Food, water, fuel and vehicles, it was this crucial supply line that this old soldier had been an integral part of, in the theatre of war that was the Middle East, not so long ago.
Now a nonagenarian, having celebrated his 92nd birthday on the 17th of last month (October), the places he has been to, the things he has seen, the duties that he has performed meticulously, flow fast and furious from his lucid memory.
The four medals awarded to him have pride of place in his home at Kolonnawa. They are the 1939-45 Star (Battle of Britain); Africa Star ((8th Army or 1st Army of North Africa 1942-43); Defence Medal (Silver laurel leaves – King’s Commendation for brave conduct, Civil); and War Medal 1939-45 (Oak Leaf).
Venturing into the very heart of Egypt and Lebanon and later Eritrea in his line of duty, this sprightly soldier of the British Royal Army, Ahmed Udmalebbe Mohamed Hashim served the Crown during the height of World War II, dubbed the most devastating war which raged from 1939-1945, between the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy and Japan and the Allied Powers of France, Britain, the United States of America, the Soviet Union and China.
The bombardments, the flashes of gunfire, the dust, the grime, the blood and the ravages of war were never far away, always there as a backdrop for Mr. Hashim.
Wanderlust, he says with a slight smile playing on his lips, it was wanderlust that lured him to join the army. Back at home, in Kahatapitiya, Gampola, as a little boy his yearning had been to go into medicine, to become a surgeon but high fees and the lack of money effectively “made it a dream and nothing else”.
He hastens to add that the family had land, particularly paddy, “but money was scarce” and after his schooling he took up various jobs as an Assistant Steward at the Nuwara Eliya Hospital, a mechanic which he soon gave up because he detested “grease on the fingers” and tea-making as a creeper on an estate, finally settling for the army when he heard through word-of-mouth that they were looking for raw recruits.
Joining the Royal Army Service Corps. with many other locals, as a lad of 23, having grown some stubble that could hardly be called a beard and rubbing charcoal to blacken it to give him a look of maturity, as he had been rejected once before for being too young, the training was at the camp in Panagoda, in the suburbs of Colombo. “We were trained for everything, including combat,” he says, stressing that they were to serve abroad, not in Ceylon.
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| All smiles: Hashim in Eritrea |
Shipped from Cylon to the Colaba camp in India and from there to Egypt, he recalls that troop movement between countries was “mainly restricted to the night because of the threat of torpedoing”. It was slow, with the journey lasting about three weeks, but he as a carefree youth “was happy to go”.
Lounging on the deck, of course under the supervision of British officers, the recruits spent their time indulging in games such as tombola. A mischievous glint comes into his eyes as he harks back to one particular game where he had bought just one card with No. 55. It was a winning streak that whole night without a lapse, with Mr. Hashim collecting a tidy sum. The embarrassment of a coloured private winning against everyone else including white officers was only overcome by him after ordering a round of drinks for all those present and acquiring many new friends in the process. “I being a Muslim didn’t drink,” he says.
Offloaded along the Suez Canal to a “transit camp” where there was a fine mix of British, Australian, African and Singaporean troops, Mr. Hashim, a rookie, along with a British sergeant who had done a stint in Ceylon earlier, pored over documents to “post” the thousands of soldiers. His tenure in the Middle East also began then, with him being posted to various camps supplying vitals such as food, drinking water, fuel and even vehicles.
“In one barracks in Cairo, we had to supply goods to 70,000 troops,” says Mr. Hashim drawing a picture of the enormity of such an operation. The depot was huge with fresh supplies and dry rations and he along with a large team had the task of preparing packages when the requirements were sent in.
He reminisces about another camp in the canal zone, “a god-forsaken area”, which was scarcely populated due to the unbearably sweltering heat generated by the scorching sun.
But it was not work all the time. He and his brother-soldiers did take time off to take in the sights of the massive pyramids and visit the museums, although having to keep to the “lights out” condition in the camp.
From Egypt, it was on to Lebanon and a camp which had been earlier occupied by the French. He vividly remembers how cold it was, with the redeeming factor being “hot showers” which they could take.
