R Sritharan

Remembering a fun classmate and jewel of a friend

R. SRI THARAN

We mourn the loss of a dear person, R. Sri Tharan, fondly called Kaiam or KKB by his friends. Let us celebrate his life, and remember him for his attributes, his way of life and, more important, his loyalty to all those who knew him.

I am here to represent his Class of ’56 and his friends at Royal College. I first met Kaiam 52 years ago.He was quick-witted, always smiling, and ever-ready for a prank. He was a teacher’s nightmare! Cricket was his passion, and he was a sound batsman – on and off the field.Recalling his pranks, a mutual friend, Asoka, told me how Kaiam would stop and drink the milk from the bottles left by the milkman at the doorsteps of his neighbours, when he went on his 5 a.m. jogs with Asoka.

He believed in enjoying and living life to the full, every moment of his life. At the Royal Thomian match, Kaiam was always in peak form, calling the shots.

Under his happy-go-lucky exterior, there was a pearl, or a deity, hidden within him, and this precious something gave light to those immersed in darkness. Kaiam always gave a helping hand to strangers and the needy.

He was a bastion of racial tolerance, and one of the few mortals who could pass a modern morality test.His heart was always with Royal College. In my last chat with him two days before he left us, he asked how he could continue to live here, when our good friends were so many thousands of miles away.

On behalf of the Class of ’56 and all our friends in Sri Lanka, Australia, Britain, Canada, the US and other parts of the world, I bid farewell to our dear friend.

Anantham Harin, New York

Captain Arthur E A Bartholomew

Captain Arthur E.A. Bartholomew

An Officer and a Gentleman

Arthur Bartholomew passed away of heart failure on Monday November 17, 2008, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 79.

Arthur was an alumnus of Royal College, Colombo, where he spent his formative years. Not only was he an excellent student but was also an outstanding rugger player representing the college in the inter school matches in the Bradby Shield tournament and played for the Havelocks Sports Club. He was also an excellent cadet rose to the rank of RSM in the Cadet Corp.He applied to join the newly formed Ceylon Army and was selected as an Office Cadet to attend The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the UK for training. He graduated from there and was commissioned into the Sri Lanka Artillery. It was during this phase of his life that he met Anne in London. However before returning to his Regiment in Sri Lanka he went for training to the School of Artillery in Larkhill, UK. On completion of that training he returned to Sri Lanka and joined his Regiment which at that time was stationed in picturesque Trincomalee bordering the Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka.Anne flew out to Sri Lanka where they got married and I had the honour of being his best man. Their two sons, Ean and Stuart and daughter, Tessa, were born in Ceylon.At different times he was assigned to different duties that required him to serve in different parts of the island including the army training centre in the hills of Diyatalawa, where he trained many officers who subsequently became senior officers in the present Army.One such assignment took him to the jungles of Amparai which to him was the quintessence of his army career. In 1959, he decided to say goodbye to the land that he loved and immigrated to the USA with his family. The family settled in Florida where daughter Tara was born on Arthur’s birthday. Arthur was an executive in the citrus industry in both Florida and California. He loved travel, photography and most of all his grandkids.It was with great sadness that we heard the news of Arthur’s demise on 17th November. He had many friends all over the world who have expressed their sorrow.Extracts from the Guest Book - Arthur was my friend from prep school days, through Royal, Sandhurst and the Regiment. Though our ways parted to different parts of the globe, we kept in touch. I have fond memories of him. He was an Officer and a Gentleman. My sympathies extended to his family. May he rest in peace!
Capt. Tony Anghie

I knew Arthur since my Trinco days in the late 1950’s! What a glorious time we had at Floris Court where we lived in two opposite flats! We could not have had better neigbours! He was a gentleman of pleasant personality, a congenial friend and a respected superior to those who worked with him! May he rest in Peace! Brigadier George Fernando Captain Arthur-We loved you in life and even more in death We will always cherish and remember your heart warming conversations that seemed to ignite us with fire. “Once a Gunner always a Gunner”. All who knew you and served with you in the Sri Lanka Artillery will surely miss you. Till we meet again in the shores of Heaven our fond remembrances.
Captain Callistus and Megal Corera, Michigan, USA.

Arthur is preceded in death by his Dear Wife Anne and their Daughter Tessa. Arthur is survived by his two sons, Ean and Stuart; his daughter Tara ; his brother and sister-in-law Vernon and Katie (Australia).A memorial service was held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church Winter Haven on Monday November 24, 2008. Arthur’s ashes were interred with those of his late wife Anne and daughter Tessa in Tallahassee. Peace be with him!
Capt. Don Weerasinghe (Retd).