The Life of Late Lieutenant HENRY MARC MOURGAYEN MAURY
Henry Marc Mourgayen Maury born on 14 December 1916 at Remy Ollier Street Port Louis joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps in 1941 and served in the British Army twice during six and a half years till 20 October 1948. Henry Marc was from a modest family with one brother and two sisters. Both dad, Govindasamy, and mom, Atcheecanoo Narayana, were from Port Louis town. Henry Marc studied up to primary level and followed several courses prior to taking employment as shipping broker. Henry Marc married to Anne Arekion on 15th January 1940 and later became the proud parents of six children namely Marie Georgette, Marie Therese Florise, Herve Marc, Charles Alain Angelo, Yves Karl Georjie and Marie Suzelle Pamela. Henry Marc enrolled in the Army on 3rd September 1941 at Belle Village, Port Louis. He served in Egypt from October 1941 to July 1943. He was then posted in Sicily from July 1943 to September 1943. On 22 June 1944, Henry Marc was promoted to the rank of Sergeant after a two years of service as Corporal. As a Sergeant, he had to lead a team of twenty five soldiers performing different duties such as Cooks, Store works, Cleaners, Drivers and Watchman. He was then posted to Italy up to June 1945.
From October 1945 to July 1946, Henry Marc served in Mauritius. From March 1947 to September 1948, he served again in Egypt, and sadly during that same period, he lost his daughter Marie Therese Florise. Henry Marc was further promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 20 October 1948. During his service in the Army, he was awarded the 1939 – 1945 Star Medal, the Africa Star Medal, the Italy Star Medal and the War Medal 1939 – 1945. In his capacity as a Lieutenant, Henry Marc was also required to act as Court Martial Prosecutor or Defender in cases of military offences.
After his discharge from the Army, Henry Marc returned to Mauritius and worked in different organisations. He worked as Supervisor from July 1954 to May 1958 at the former Ex-servicemen Welfare Fund, now the Mauritius Ex-Services Trust Fund. He then later worked for the Mount Sugar Estate for more than fifteen years and retired as the Chief Store Officer in the year 1982. Although being in full time employment, Henry Marc continued to serve his comrade in arms and the community at large. He was also a member of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund for more than twenty-five years. He also served as the President the ExService Association of Mauritius and the Mount and Pamplemousses Cooperative Credit Union. Henry Marc Maury was awarded the President Badge of Honour by the President of the Republic of Mauritius on the 12 March 1995.
His recognition was not only for his service in the Army and for the Ex–servicemen Community but also for having been actively engaged in socio cultural activities and also for having served as President for the Indo Mauritian Catholic Association. On 2 March 1995 in the context of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the WWII, Mr Henry Marc proposed the creation of a museum to pay tribute to Ex-servicemen. He passed away on 26 February 1997.
The Life of an Armed Guard- LAVAL MAURICE MOKA
Laval Maurice Moka, born on 6 June ,1926, at Gentily, St Pierre, joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps on 08.10.1943 . He was from a very modest family. Mr Leon Moka, his father was a carpenter and his mother, Mrs Loufoukin Moka, was housewife. Laval attended the St Mary’s school at Moka from 1931 up to 1936. After completing his standard five, he left school to assist his dad in the carpentry field.
After gathering knowledge in carpentry works, he joined another workshop where he worked as assistant carpenter, earning 50 cents per week. At the age of 16 he and his family left Gentily for Eureka, Moka, and he was recruited as general worker in a construction site at Baie du Tombeau sea plane station.
At the age of 17 Laval Maurice Moka joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps. He was enrolled at Vacoas Military Camp and then transferred to Belle Village Camp for a military training of 3 months after which, he embarked the Charleswin Cargo Passenger Ship for Egypt together with around 400 other Mauritians. On his way, the ship stopped at Mombassa, Kenya for replenishing Charcoal.
After Mombassa, he passed by the Red sea and finally reached Port Said – Egypt. He then embarked on lorry for Cassassin Training Camp. The training was for a period of 3 months and he was, then, assigned duties as an Armed Guard.
His mission was to guard small concrete shed containing ammunitions, weapons, parachutes and other valuable objects and tools together with other soldiers.
