The dashing Flamer Caldera’s

Dr. D. B. Flamer-Caldera, affectionately known as “Dadda” to everybody was a legend. He lived in Barnes Avenue with his wife “Mama” and his family of six boys and one girl. “Dadda” had a massive practice and most of his patients belonging to the less privileged class, received his expert medical attention gratis. He was also known as “No Charge Doctor”.

The Flamer-Caldera brothers were individually and collectively fun-loving and happy-go-lucky. All staunch products of “Esto Perpetua”, they were excellent swimmers. I knew all of them and spent much of my holidays at ‘Rollicker’, enjoying their fun-loving company.

Shelton, the eldest, was sharp, smart and unpredictable and did not surprise anybody when he decided to enlist and fight for England in World War II. I personally did not think it was his loyalty to the British that prompted the enlistment, but his adventurous spirit.

He joined the Royal Air Force as a Spitfire fighter pilot, and carried out dozens of sorties protecting the Lancaster bombers over Germany, and eventually came good in the Battle of Britain to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to Sri Lanka after the war and was stationed in Sigiriya with a Spitfire squadron. He came to Colombo regularly and we used to meet at The Pagoda over rice and curry in the company of Lucian de Zoysa, Douglas Munasinghe, George Ponniah, Brookie and Anno D’Silva, Neville Jansz and a few others. Soon afterwards tragedy struck when Shelton was practising aerobatics in preparation for an R.A.F. display in aid of charity. He was practising a spin, roll and loop when he failed to get out of one and crashed into the sticks of Sigiriya. A sad end to a delightful man.

Conrad was tall and good looking- an excellent Police Officer, good swimmer and accomplished tennis player. He married Fay Andree, the sister of Ivan Andree, the famous dance band leader. They have three children – Dianne, Jeremy and Gabriel- all quite successful in Sydney. Australia.

Allan came next. A high ranking Police officer, he was an all-round athlete of distinction. He captured an outstanding beauty Christine Drieberg. They had four children – Maxim, a successful businessman, Jilska, a famous hurdler, Nicola, a model and Kurt, well established in New York. Maxim and the two sisters are in Sydney. Christine at 82, is still stunning.

Then comes the ‘Doctor in the House’, Douglas Flamer-Caldera. A great swimmer and flashy cricketer during his college days, Douglas was a dangerous pacey who opened for S. Thomas’ enjoying extremely successful seasons in inter-collegiate matches. He sparkled at Medical College ending up as a highly qualified gynaecologist.

He married pretty Mystica Vanculenberg and they have three children, Tammy, Dirk, a successful businessman married to former model Anithra Peiris, and Rosanna, affectionately known as Rosa.

Dennis, the Navy man came later. He was closely associated with swimming and lifesaving. He married Mignonne Kelaart - a star concert singer with her sister Decima. They have two boys, Wendell and Learie.

Finally, came the last boy, Markie. A lieutenant in the Fleet Air Arm, he married Barbara.
Bringing up the rear was Pearl who married Captain Basil Henricus, rugby, boxing and athletics star. They had two children Diedre and Cholmondley.

Although the Flamer-Calderas have moved away through the Pearly Gates, this tremendous family of delightful people will long be remembered.

I knew them all individually and relished their company particularly through the early years at ‘Rollicker’, and later on at the Otters and Royal Colombo Golf Club. Their wives though are still with us: Fay Andree and Christine Drieberg in New South Wales ; Mystica Vancuylenberg in Colombo, Mignonne Kelaart in New South Wales and Barbara Meier in Melbourne.