Ronald Lynsdale Pereira

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Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
In office
30 August 1981 – 26 February 1982
PresidentNeelam Sanjiva Reddy
Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi
Preceded byIdris Hasan Latif
Succeeded byK. V. Krishna Rao
9th Chief of the Naval Staff (India)
In office
1 March 1979 – 28 February 1982
PresidentNeelam Sanjiva Reddy
Prime MinisterMorarji Desai
Charan Singh
Indira Gandhi
Preceded byJal Cursetji
Succeeded byO. S. Dawson
Personal details
Born(1923-05-25)25 May 1923
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Award(s)

AVSM (25 May 1923 – 14 October 1993) was a flag officer in the Indian Navy. He served as the ninth Chief of Naval Staff
from 1979 to 1982. He is considered to be one of the architects of the modern Indian Navy.

During

Burma and Malaysia between 1943 and 1945 and thereafter, continued at sea with an amphibious task group based in Iraq, till 1946. After Independence in 1947 and completion of professional gunnery training at HMS Excellent at Portsmouth, he served for several years as a gunnery specialist, both afloat and ashore. He has commanded INS Kuthar (F146) and the Navy's flagship, INS Delhi. He served as deputy commandant of the National Defence Academy
and as the director of combat policy & tactics at Naval HQ.

In his 39-year illustrious naval career, Pereira held prestigious appointments of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), Flag Officer Commanding Southern Naval Command and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command. An able sportsman, he represented the Indian Navy in hockey in 1946 and in golf in the 1960s.

Early life and education

Pereira was born on 25 May 1923 to

Calcutta. He was the youngest of four children – two boys and two girls. His eldest brother Arthur was 14 years elder to him and his sisters Maisie and Inez were 12 and 6 years elder respectively.[1]

John Michael studied medicine in

MBE in 1937 and the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal in 1938.[2]

Pereira attended the St. Joseph's School, Darjeeling, popularly known as North Point, and from 1932 to 1937. Later, he attended the St. Michael's High School, Patna. His final inter science years were spent at the St. Edmund's College, Shillong up to 1942.[3] He grew up initially thinking of joining the army like his father and brother before him and filled out the temporary emergency commission form with the army as his first choice and the navy as his second choice. He appeared before the provisional board in Bihar, followed by the central interview board at Lucknow, where he requested a change to the navy as his first choice. He subsequently appeared before the director of reserves at Bombay for his final interview. Successful at the interview, he was commissioned in the Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RINVR) as a midshipman on 16 January 1943.[4]

Naval career

Early career

Pereira started his career with a six-month basic training course in Bombay. He received the King's commission as a

Japanese Navy in the Bay of Bengal.[6]

Pereira was appointed executive officer of ML 1125 in mid-1943 and a few months later took command of the vessel. In early 1944, he took command of ML 1073 and, later in the year, of ML 844.

Lonavla to screen the RINR and RINVR officers for a permanent commission in the RIN. Appearing before the board, he was successful and was granted a permanent commission. He was promoted to the acting rank of lieutenant in April and posted to the River-class frigate HMIS Shamsher in the Persian Gulf. After a short stint, he took command of ML 1261 at Basra, Iraq. After around a year in command, he was selected to attend the RIN Gunnery course at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth in May 1947.[8]

Post-Independence

Pereira returned to India in December 1948 and was appointed staff gunnery officer (West Coast), a staff appointment. He requested a sea appointment and in June 1949 was appointed gunnery officer of the

Cochin as an instructor.[3]
He was promoted to acting rank of lieutenant commander on 30 June 1952.[9] Later that year, he was selected to attend the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. After completing the staff course, he was appointed staff officer (gunnery) at Naval headquarters on 25 August 1953.[10] He was promoted to substantive lieutenant-commander on 25 November 1953.[11]

Pereira led the naval marching contingent during the Republic Day parade on 26 January 1954. In December 1954, he was appointed gunnery officer and flotilla gunnery officer of the Black Swan-class sloop INS Cauvery (U10) and in March 1955, of the Navy's first cruiser – the Leander-class cruiser INS Delhi (C74). Delhi was under the command of Captain Benjamin Abraham Samson.[12] In May 1956, he took over as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Gunnery School, Cochin. Later that year, he was promoted to the acting rank of commander.[13] Pereira was promoted to the substantive rank of commander on 30 June 1958,[14] and in October was appointed executive officer of INS Delhi, stationed at Bombay. He was to have a short stint as XO of Delhi, since he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was hospitalised in February 1959. He recovered in about ten months and was appointed OIC of DEMOB centre at Bombay. In May 1961, he was appointed XO of the shore establishment INS Angre. This also included the responsibility of the naval barracks at Bombay.[15]