This work was perilous during at night as they were constantly in danger of being attacked by Arabs who wanted to rob the ammunitions. The Arabs could crawl on the ground for long distances and they needed to be very vigilant. The Guard Shift was for a period of every 2 hours. After Cassassin, Laval Maurice Moka embarked on the Union Castleline Cargo Passenger Ship for Italy. The Ship comprised of British, Africans and Mauritians. Disembarked at Taranto where he worked on the wharf for a short period of one month, he then moved to Gessy for further training.
He was then transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps in Florence where he was trained and worked as Military Driver. After Florence, he was shifted to Aba Sultan in the Aviation Port where he worked for nearly 3 weeks. Laval Moka Maurice went on Holidays to Cairo, Egypt, and finally embarked on a journey back to his motherland, Mauritius. He was discharged from Military on 21 September 1946, and then later he joined the Ministry of Works. He got married to Marthe Helen and has 4 children. He retired at the age of 50.
The Life of a Military Police - PALNIVEL RAMASAMY
Born on 18 July 1931 at Fond du Sac, Palnivel Ramasamy is a friendly retired policeman living at Coromandel. He is from a very modest family. His father, Vadivel, was a supervising officer at Belle Vue Pilot Sugar Estate whilst his mother, Mareaye Vellien, a housewife. He attended Grand Baie Primary School up to standard VI and later started working as labourer at Belle Vue Pilot Sugar Estate at the age of 12. At the age of 20, he joined the Royal Pioneer Corps, and most precisely, the 2064 company. He was enrolled at Le Chaland on 10 March 1952 and trained for 3 weeks.
After training period, his company moved to Moascar – Egypt. There, he worked as Military Police officer and he also learned to drive 3 ton lorries. He then embarked the Empire Midway passenger cargo ship to Cassassin and trained there for a period for 6 months. After 15 months spent at Moascar, his company moved to Fayid, Round About Camp.
There, he was also assigned the responsibility to drive military vehicles of 1 and 3 tons. After few months, he moved
to Famagusta Cyprus where he continued to serve as Military Police. He returned back to Fayid, Round About Camp as Military Police and spent some months there before returning back to Mauritius on 12 March 1955.
Back to Mauritius, he continued to work as labourer and driver. In 1962, he joined the Mauritius Police Force and was posted at Rose Belle Police Station till his retirement age in 1991. He got married to Rajoo Chuttoo on 18 June 1962 and has 4 daughters. He lost one daughter aged 45 and his wife passed away on 26 September 2018.
The Life of a Mauritian in the Auxiliary Territorial Service CLAUDINE MARIE THERESE LARIDON
Claudine Marie Therese Laridon, born on 07 December 1926 at Beau Bassin, joined the Mauritius Women’s Volunteer Force on 17 February, 1945. She was from a modest family with 2 brothers and 3 sisters. She attended the Notre Dame de Lordes RCA at Rose Hill and later Sainte Michael College at Rose Hill itself. At the age of 14, she felt extremely sad when her dad Donald Antonio, left Mauritius to serve as pioneer in Egypt. She missed her dad so much that at the age of 18, she applied secretly to be enrolled in the Mauritius Women’s Volunteer Force. Her main objective to join the army was only to meet her dad there.
On 17 February 1945, she got her convocation letter and everyone at her place was stunned. She initially trained at Les Casernes, Curepipe, for 4 to 5 months and later transferred to Rose Hill training camp. On 15 August 1945, she embarked the Franconia ship to Egypt stopping at Mombasa for a brief transit. Once in Egypt, Tel El Kebir, she started working as a store woman, responsible for packaging mechanical spare parts destined
for the army. Her work was really nice starting at 8hrs and being over by 17hrs. During her free time she met officers and made requests to them to arrange a meeting with her dad, serving as driver in the Royal Army Force. It was only after 3 months, on a Sunday, that she met her dad. She cried with joy.
Claudine also recalled that she took courses in English and hairdressing, and twice a week she got permission to leave the camp . With friends they often moved to cinemas. On her journey party at Kassassin, she met a young charming man, Ronald Laridon; it was love at first sight. Seven months later, she married Ronald at the St. Genifer’s church at Tel El Kebir, on 29 July 1945. They both returned to Mauritius on board the Charleswin. On their return, Ronald was appointed as civilian clerk at Belle Village. Later he enrolled for the second time in the army . He was posted at Le Chaland.
