The Life of an Armed Guard SANDRAGASSEN ANTONY
Sandragassen Antony, born on 10 February 1929, at Port Mathurin – Rodrigues, joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps on 8 July 1946. He was from a modest family. Mr Manuel Arpadon Antony, his father, was a veteran who attended the FirstWorld War and posted in Iraq – Mesopotamia and his mother, Mrs Veeraye Savoo Antony, was a housewife. Sandragassen attended the Port Mathurin Government School and later completed his primary level education at La Ferme Government School.
At the age of 18, Sandragassen joined the Mauritius Pioneer Corps. He trained for around 2 months at Mon Choisy Military Camp – company 2044, where he learned how to handle a rifle and also to shoot . He
finally left Mauritius on Charleswin Cargo Passenger Ship for Egypt together with around 350 newly recruits. After 14 long days spent at sea, he finally reached Egypt and disembarked at Port Said. He was then posted at Cassassin Military Base where he was trained to be an armed guard. The training started early morning and it was rather tough. It comprised of morning drill, physical training, shooting and crawling exercise with full kit bag on sand.
Sandragassen worked as armed guard in different regions ofPalestine (Beitnabala, Nusirat and Nesher). Early in the morning around 5 a.m., he got ready, and breakfast was served around 6 a.m. Then his troops had to be ready for daily parade. After the morning parade, the daily postings were organised. The work was on a shift period for 12 hours. Before the end of his military term, his company moved to Tobruk on the ship, H.M.S Georgic, where he where he worked with other soldiers to guard the German Prisoners’ Camp. Finally he left Tobruk on HMS Georgic to Mauritius and transisted one week at Le Chaland Military Camp. He returned to Rodigues on the HMS Brissevin. He was discharged from Military on 1 January 1949 and he, later, joined the Mauritius Police Force on 1 July 1950. In 1952, he was transferred to Rodrigues on a tour duty. He got married to Marie Helene Remy and is now a proud father of 10 children. He retired at the age of 56.
The Life of a Waiter BASILE BEGUE
Basile Begue was born on 15 September 1929, from a very modest family: his father, Mr. Archas, a fisherman and his mother, Mrs Leona Francois, a housewife in Acassia. They had to struggle hard to sustain a family comprising of eight children (6 boys and 2 girls). Basile attended the Port Mathurin Government School. After school days, he helped his dad in fishing activities and at the age of 18, he enrolled in the army at Port Mathurin.
He left Rodrigues on 10 December, 1949, and stayed in Mauritius, Le Chaland Training Military Camp for 3 weeks. Basile embarked on a passenger cargo ship on 14 January 1950 for Egypt. After 18 days spent in sea, he reached Egypt. He was enrolled in company 2061 and based in Cabrit where he underwent a training for 3 months. After that, the company moved to Tel-el-kebir and he was posted in the Officer’s Mess where he worked as waiter. He started early in the morning and by 7a.m. he was ready in the officer’s mess waiting along with other colleagues to serve for breakfast. Lunch was served between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. whilst dinner between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m
After Tel-el-kebir, he worked with his company in Cassassin, for nearly a period of 1 year and then he shifted to Abu Sultan and Mascar. During his free time he trained along with other colleagues for swimming competitions as well as water polo competitions. He won several medals and trophies.
On 17 December 1952, he was discharged from the army and returned to Rodrigues for few months. Soon after, he was offered a job as fisherman in Saint Brandon. He worked there for 6 months and on his return, in 1954, he got married to Mierta. He is the proud father of 4 children (2 sons and 2 daughters).
The Life of a Ration Storeman BERNADIN PROSPER
Bernandin Prosper was born on 3 September 1931 in Saint Gabriel – Rodrigues. His father, Julien a labourer and his mother, Etiennemi a housewife, founded a family of eleven children; seven girls and four boys. Bernandin attended Latanier Sainte Famille RCA School up to standard VI. After schooling he helped his dad in farming and fishing activities. Life in those days was difficult and majority of people were jobless; fishing and farming were means to learn a living.
At the age of 19, Bernandin joined the Army. He was informed by other friends that the British Army was recruiting. Snce he was jobless and curious to know about other parts of the world, he enrolled himself in army on 25 March 1950. On 26 March he left Port Mathurin and reached Mauritius on 28 March. He stayed few days in Le Chaland Military Camp before embarking HMS Irenia cargo passenger ship for Egypt. After 14 long days at sea, he finally reached Egypt and stopped at Port Said. He then moved to cabrit with his company 2057 and trained for 2 months. Unfortunately he was sick and admitted to FA Eid BMH Hospital . After discharged from hospital he joined his company. Unfortunately he felt sick again and admitted to the same hospital. On his recovery, he learned that his company had already moved to another station. He then got a job in the military hospital as attendant. He worked for 9 months after which he joined another company, the 2026. He then moved to Fanarah with his new company and worked as ration storeman together with his colleague Jude Beram; Corporal.