On 18 April 1962, Pereira was appointed commander of the 14th frigate squadron and

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, although the navy had little role to play in the war. As director DWPT, he was responsible for implementing the major work-up system in the navy. He was promoted substantive captain on 30 June 1966.[18][3][19]

Pereira was appointed commanding officer of the erstwhile

V.V. Giri and the event was a success. For planning and organising the PFR, Pereira was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal on 26 January 1971.[20]

In January 1971, Pereira was promoted to the rank of

Major General SD Varma, noted that Pereira was "an outstanding officer with lively personality, who is devoted to his profession."[3]

Flag rank

Pereira was appointed the second

S H Sarma on 2 April 1973.[21][22] He flew his flag on the submarine tender INS Amba (A54) until mid-1974, when the Leopard-class frigate INS Brahmaputra (1957) became the flagship of the Eastern fleet after which his flag transferred to the frigate. Under him, the fleet exercised on the west coast as well as visited Sri Lanka for a flag-showing visit.[3]

In January 1975, Pereira was appointed flag officer commanding

Cochin.[23] After a year as FOC South, he was promoted to the rank of vice admiral on 1 March 1976 and appointed flag officer commanding-in-chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command.[24][25] On 26 January 1977, while he was the FOC-in-C West, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of the highest order.[26]

After a year in command of the Western Naval Command, Pereira moved to Naval HQ as the vice chief of the Naval Staff in March 1977.[27] In August 1978, he was appointed honorary ADC to the president of India.[28] During his stint as VCNS, the CNS Admiral Jal Cursetji noted that he considered him fit for promotion as CNS.[3]

Chief of Naval Staff

With Admiral Cursetji's tenure coming to an end in early 1979, the FOC-in-C West Vice Admiral RKS Ghandhi was tipped to be the next CNS. However, in November 1978, the Government of India announced that Pereira was appointed the next chief of the Naval Staff.[3] On 1 March 1979, he took over as the tenth chief of the Naval Staff in the rank of admiral.[29] He is considered one of the architects of the modern Indian Navy.[30]

Personal life

Pereira married Phyllis Beatrice Badal on 25 September 1952 at the

Rev Angelo Innocent Fernandes.[31] The couple did not have any children. As proud parents, the couple came to love every young cadet they met at the NDA, especially so for the mavericks who were sent to him for displeasure. Ronnie addressed them as 'Son', a tradition that came to be in all services.[6]

Later life, death and legacy

President Ram Nath Kovind releasing Adm Pereira's biography, with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba.

After superannuating from the Navy, the Pereiras moved to Bangalore. While he was the VCNS, he had purchased land and constructed a house in the outskirts of the city. The modest house was called 'At last' and was at Whitefield, Bangalore. In 1988, the couple decided to move to Wellington Cantonment in The Nilgiris by selling off their Bangalore home and shifted into their new home called 'Broadsides'.[3]

In the early 1990s, Pereira, a life-long smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer. He underwent treatment at the INHS Asvini in Bombay before moving back home. In 1993, the cancer relapsed and his condition deteriorated. Initially hospitalised at the Military Hospital in Wellington, he was moved to the Command Hospital in Bangalore. On 14 October 1993, he succumbed to the disease at the age of 70.[6]

On 16 October, Pereira was laid to rest at the Roman Catholic cemetery in Bangalore with full military honours. Wreaths were placed on behalf of the president and

Director General Indian Coast Guard, the AOC-in-C Training Command, the GOC Karnataka and Goa Sub Area and senior police and civil officers.[33] Apart from the multitude of admirals, generals and air marshals, junior service officers in uniform crowding his funeral service, there was also a large gathering of sailors and civilian officials who came to pay their obeisance.[6]

From 2014, the Navy Foundation conducts an annual lecture The Admiral R L Pereira Memorial lecture in his memory.

