My Memories of St Anthony’s (1961-1975)

By Major D.Swami Gwekandam (Retired)

Joined St Anthony’s School:  1961(Primary)

Completed Form Five: 1975

Career in the Malaysian Armed Forces

1975 – 1996:

Trained in Engineers (Bombs & Booby Trap Squad)

Joined 7^th Rangers ( Platoon Commander)

Served in Bukit Cina (Kelantan), Sarawak, Ipoh PLAW, Mentakab

Counter-Insurgency (Operations from Platoon Commander until 2^nd In Command of an Infantry Company, later attended  Company Commander’s course and Squadron Leader, eventually commanding a Mechanized Infantry Company

Courses attended : Combat Engineers, Mine Warfare and Booby Traps, Platoon Commander's Course  - Kota Belud, Sabah, Orientation Commando - Special Warfare Training Center, Sg Udang, Instructor Unit Combat Intelligence - Special Warfare Training Center, Sg Udang, 81 MM Mortar - Army Combat Training Center,  Unit Emplaning Officer, Regimental Signals Officer, Small Arms Coaching - Decentralized Australia in  Army Combat Training Center, Staff Duties, Company Commander - Army Combat Training Center (Pulada), Squadron Leader (Armour) - Armor School, Port Dickson, Training Development Officer and Sniper.

Multiple exercises with foreign forces: Aussies, NZ, UK, Singaporeans, USA.

Dec 1993- July 1994: United Nations Force in Somalia (World Food Programme)

I have spent 26 years in the armed forces as one of the few Anthonians who have performed combat duty. I was asked :”In what way has your Anthonian school life prepared you for combat duty?”

I had to do some real soul-searching to provide the answers. The “military” side of my personal formation has its roots in the “military-style” training given by Mr Lawrence Guok, our Discipline Master and PE trainer. I remember his merciless form of “circuit training” which we all had to undergo in Damian Camp (sorry,Damian Hall!) during our PE classes. I must also give credit to the St John Ambulance training especially under the personal inspiration of Brother Damian,our Director. It was his personal encouragement that made our SJAM team go all-out for championships at state and national level. We emerged Perak State Champions in 1969/70 for the Foot Drill and in First Aid.

I must also thank the school for the leadership experience that I had in my capacity as Deputy Head Prefect. Together with Head Prefect, S.Santhanadass, I was greatly feared by all the smokers in the school because of the many sudden and daring anti-smoking cigarette confiscation raids I conducted. (What happened to the confiscated cigarettes is a top secret classified under the Anthonian  Official Secrets Act!) .

You may think that the military code of conduct is a far cry from the spirit of “CARITAS NON FICTA”. It need not necessarily be so. Part of my military career was in counter-insurgency operations against communist forces in the Malayan and Kalimantan jungles. My real motivating factor was what I had learned about the ugly and repressive side of communism from none other than my beloved Brother John. During his English and history lessons, he shared with us his true stories of his life experiences in Communist-ruled Poland and Czechoslovakia.

In addition, I learnt from Brother John  what I call “the civilian code of conduct” – the Lasallian virtues of “caring for the last,the lost and the least.” It was this burning spirit of caritas that impelled me to undertake the UN mission in Somalia. Thousands of war refuges were facing death through starvation on account of the civil war there. My mission was to provide armed escort for a UN food supply line from Mogadishu to Baidoa (a 200-km stretch) and to Xuddur near the Ethopian border, around 500 kilometers away.We had to travel in the semi arid desert. I commanded the  mechanized infantry units that gave armed protection to  the UN food convoys on this route. I completed all missions successfully. Thousands of lives were saved in Somalia as a result of this mission. Plus, I acted as the team leader for the Quick Reaction Force. Isn’t this a worthy example of Caritas Non Ficta?

I would also like to remember all my other teachers who inspired me in various ways. I remember Miss Chan Oi Kim who walked me to school every Saturday for cocurricular activities. Mr A Ambrose was my headmaster in Primary School. He was a model of excellent speech and personal virtue. Brother Damian Oliver, my Principal (Director) in my secondary school years was an educationist of world class excellence. Mr Finan Monteiro was an idol of youthful idealism for us all. Mr Fabian was a kind soul who was always close to the young. Mrs Sally Chin was a mother to all of us. Mr Cyril Teoh, young and handsome, was a worthy role model for us. Mr Robert Tripp (American Peace Corps volunteer) gave us his personal thoughts on the ongoing Vietnam War.

        It is great to belong to St Anthony’s. I pray that the spirit of “Doing and Daring” lives on at our beloved alma mater!

  

Family of  Anthonian Blogger Louis Rozario Doss (L-R) Noel (son) , Felix (brother-in-law), Vinobha (son)  , Julie (Mother), Louis (Father) 

email: louisrd49@gmail.com 

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