By Frederick Halley
ONE of the most decorated military officers in Guyana, Colonel Cecil Edgar “Pluto” Martindale died Saturday morning at the Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Canada. The 93-year-old Martindale, who celebrated his birthday on February 2 last, had been ailing for the past few weeks.
An active member of the Guyana Ex-Soldiers of Canada (GESAC) until the time of his demise, Martindale attended the association’s annual dinner and dance, held on December 2 last where he delivered prayers.
GESAC president Gordon Winter, in an invited comment, described Martindale as “the epitome of an officer and a giant of a man who will be sorely missed. His attention to detail, experience, wisdom; [your] fatherly figure and much-needed advice have made us a much better association.”
In February 2016, Martindale was the toast of GESAC’s fraternity at an extravagant and entertaining 90th birth anniversary celebration held at the Elite Banquet Hall in Toronto.
Martindale, who served with distinction in both the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM), was fittingly honoured for his sterling contributions to both organisations over the years.
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 Granger, Colonel Martindale “contributed immensely to the development of the Guyana Defence Force.” 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.”
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also sent a certificate of appreciation, which was presented to Martindale by GESAC Secretary, Ingrid King.
An avid sports enthusiast, Colonel Martindale was also deeply interested in band music and promoted the playing of steelband music in the GDF, as well as the 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 as 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: the Efficiency Decoration, 1962; the Independence Medal, 1966; the Border Defence Medal, 1967; the Military Service Medal, 1972; Military Service Star, 1981; and the Military Efficiency Medal, 1984.
Martindale is survived by his wife Bernice, children and grandchildren.