The Life of a Cook- BALROOP GOBERDHAN
Born on 8 August 1920 at Alma Sugar Estate, Balroop Goberdhan is a well known person in the village of Verdun as Mamoo Roopan. He lost his father at a very tender age and his mother passed away when he was only 5 years old. Since then, he was brought up by his maternal grandfather and grandmother at Dagotiere. He attended primary school up to standard 2 and started working as labourer at Alma Sugar Estate at the age of 10 years old.At the age of 26, he got married to Etwareea Ramdoyal with whom he got 8 children, seven daughters and one son.
In 1947, he joined the British Army and served for two years in Egypt and Nairobi. He joined the 2054 company. He was enrolled at Le Chaland and trained for 3 weeks.
He then embarked to Cassassin and trained there for a period for 3 months. After that, the company moved to Mackinnon Road – Kenya. He worked in the officers’ mess for few months, later he was posted at the gate and finally he went to Mombassa where he worked as gardener and cook. He then, seven years later, i.e. on 19 January 1954, rejoined the British Army company 2064. He was posted in Elba Egypt and worked as cook in the army’s headquarter. He used to prepare meat curries as well as vegetable ones. On Christmas day, he still recalls that they were the invitees and foods were being served by the officers. He returned back to Mauritius on 21 February, 1956.
Back to Mauritius, he continued to work as labourer for the Mon Desert Alma Sugar Estate till his retirement age in 1980. After retirement he was called again by the Mon Desert Alma administration to work as gardener in the private property of the administrators. He worked till the age of 81. In July, 2015, he lost his wife aged 84 years and he is actually living with his son and daughter in law. He is fond of cooking and still
very self-disciplined.
The Life of a Telephone Switch Board Operator KANMAHOMUD ABDOOL AMID
Mr Kanmahomud Abdool Amid, born on 13 May 1927 at Montagne Blanche joined the Royal Signal Corps on 14 July 1943. Prior to that, he was working as a hairdresser in his native village. Ismael, his father, was employed in Fuel Sugar Estate while his mother, Bibi Afeeza, was a housewife. Abdool Amid was from a rather modest family. Life was difficult during these days, and his dad has to work hard to meet the daily expenses for himself and his 2 sisters. He attended the Montagne Blanche Government School and studied up to standard six.
At the very young age of 16, he was enlisted in the Royal Signal Corps. He was fascinated to wear the army uniform and also be part of the army. He was recruited at Phoenix training camp and did his training there. However, after the training sessions he had to work at Vacoas Military Camp as Telephone Switch Board Operator. He worked on a shift system. He recalled he had to join the office at Vacoas at six in the morning and finished at noon. After that, he went back to Phoenix Military camp, and at six in the evening he had to report again to Vacoas Military Camp till six in the morning the following day. He was then granted a day off. During his off days he usually returned home to be with his family. In year 1944, he had to report for duty in Madagascar. He recalled he travelled in a passenger cargo ship named as ‘UNAN”. Abdool Amid worked as Telephone Switch Board Operator in Madagascar for a period of 12 months, and then he returned back to Mauritius and worked again at Vacoas until his discharge from the army on 5 July, 1946.
In 1948, he got married to Bibi Asman and they are the proud parents of 5 daughters. After he left Army, Abdool Amid worked at Fuel Sugar Estate just like his father till he retired at the age of 60. After his retirement from Fuel Sugar Estate he worked as Taxi Driver for several years.
The Life of an Army Instructor FRANCE LUK-TONG
France Luk-Tong, born on 07 August 1927 in Port Louis, joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps on 9 March 1950. He was from a modest family. Mr Luk Tong, his father, was employed as a clerk in a commercial shop and his mother, Mrs Kwan Say Foo, a housewife. His father came from China, from Guangzhou region. Unfortunately, his dad passed away when he was only 3 years old. His mom married again. France attended the R.C.A school located at Rue La Paix and later completed his primary level education at Central Boys school. At the age of 13 years old, France started to work in his grand father’s poultry and later learned carpentry works from his step father.
At the age of 23, France joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps. He was enrolled at Bell Village recruitment centre and later transferred to Le Chaland training camp. He finally embarked for Egypt on Urania cargo passenger ship together with around 300 newly recruits. After 2 long weeks spent at sea he finally reached Egypt and disembarked at Port Said.
