains were irregular and the tickets, were as a rule unobtainable. Two days later he got off the train and after a nap at the station masters room, trudged to Zhuravli along a country road at dawn.

It was the end of May and normally there should have been people working in the fields but he did not see anybody nor the throbbing of the tractor engines. However in the outskirts of the village he saw two pairs of cows in yoke, pulling ploughs driven by women. Zhurvali seemed to be a small village of about 20 to 30 families.

He was aware that the times were hard in the countryside because of the war. All the men had gone to the front to fight for the country. All the available horses and tractors had been mobilized. Almost all the food grown in the field and the farms had been consumed by the war effort.

To be continued