Saligao Serenade

by Fr Nascimento Mascarenhas

My first encounter with Brigadier George Francis de Souza was at the Military Headquarters at Altinho in Panjim. This was in the early seventies, when I was an assistant priest at the Panjim Church. George drove us to Saligao and then to Souza Lobo’s at Calangute for xit and xungttanchi koddi, a delicacy that he loved much. It brought sweet memories of his younger days in Goa. We shared much in common, and his concern for Goa and Saligao was noteworthy. He remembered the time in Saligao when they had fielded a hockey team from the village, to play against a neighbouring team at the Saligao hill ground.

George Francis de Souza was one of nine children born to Ignatius Charles de Souza and Philomena Fernandes e de Souza, both from Mudd ‘davaddi in Saligao. Born on 3 December 1911, on St. Francis Xavier’s feast day, his parents placed him under the protection of Goencho Saib. As money was in short supply then, he learned the hard way to take life as it came, during his childhood days. He studied at the well-known St. Francis de Sales High School at Nagpur. It is in Nagpur that the family eventually settled.

He completed the Senior Cambridge Board Exam by topping the rankings in the state of Madhya Pradesh and was awarded the Joseph Vaz (ICS) Prize for general proficiency. He later joined the Science College at Nagpur. He excelled there in academics as well as in sports, and captained the college hockey team.

George felt strongly within himself the call of the army and soon joined the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun. He was commissioned in 1937, joining the First Battalion of the Rajput Regiment. The British were still in power in India and ran the Academy with brisk military style. At the Indian Military Academy he showed his outstanding skill in boxing and captained the boxing team, winning laurels. Later he attended the Defence Staff College at Quetta, from which he graduated. He walked away with the prestigious Sword of Honour given to the best all-round cadet.

During World War II, he served as a Grade II staff officer at the Allied Land Forces Headquarters, South East Asia Command, and was posted to Ceylon. He was selected as the first Indian to command the decorated Madras Regimental Centre at Wellington during 1948-49. Later he was transferred to Army Ordnance Corp and sent to command the depot of Jabalpur. During his tenure a major fire broke out in the ammunition depot, threatening to destroy the entire city. With rare courage and bravery George led the fire fighters into the inferno and managed to get the situation under control. For his exemplary courage and leadership he was awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry by the President of India at a special ceremony of investiture. The clipping of the investiture was shown in cinema houses all over the country-I was privileged to see it at Cine National in Panjim.

Just before his retirement he was posted to Bombay and held a deputation post as chairman of administration, Canteen Stores Department (CSD), from 1960 to 1965. CSD was in a bit of a mess at that time. George completely reorganised it and brought it out of the red. During his tenure at the CSD, the Chinese aggression took place, catching the Indian troops unawares and badly in need of even basic necessities. George persuaded all suppliers to the CSD to donate supplies in bulk and he personally supervised the packing of parcels for the Indian soldiers stationed at the front. Needless to say, he felt the trauma of our brave soldiers deeply, and this mammoth exercise was carried out successfully.

Brigadier George de Souza was a legend in the army during his lifetime, and much respected in memory. Reaching retirement age, he moved into civilian life, using his outstanding qualities to help the poor and the downtrodden in Bangalore where he settled with his family. He worked with the Khoday group for a number of years and had a wonderful relationship with the family.

Brigadier George de Souza expired on 4 February 2003 in Bangalore. On his death, his family paid him a special “Tribute” in which they wrote: “Brigadier George’s family life has been most unmilitary. He was a very caring husband, father, grandfather, citizen and friend. His motto: ‘Freely Freely Give’-be it his time, his caring ways or money. He lived to the ripe age of 92 years when the big C claimed him. Having lived so bravely he beat the big C with a bigger one-COURAGE. He left this life with superb dignity, leaving us loved ones to grieve just as he would us to, with courage and serene faith in the love that endures all-Christ’s love for us.”