He was then posted at Kabrit military base.There, he was selected to join the ceremonial guard unit. He further followed a course on military knowledge (drills). After successful completion of his course, he was offered a job as Instructor at the same military base. There he had the responsibility to train new recruits. The training comprised of daily feet and arms drills and also training with weapons. The new recruits were mainly from Mauritius, Rodrigues and Seychelles. He was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 19 April 1952 after which he returned to Mauritius on holiday for 15 days. He returned back to Kabrit and continued the same work. Due to his seriousness in his work, he was promoted Sergeant Major and worked as Draft Conducting officer. This was a fine job and he had to accompany groups of soldiers who were discharged from the Army back to Mauritius and new recruits to Egypt. Later, he joined the Company 2042 of the Royal Engineer at TelEl Kebir and worked as supervisor. He was discharged from the Army on 04 February1955 and returned to Mauritius. He joined the Municipality of Port Louis on 14 Jan 1957 and worked as Carpenter and promoted to the rank of Foreman. He got married to Mireille Seetan Affouan in 1961. He continued to work at the Municipality of Port Louis and was later promoted to the grade Inspector of Works.
The Life of a Regimental Police SYED ABDOOL RASHID
Syed Abdool Rashid, born on 01 December 1934 in L’Esperance – Piton joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps on 13 January 1953. Ismael Syed, his father, was employed as an oxcart driver at Beau–Sejour Mill and his mother, Asha Bichelamootou was a housewife. His father came from China more precisely from the region of Guangzhou. Syed was from a rather modest family with 6 brothers and 2 sisters. Life was difficult and his dad had to work hard to look after his family. Syed attended the Poudre D’or Hamlet Government School and studied up to standard six.
At the age of 18 Syed joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps. He was enrolled at Vacoas recruitment centre and later transferred to Le Chaland training camp. He finally embarked for Egypt on Devonsheer Passenger Ship together with around 400 newly recruits transiting at Seychelles.
After nearly 10 long weeks spent at sea, he reached Egypt and disembarked at Port Said. He was then posted at Kabrit military base where he was trained for 3 months. After successful completion of training, he moved to Tobruk – HQ RASC and TROOPS. There he served as Regimental Police. He was posted mainly at the guard post and had the responsibility for sentry at the main gate controlling in access and egress. He also kept all records of soldiers exit, entry as well as entry of vehicles. He worked seven days a week from 7a.m. to 5p.m. Lunch was served from noon to 1p.m. Access to Arab Cooks were strictly controlled. On 3 November 1955, he was discharged from army. On his return to Mauritius he worked as lumberjack. In year 1959 he got married and is a proud father of 5 children.
The Life of an Armed Guard CYRIL SERGE MONOLOLL
Born on 30 August 1927 at Curepipe, Cyril Serge joined the Royal Pioneer Corps company 2058 on 7th October 1943. His father, Joseph, was a painter while his mom, Andrea, a housewife. Cyril attended Les Freres preprimary school up to standard IV. He left school to look after his younge sister. He also recalled that one day while he was going to buy charcoal at the nearby shop, he was spotted by some soldiers.
He was convinced to join the army, and he accompanied them to Vacoas Military Camp for medical check up and subsequently enrolled in the army. He trained at Belle Village Military Camp for a period of 2 months and then later transferred to Le Chaland camp. There he trained for a further period of 3 months before embarking the Charleswin to Port Said. From there, he moved to Cassassin training centre by train. At Cassassin, he was trained on how to use the different types of guns such as the Thompson, Grease gun, Carbine, etc
His company 2058, then moved to Elkerst Egypt. He worked as an armed guard and was posted at the Elkerst base guarding buildings with food stocks and also buildings with ammunitions. After that, his company moved to Tel – elkebir and he continued as an armed guard. From Tel-el-kebir, he went to Palestine and joined company 2069.
He worked at Beitnabala, Nusirat and Nasher. His company shifted to Italy for few months before returning back again to Port Said. He was discharged on 7 July 1950 and returned back to Mauritius. In Mauritius, he worked as painter at the Ministry of Works and retired as a Foreman after 30 years of service. He initially married Marie Elda Grochierenez. After the sad demise of his wife, he remarried to Soobiah. He is the proud father of two sons and one daughter.