Vice Admiral Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee in Port Blair. The colony Pereira Enclave was named for Admiral Pereira.[36] On Navy Day 2017, the president of India Ram Nath Kovind released a biography of Admiral Pereira during the 'At Home' function at Navy House.[37]

Awards and decorations

Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Paschimi Star Raksha Medal
Sangram Medal Indian Independence Medal 25th Independence Anniversary Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal
20 Years Long Service Medal
9 Years Long Service Medal
1939–45 Star
Burma Star War Medal 1939–1945

Dates of rank

Insignia Rank Component Date of rank
Midshipman Royal Indian Navy 16 January 1943 (temporary)[38]
Sub-lieutenant Royal Indian Navy 25 May 1943[5]
Lieutenant Royal Indian Navy 20 April 1946 (acting)[3]
13 October 1946 (substantive)[3]
Lieutenant Indian Navy 26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)[39]
Lieutenant commander Indian Navy 30 June 1952 (acting)[9]
25 November 1953 (substantive)[11]
Commander Indian Navy 1956 (acting)[40]
30 June 1958 (substantive)[14]
Captain Indian Navy 16 December 1964 (acting)[3]
30 June 1966[18]
Commodore Indian Navy 9 January 1971[3]
Rear admiral Indian Navy 2 April 1973[21]
Vice admiral
 Indian Navy 1 March 1976[24][25]
Admiral Indian Navy 1 March 1979[29]

References

  1. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 2.
  2. ^ Thomas 2019, pp. 3–9.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Thomas 2019.
  4. ^ Thomas 2019, pp. 42–46.
  5. ^ a b "The Royal Indian Navy". The Navy List: June 1944. HM Government, UK. 1944. p. 1982.
  6. ^ a b c d "Remembering Ronnie". 11 July 2014.
  7. ^ "(1126) – Navy lists > Quarterly > 1945 > July > Volume 3 – British Military lists – National Library of Scotland". digital.nls.uk. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  8. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 59.
  9. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 19 July 1952. p. 155.
  10. ^ Thomas 2019, pp. 75–76.
  11. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 12 December 1953. p. 272.
  12. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 77.
  13. ^ Abidi & Sharma 2007, p. 117.
  14. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 February 1960. p. 52.
  15. ^ Thomas 2019, pp. 82–84.
  16. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 107.
  17. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 120.
  18. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 3 September 1966. p. 525.
  19. ^ "NAVAL PROMOTIONS" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 30 June 1966.
  20. ^ "GALLANTRY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 25 January 1971.
  21. ^ a b "Gazette of India" (PDF). egazette.nic.in.
  22. ^ "ADMIRAL KAMATH TO BE VICE CHIEF" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 21 March 1973.
  23. ^ "ADMIRAL PEREIRA TO TAKE OVER SOUTHERN NAVAL AREA" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 8 January 1975.
  24. ^ a b "NEW SENIOR NAVAL APPOINTMENTS" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 28 February 1976.
  25. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 22 May 1976. p. 695.
  26. ^ "GALLANTRY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 25 January 1977.
  27. ^ "ADMIRAL PEREIRA TAKES OVER AS THE VICE CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 5 April 1977.
  28. ^ "VICE ADMIRAL PEREIRA APPOINTED HONORARY ADC TO THE PRESIDENT" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 6 August 1978.
  29. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch)". The Gazette of India. 7 April 1979. p. 300.
  30. ^ "Admiral Ronald Lynsdale Pereira – Bharat Rakshak :: Indian Navy".
  31. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 75.
  32. ^ "ADMIRAL PEREIRA TO BE LAID TO REST TOMORROW" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 15 October 1993.
  33. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 317.
  34. ^ "Admiral RL Pereira memorial lecture | Indian Navy". indiannavy.nic.in.
  35. ^ "2nd 'Admiral RL Pereira Memorial lecture' held | Indian Navy". indiannavy.nic.in.
  36. ^ @CaptDKS (23 December 2015). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2023 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ "Service Chiefs pay homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate – Navy Day 2017 | Indian Navy". indiannavy.nic.in.
  38. ^ Thomas 2019, p. 46.
  39. ^ "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India – Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 August 2017.
  40. ^ Thomas 2019, pp. 79–80.

Bibliography

Military offices
Preceded by
C. Singh
Commanding Officer INS Delhi

1967–1968 		Succeeded by
C. V. P. Sarthy
Preceded by
S H Sarma
 Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet
1973–1975 		Succeeded by
Flag Officer Commanding Southern Naval Area
1975–1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command

1976–1977 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
1977–1979 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Naval Staff
1979–1982 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee

1981–1982 		Succeeded by
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