Fondly known as Chief (G.I.) among his colleagues, Tuan Kamaldeen Rahim joined the Royal Ceylon Navy in 1944, during World War II.
He was among the first batch of 100 sailors who helped to build the formidable modern Sri Lanka Navy of today.
He was also one of the very few sailors to be sent to the United Kingdom on three occasions for training and to take delivery of ships for the Sri Lanka Navy. One of these ships was the famous and last warship, H.M.Cy.S Parakarama.
During his 18 months’ training in the UK, he consistently achieved his “target”, thus impressing the British naval officers.
On completing his training in the UK and India, he passed out as a fully fledged Gunnery Instructor, Class I.
As a trainee, he participated at the funeral of King George VI, the present Queen’s father, and he was among the organisers of the naval-style state funeral accorded to Prime Minister S.W.R. D. Bandaranaike, in 1959.
Chief (G.I) Rahim guided hundreds of officers and sailors of the Regular Sri Lanka Navy and Volunteer Naval Force. He was also proud to be the first Sri Lankan Gunnery Instructor, as his predecessors were all Europeans from the Royal Navy.
In his last years, my grandfather lived with us. His loving wife, Gnei Mass Rahim, continues to live with us.
My grandfather left Darul Fana on June 14, 2009. May Almighty Allah bless him and grant him Jennathul Firdouse.
Arshad Musafer |
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