RECOLLECTIONS RELATING TO AN RCyAF FLIGHT TO DELHI IN 1962 – By Mahendra Situnayake, RCyAF / RAF
At the beginning of 1962, Ceylon was gripped by a Poliomyelitis Epidemic. If I remember correctly, there were many people, mainly children, who were infected – some died and some became crippled for life. In its search for a suitable vaccine, the Ceylon Government eventually decided to obtain a treatment (in pill-form) from the Russians. An arrangement was reached for the pills to be flown from Moscow to Delhi by a Russian aircraft; transferred to an RCyAF aircraft at Delhi; and then flown to Ratmalana for delivery to the Ceylon Health Authorities.
I was detailed to fly a Heron to Delhi, to receive the Polio Vaccine and to deliver it to Ratmalana for collection. I cannot remember who the members of my crew were. I have looked-up my log book and have seen the flight listed on 18th April – but no names of the members of my crew. I have a notion that Milroy De Soyza was one of my Co-Pilots, and I believe that there were a couple more pilots on the flight; and that Flt Lt Rodney Robinson and FS Elmo Alles were the Engineers detailed for the flight.
RCyAF Heron
Pic: Google Images
When we arrived at Delhi, there was a Russian aircraft on the apron. Once we had identified each other and ascertained that the Russian aircraft had the Polio Vaccine on board, the cargo was transferred to the Heron – which was then locked-up before we went into the airport to complete the arrival formalities and look for a representative from the Ceylon Embassy. I have only a vague recollection of this, but I think that there was someone from the Embassy awaiting our arrival – who gave me the address of our accommodation and then departed. My crew and I then went by taxi to our accommodation – and found to our dismay that it was a house in which we had been allocated two small bedrooms upstairs for about six of us! I remember that it was a dreadfully-hot night and none of us was able to sleep – because of the heat; because there were too many persons in each bedroom; and also because our beds were so uncomfortable. I spoke with Milroy De Soyza (who lives in Perth, Western Australia) – and he said that, very coincidentally, he had been thinking about that flight just a few days ago! He said that he had remembered how, in the middle of the night, I had poured cold water onto my bedclothes in an attempt to get cool and get some sleep!
On the following morning, I decided that none of us had slept sufficiently and that it would not be safe to undertake the return flight without an extra day of rest. So I asked our Landlord if we could stay in our lodgings for another night – and informed my colleagues that we would leave for Ratmalana on the following day. I cannot remember whether I asked our Landlord for fans for our bedrooms to help us to have a better night’s rest, but I do remember that the extra day of rest did help us. On the following day, the Imprest Holder (I think it was Rodney Robinson) told me that the Landlord was asking for a lot more money for our second day’s stay. I recall having a big argument with him and calling him a rogue!
Anyway – we departed for Ratmalana on that day, delivered the vaccine, and then returned to Katunayake.
A few weeks later, I was told by my Station Commander (Group Captain Ken Ritchley) that I was required to attend a meeting at the Ministry of Defence to explain why I had delayed our return from Delhi by a day. On the due date and time, I arrived at the Ministry – to find that the Ceylon High Commissioner to India (Sir Richard Aluwihare) and the RCyAF Commander (Air Vice-Marshal John Barker) were in attendance at the meeting.
Sir Richard Aluwihare
Pic: Google Images
I cannot remember who the Chairman of the Meeting was – but I recall being ordered to explain why I had delayed the return flight by a day, when the vaccine was so urgently required in Ceylon. I remember explaining that my crew and I had not had a wink of sleep on the night of our arrival and that, in the interests of the safety of the crew, the cargo and the aircraft, I had decided that the extra day’s delay was essential. I recall then being berated by Sir Richard for the delay. When he had finished, I quietly asked him “And where were you and your officials when all this was happening, Sir?” I remember him being unable to respond – and the Meeting was then wound-up with nothing more being said by anyone! And nothing more was ever said to me about this whole affair!