He started his work as from 8 a.m. and same would be over only when the last lorry will disembarked all materials, and when delivery of all ration materials (rice, flour, biscuits, oil, soap, detergents and medicinal products) would have been done to the different units. Bernadin liked his job and he felt secured in his store made up of concrete, and low temperature was not an issue. At the end of his contract, he moved to Cyprus to spend some holidays and he was dicharged from service in early March 1953. In 1954, he went to St. Brandon and worked as Fisherman until 1959. On his return to Rodrigues, he continued the same job. He was offered a job in the Agriculture Division on 9 May, 1964, and he got married to Anne Marie on 7 September, 1964. He has 9 children (7 boys and 2 girls). He retired from service in 1991.
The Life of a Waiter MICHELIN RAFFAUT
Michelin Raffaut, born on 1st July 1933 in Port Mathurin – Rodrigues joined the Pioneer Corps on 9 December 1950. He was from a modest family; Mr Florence, his father, was a fisherman and his mother, Mrs Antonia, was a housewife. They were 6 brothers and 4 sisters. Michelin attended the Port Mathurin Government School. After school days he helped his Dad in daily activities, and at the age of 17 plus he enrolled in the army at Port Mathurin.
He left Rodrigues, on 9 December 1950 and stayed in Mauritius, Le Chaland Training Military Camp for 3 weeks. Michelin embarked on a passenger cargo ship on 2.1.1950 for Egypt. On his way towards Egypt, he crossed a cyclone but fortunately after 17 long days spent in sea, he reached his destination sound and safe.
He was enrolled in company 2061 and based in Cabrit where he underwent a training for 3 months. After that, the company moved to Tel-el-kebir and he was posted in the Officer’s Mess where he worked as waiter. He liked his job as he regularly met his friends. He started his job early in the morning, and by 7a.m. he was ready in the officer’s mess waiting along with other colleague to serve for breakfast. Lunch was served between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. whilst dinner between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. After Tel-el-kebir, he worked in Cassassin for nearly a period of 1 year and then he shifted to Abu Sultan and Mascar. During his free time he trained along with other colleagues for swimming competition as well as water polo competition. He won several medals and trophies. Unfortunately, he didn’t find it important at his young age to conserve his medals. He distributed them among colleagues and its only good memories of such activities have remained! In 1954, he was discharged from the army and returned to Rodrigues. He stayed in Rodrigues for around 1 month and decided to enrol again in the army. He was offered a further contract of 2 years and he served in the same position. He finally returned back to Rodrigues for good in 1956.
At the age of 23 he got married. To earn a living, he worked as fisherman and later he was offered a job in Forestry Department . He then shifted to the water irrigation authority where he worked as watchman. He retired at the age of 59. Michelin still remembers his army days and he is ever ready to serve again in the British Army at the age of 86 and join again the water polo team.
The Life of a Cook LUC BOTTE
Luc Botte, born on 26 July 1925 is from a poor family; his father Mr. Joseph, a farmer and his mother, Mrs Emilie Augustin, a housewife, lived in Reposoir – Rodrigues. They had to work hard to sustain a family comprising of eight children (6 boys and 2 girls). Luc didn’t attend a primary school as he had to help his Dad in his daily farming activities and rearing of animals. At the age of 21, he had no option but to join the army as it was difficult to find any job on the island. He left Rodrigues on 16 May 1946 and stayed in Mauritius, Le Chaland.
Training Military Camp, for 3 weeks. Luc embarked on a passenger cargo ship after few weeks spent in Mauritius. After 18 days spent at sea, he reached Egypt. He was enrolled in company 2039 and based in Cabrit where he underwent a training for 3 months. After that, the company moved to Tel-el-kebir and he was posted in the Officer’s Mess where he worked as armed guard. He started early in the morning and by 7 a.m. he was ready along with his friends to start sentry works. After Tel-el-kebir, he worked with his company to Cassassin for nearly a period of 1 year, and then he shifted to Abu Sultan and Mascar.
He was discharged from the company 2039 on 17 July 1949. Once in Mauritius he worked as labourer. The temptation to re-join the army was high as life in Rodrigues was not that easy. He finally rejoined the Army and he enrolled for the second time on 21 November 1951. He joined the company 2037 as Cook. He was very enthusiastic about his new job and he worked with six other mates.
He started his work as from 5a.m and same ended at around 5.30 p.m. He used to prepare curry, rice, fish and chicken. He enjoyed a good relation with all his colleagues and seniors. He was earning around 7 shillings per week.
