BURGHER RECREATION CLUB’S GREATEST SON DESHABANDU MAJOR GENERAL BERTRAM RUSSELL HEYN (Born October 1, 1912) – A COLOSSUS AMONG LEGENDS – By Dennis de Rosayro
ROYAL COLLEGE, COLOMBO
Educated at Royal College, Colombo, and passed the Cambridge Junior Examination in 1927.
Represented Royal College at Cricket in the 1929 and 1930 Annual Royal-Thomian big matches, and also in Rugby Football and Athletics.
He coached the Cricket Team from 1945 to 1947.
GOVERNMENT TRAINING COLLEGE, MAHARAGAMA
Successfully completed his studies and training for Teachers.
- PETER’S COLLEGE, COLOMBO
He coached the Cricket team in 1946 who beat St. Joseph’s College in the big match for the 1st time, and again in 1947.
He also served as a Teacher for a period of time.
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BURGHER RECREATION CLUB
I first met this legend when I joined the Burgher Recreation Club as a Benedictine schoolboy, 2 days before my 17th birthday on 8th March 1954.
He had just finished his routine batting session at the centre wicket. Sturdy and handsome he was 41+ but looked like a 30 year old.
My connection with the great man was very close at the Club and during his lifetime.
He took a great interest in my long hockey career and went on to recommend and proposed my name as Hony. General Secretary in 1962, which office I held up to 1975, and served during his Presidency from 1965 to 1975. On stepping down he proposed my name as the Vice President in 1976 (only one). It was a wonderful learning experience working alongside an extra-ordinary and knowledgeable Administrator who seemed to know everything.
Earlier he proposed my name as Coach of Women’s teams in 1959 and youngsters in 1962, which positions I held until 1976.
HOCKEY
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Represented the Club from 1929 to 1952, was a brilliant and feared Centre Forward, particularly known for his first time powerful hits from the top of the ‘D’ resulting in many a spectacular feast of goals. He captained in several seasons, playing in the winning teams of 1941, 1948 to 1950 and 1952, and in all major tournaments conducted by the Ceylon Hockey Association. The League tournaments were not conducted from 1939 to 1947 and K/O tournaments from 1942 to 1945.
CRICKET
Represented the Club from 1929 to 1956 in all tournaments conducted by the Ceylon Cricket Association. He was a hard hitting and elegant batsman who topped the averages most often than not. He excelled in the Cover-point position and was a more than useful Off-spin bowler. He captained in several seasons.
He inaugurated a ‘Coaching School’ for aspiring teenage cricketers in the Sixties. A very nominal fee was levied to cover overhead expenses. He identified those who could ill afford and thus no fee was levied.
He was regularly selected to represent the Ceylonese vs. European annual traditional matches. As an All-rounder, he was a vital member.
CEYLON HOCKEY ASSOCIATION/SRI LANKA HOCKEY FEDERATION
1938 – Vs. Trichnapoly State H.A. and Manavader State H.A.
1947 – Vs. India (2 Tests) (Captained in 1st Test)
Chairman of the Selection Committee in 1960 and 1961
President of the Ceylon Hockey Federation from 1964 to 1968.
In 1955, he umpired versus the Delhi Wanderers and in 1958 versus Madras Hockey Association. Had the honour of umpiring at the 1st National Hockey Championships of Sri Lanka in 1956 and again in 1958 and 1959.
COLOMBO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Vice President – 1955 to 1959
President – 1960 to 1964
CEYLON CRICKET ASSOCIATION / BOARD OF CONTROL FOR CRICKET
He led the Ceylon C.A. Team to South India in 1947, and was one of Ceylon’s most hard hitting batsmen during the period 1932 to 1950 and a brilliant Cover-point fielder.
In 1948 versus Australia, he dismissed the great Sir Donald Bradman with a fast off-break, caught brilliantly at Cover point by R.L. de Kretser (also B.R.C.), for only 20 runs.
He was Manager of the Sri Lanka team to England in 1979, Pakistan in 1974 and Sharjah in 1985.
He was President of the Board of Control for Cricket from 1977 to 1979 and was Administrative Secretary of the Board from 1983 to 1992, being the first full time professional Administrator, a stupendous career ending at the age of 80 years.
RUGBY
This superb athlete also represented the Ceylonese in 1936 against a British Services X1 as a fast running Rugby Wing Three-Quarter.
CAREER IN THE ARMY
He joined the Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers and received a Commission on 1st September 1940. He went on to be Major on 3rd October 1945, Lieutenant Colonel on 9th February 1955, Colonel on 4th November 1959, Brigadier on 21st March 1964 and Major General on 11th November 1966.
Having portrayed the noble qualities and exemplary character, he was able to win the love and admiration of his superiors, colleagues and subordinates.
In recognition of his courage and efficiency, as well as honesty, modesty and loyalty, he was awarded the following medals :-
1939-1944 – Defence Medal
1939-1945 – War Medal
1953 – Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal
(Second in Command of the Contingent which took part in the Queen’s Coronation Parade held in London)
Commander of the Sri Lanka Army from 11 November 1966 to 30 September 1967.
After completing 30 years of service in the Army, he retired from the regular force on 30th September 1967.
He was presented ‘Deshabandu – Class I” at Colombo under the Public Seal on 22nd of May 1990.
FAMILY
Russell married Edna May Johnson, daughter of Harry Johnson and Edith Maria Wood of Staines in Middlesex, U.K., at the Dutch Reformed Church, Bambalapitiya on 25th October 1941. They had two sons, Richard Russell, who represented Ceylon at Hockey and First Grade Cricket for the Burgher R.C., and David Peter, who represented Ceylon in Cricket and First Class Hockey for the Burgher R.C. and Nondescript C.C. and First Grade Hockey at the Burgher R.C. and Havelock S.C.
Edna was President of the Ceylon Women’s Hockey Association and prominent member of the Burgher .R.C. Edna worked as Matron of the prestigious Joseph Frazer Nursing Home.
Dennis de Rosayro
Member 1954
(Life Member 1978 and Patron 2014 to date)
August 2022