The battle zone was always close, “though we were not in the immediate danger spot we were in the danger area”, he says, explaining that those who came back from the battle-lines were “restricted in their speech” but Rommel, the ‘Desert Fox’ was a subject of interest.
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| 1946: With Capt. Howe in Egypt |
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| With fellow soldiers in Syria |
“No one knew when he was moving or where he was moving to,” says Mr. Hashim, spot-on about the elusive strategy of the Germans, the bottom line of which was the element of surprise. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was even respected by his enemies for the way he led the German Afrika Korps as its Commander.
Mr. Hashim’s diligent work was rewarded with quick promotions……..Lance Corporal, Corporal Sergeant and finally Warrant Officer Class 2 A (Civilian).
Soon after demobilization, with the end of the war, Mr. Hashim’s career in the British Army didn’t end – he served in mufti, which he takes the trouble to explain as being in civilian clothing in the Occupied Territory of Eritrea, “doing all kinds of work” including acting as an interpreter whenever they had to deal with Italians, as he was fluent in Italian. (Eritrea which had been under Italian control was taken over by Britain during WWII)
It was to Britain that Mr. Hashim headed as a British passport-holder after his tour of duty of 10 years in uniform and mufti, going back to Eritrea later, this time to work for the American military initially as Personnel Manager and then as Commissary Manager at a receiving and transmitting site.
He contrasts the radically different procedures in the British Army with those in the American military, laughingly explaining that though British soldiers were issued their uniforms free of charge, the Americans had to buy them.
Thereafter, it was time for him to head back home to Sri Lanka, which he did in the late 1950s, settling down to marriage with pretty Afeela Sheriffdeen and raising a family while engaging in the textile business by setting up the Nirmila Company.
However, the tug of the Middle East where he had spent his youth was strong and that’s where he returned to work at a transport company in 1978, coming back home for good only in 1984 and taking up textiles once again along with embroidery of bridal trousseaus, his skill with suturing and sewing coming in handy.
Now amidst the love and care of his wife, three children and six grandchildren life is leisurely for him…….no idling though, he says with a twinkle in his eye, for he is into the property business, as proudly announced by a large board at his home.
“I also help young people find their life’s partner,” adds Mr. Hashim, the matchmaker, softly.
Camaraderie at RAF: Memories of a centenarian
Louis Hector Wijesinghe, Veteran of World War II - was born on July 6, 1910. His father was the Rev. Charles Wijesinghe, and his mother was Sophia Mellina Wijesinghe. Louis was a sprightly little fellow, and had a brilliant career, both in studies and in sports.
He married Charlotte Irene in 1942 at Christ Church, Kotte. Then he had enlisted in the British Army in Ceylon, under World War II conditions, and rose to the rank of Sergeant. On October 4, 1946, he joined the Royal Air Force, as a Civilian Radio Officer attached to the Air Traffic Control Tower and was discharged in 1959, on account of the withdrawal of the Royal Air Force from Ceylon.
He was then drafted to the Ceylon Air Force on October 12, 1959. He retired with full pension facilities in June 1970.
Louis is able to recall from memory, from time to time, some of the activities he was involved in. The duties he and his comrades had to perform were tough and highly disciplined, but it was a pleasure to work with their Commanding Officers, who were all British personnel. His reliability and his efficiency enabled him to receive commendations from the respective Commanders.
Louis Wijesinghe still recalls, as memory enlightens him, the fine fellowship and camaraderie that kept him in fine service trim. The R.A.F. was no place for sleepyheads, and did certainly play a prominent "watchdog" role in those distant years. It was the most challenging episode in his life, for the unit he served was full of tact and integrity.
After those hectic service years, and once disbanded, he had kept in touch with many a past comrade in different parts of the world. Back to civilian life, he had no difficulty in finding a job, for many post-war establishments sought men of his calibre. Now he stands out as a straight-backed centurion, nor has his humour left him, as he sits watching the sunset of his life, in the happy environment of his dear family who love him, and are proud of their "Old Soldier", mindful of the adage - Old Soldiers never die… ! May he bear his present form for many more years, as we stand to salute him.
H. Shelton A T.Peiris |
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