By Frederick Halley
ONE of the most decorated military officers in Guyana, Colonel Cecil “Pluto” Martindale was the toast of the Guyana Ex-Soldiers of Canada (GESAC) fraternity at an extravagant and entertaining 90th birth anniversary celebration held at the Elite Banquet Hall in Toronto on Friday night.Martindale, who served with distinction in both the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM), turned 90 last Tuesday and was fittingly honoured for his sterling contributions to both organisations over the years.
Glowing tributes were paid to Martindale, who attended the function with wife Bernice, children, grandchildren and other close relatives.
Tributes were also received from Guyana’s President, Brigadier David Granger, who disclosed that he had the honour of serving under Colonel Martindale when he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion in June 1967.
The Guyanese President also recalled working with Martindale when the latter was the Planning Officer responsible for designing the architecture of the new force.
According to Brigadier Granger, Colonel Martindale “contributed immensely to the development of the Guyana Defence Force. I congratulate him heartily on the occasion of his 90th birthday”.
President Granger also pointed out that the Colonel Cecil Martindale Command and Staff School “stands as an enduring testimony of the high esteem in which Colonel Cecil Edgar Martindale was held during his military service”.
Greetings were also received from Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose message read: “It is a great pleasure to send you best wishes and warmest congratulations on the occasion of your ninetieth birthday”; while Ontario Premiere Kathleen Wynne said she was “pleased to add my voice to this celebration, and offer my warmest wishes for much continued happiness and fulfilment…”
Prime Minister Trudeau also sent a Certificate of Appreciation, which was presented to Martindale by GESAC Secretary Ingrid King.
CONSUMMATE PATRIOT
Guyana’s current Brigadier-General, Mark Phillips, also extended best wishes to Martindale, pointing out that “from your humble beginnings with the British Guiana Volunteer Force in 1948, to your retirement first in 1981, you demonstrated the true grit and dedication of a consummate patriot.”
Retired Colonel Carl Morgan, who also resides in Toronto and was in attendance at the occasion, said he was grateful for the solid base Colonel Martindale “left for me to build on when I took over the Guyana People’s Militia from him in 1982. While he was considered a martinet by many, he was a man of sharp wit and he was renowned for always finding a pun for every situation.”
President of GESAC, Gordon Winter, who also chaired the function, quipped that Martindale was truly “the epitome of an officer and a gentleman. Your quick wit and sense of recall are legendary. Since your arrival in Canada, you have been a valuable member of our association. Your attention to detail, experience, wisdom; (your) fatherly figure and much-needed advice have made us a much better association.”
Messages were also received from Major General (retired) Joseph Singh, Colonel (retired) Desmond Roberts, the XGDF Association of New York, GDF Veterans Association of Los Angeles, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) George Gomes, and the Senior Guyanese Friendship Association, of which Martindale is an executive member.
REGRETS
In his response, Martindale alluded to the fact that life was good, but he said he had two main regrets: not having a tertiary education, and not learning music. According to him, the secret of longevity is “eat lots of good food and sleep in your own bed more often,” a comment that evoked much laughter from the appreciative audience.
An avid sports enthusiast, Colonel Martindale was also deeply interested in band music, and promoted the playing of steel band music in the GDF, as well as early development of hockey. He also served as President of: the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC); and Vice President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU). He was first the Secretary, and later became President of the Boys Brigade Council of Guyana.
Colonel Martindale’s military career started in 1948, when he enlisted in the ranks of the British Guiana Volunteer Force (BGVF). In August 1951, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant, and was promoted to Lieutenant a year later; after which he became a Captain in November 1955, a Major in February 1961, Lieutenant Colonel in May 1967, and Colonel in May 1976.
Prior to embarking on his outstanding military career, Colonel Martindale taught for a few years before joining the Public Service in 1946, serving in the Customs & Excise Department as a Customs Officer.
During his military service, he received six awards – Efficiency Decoration 1962; Independence Medal 1966; Border Defence Medal 1967; Military Service Medal 1972; Military Service Star 1981 and Military Efficiency Medal 1984.
