“MEMORIES” – by Des Kelly

“MEMORIES” – By Des Kelly

“Yes, I do still remember this ‘Green’ when it was totally of that beautiful shade. I still remember H.M,Cy.S. “Vijaya”,  the Minesweeper and former H.M.S.”Flying Fish”, the British had presented to the Royal Ceylon Navy, with due appreciation for what our Ceylonese lads had done to help them during W.W.2.

H.M.CY.S.”Vijaya” was the first and ONLY Ship that our Royal Ceylon Navy had, at the time, a tiny Vessel in comparison to the much larger warships owned by the British Navy, and yet, she was what was known, both as the ‘flying fish’ and ‘floating cork’ that would not sink, no matter how ‘heavy’ the Seas were. As the name suggested, she was used firstly by the British, to sweep and get rid of, the hidden Sea mines that dotted the Oceans around us. She was also the very first ‘training-ship’ for the R.Cy.N., of which, at 17+ years, I joined up, as a Supply Assistant (Off. No.E 635), whose main job was getting in the requirements of the Navy ASAP, from the Government Stores.

Getting back to my memories of Galleface Green, I still remember that it was on this beautiful area, bordering the “ho gahana pokuna” as the Sinhala folk called the sea, 

The Royal Ceylon Navy mustered a welcoming bunch of Sailors in honour of the First Sea-Lord,Louis Mountbatten, on an official visit to our little Country. Being the tallest in the welcoming platoon, I was chosen to be the right-hand marker,

as the position was known, and I still remember Lord Mountbatten pausing right in front of me as he inspected our welcome-platoon and said to me, “you’re quite tall, to be in such a small Navy”. I could do nothing, but stare straight ahead. while in the ‘present-arms’ position with my old .303 rifle clutched in front of me, but I will never ever forget that the FIRST EVER Sea-Lord spoke directly to me, and I couldn’t even answer back. 

It was also on Galle-face Green, that Ceylon’s first (and best) Prime Minister Mr.D.S.Senanyake fell off his horse, when the animal stumbled, hurting the P.M. rather badly.

Finally, before Galle-face Green became Galle-face Brown, I do remember the Galle-face Hotel, situated right at the top of the Green, where I did many floor-shows with the Gazali Amit Band backing me to perfection. These are just a few of the wonderful MEMORIES I have of G.F.Green, some happy and yet, some sad.

Just thinking about them, makes me realize that I spent the first 26 years of my life, in my Lovely Island Home, and still think of the Indian Ocean around G.F.Green, as this 

HO GAHANA POKUNA.

Desmond Kelly. (Mr.Music)

(Editor-in-Chief),   e’Lanka.