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Ex-Commandant of the prestigious No.1 E.M.E. Centre, Bolarum, Secudnerabad from 1971 to 1973. Has just celebrated his 80th Birthday on the 11th of July this year.

Was commissioned into the Army, in the Crops of Electrical and Mechnical Engineers, in December 1947 from the I.M.A. Dehra Dun. His course was the first batch of Independent India’s commissioned officers. It is slated to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee in December this year at the IMA Dehra Dun. Coursemates from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (who started their training all together in British India) and those who have migrated to U.K., Australia, Canada and elsewhere, shall meet. Perhaps for the last time.

Underwent cobat, technical and management training of all descriptions during his career. Weapons Course at The Infantry School Saugor in 1948; Degree Engineering in Pune 1948-50; All Arms Senior officers’ Courst at College of cobat, Mhow 1964 Senior EME Officers’ Management Course of MCEME Secunderabad 1968 – 69 and many other training programmes at prestigious institutions, including a one year Post Graduate technical training at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore.

Was appointed as an Instructor in the EME School Secunderabad in 1954 – 56; was selected to serve on Deputation with the Border Roads organization at Texpur, as Commander Eastern Base Workshop, 1963 – 66 (responsible for Assam; NEFA; Bhutan; Sikkim; Meghalaya; Mizoram and Nagaland); was Commander EME of the illustrious 1 Armd Division of Hyderabad fame 1966 -69; Chief Industrial Management Engineer, HQ Tech. Group, New Delhi 1973-77 and Commandant of an Army Base Wksp. In the fort Allahabad.

On retirement, was inducted into the Border Security Force as Chief of EME at the HQ, New Delhi 1979 – 1984. Was selected by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1984, as the technical adviser in a 3 member team, to visit the British Army Equipment Exhibition in the UK and then to the USA from where he was instrumental in selecting the famous Sturm Ruger hand gun for the entire Police Force of the country.

Subsequently worked with William Jacks; The Assam Company (Tea); Granite Industry; Ordnance Factory Yedumelaram and with Duncan MacLean of UK at Secunderabad till 1996, well nigh 60 years of age.

Was a keen hunter, in the days when big game hunting took pride of place amongst hazardous sporting activities. Had several notable successes. Started with ingeniously shooting the much-feared leopard of rangarh Cantt: in 1957, at a distance of 6 ft, from a hole dug in the ground inside a thorny lantana bush. Was one of the few hunders in the country that was granted an Elephant Control Licence. Started by shooting down the famous Rogue of Jhargram, Bihar in 1970, that was responsible for the death of several people and the wanton killing of numerous cows and buffalos. Another two rogue elephants were shot in Assam. Shot his tiger in Madhya Pradesh in 1962. Also Bear and Leopards as well as several other well sought-after hunting trophies of the time. With special permission from by the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, bagged a prize male Bison in the in the forests of Nalgonda. The head mounted trophy was presented to the 54 Division, as it is their Divisional Formation Sign. Was much appreciated by them.

Is now a keen Wild Life Enthusiast. He and his wife have visited every single Wild Life Sanctuary in the country, at least once, including the Sunderbans, with the exception of only the Gir Indian Lion Sanctury, which is on the cards. His wife and his doctor daughter Sandra, who lives in the UK, are also keen on Wild Life. They went together in 2002, to see the vast number of animals and birds, in all the Game Reserves of both Kenya and Tanzania. Was a keen firer and excelled with the Sten Gun. Was the best amongst all officers, JCO’s and men. With personal zeal, he trained his 1 EME Centre Team, to win 21 Gold Medals at the Army Rifle Association Meet in 1972. A record that has never been touched.

Has been a member of St. John’s Church (with gaps when he was not at Secunderabad) from 1954 till today. His daughter was baptized in St. John’s in 1955. He vitalized church activities in Saugor when he was there in 1948. There was no church in 1 EME Centre in 1971. He created a beautiful church from an old disused paint store and named in St. George’s Chapel. It has a very large congregation today, with its own full time Army Pastor. Every year it holds an Easter Sunrise Service at the top of a hillock in the Centre campus. A huge crown of both Christians and non-Christians attend. Col Don is always invited to read from the Bible, which he precedes with a very enlightening talk, to enable the congregation to better understand what is about to be read, with particular emphasis for the non-Christians attending. He was the Honorary Secretary of the Delhi Cemeteries Committee from 1985 till 1989. He completely streamlined the functioning of the Prithviraj Road Cemetery, New Delhi. He introduced the 2 and 3 tier vault system of burial which was well received and which is still being followed to this day. He also introduced the disposal of ashes and remains of excavated graves, by relocating the remains in niches in a wall, (specially constructed for the purpose) within the precincts of the cemetery. This too was well received and is very much still in vogue till today.

Was nominated to be a member of the Pastorate Committee of St. John’s for the biennium of 2005 – 2007 and again on the present Pastorate Committee for 2007 – 2009.

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