AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 154 of 237 25 A MADRAS SAPPER REMEMBERED Dr Rekha Rajesh Genre: Remembrance of July 2020, marks the completion of his centenary. He would have been a hundred and one years old today. It is a time to remember and celebrate a Madras Sapper, a soldier, a leader, a man of courage, wisdom, compassion, a beloved husband and a dearly loved father. He was our hero. Brigadier Mendu Ayyanna Nayudu was born on the 22nd July 1919 at Rajahmundry, the eldest of eleven children, the son of Padmanabhayya Nayudu and his wife Annapoornamma. Having completed his schooling and intermediate from Andhra University he qualified as a mechanical engineer at the Guindy Engineering College in Madras in 1941. He was elected the President of the first college students’ union, a tradition that would continue with his son who was Vice President at Guindy, while studying mechanical engineering too. He was a prominent figure in the University Training Corps, and on the sports field and an excellent orator. He used his university years to train for life and citizenship. His most important qualities however, quoting the Principal, Mr Rudra were “his integrity and independent thinking and having the courage of his convictions” He would demonstrate these qualities throughout his career and in later years. Pappa was commissioned in the Indian Army to serve both in pre- Independence India, in Queen Victoria’s Own Madras Sappers and Miners and following Independence in the renamed Queen Victoria’s Own Madras Engineers Group Royal Indian Engineers, affectionately known as the Thambis. Their history dates back to 1759-80 when they fought in Mesopotamia as the Corps of Madras Pioneers. He trained at the OTS Mhow and transferred to the engineering training school where he obtained a further qualification in Civil Engineering. He was commissioned in December 1941 [emergency] with his regular commission in March 1946. The 22year old 2 Lt Ayyanna Nayudu was about to enter the tidal wave that had engulfed the world, World War II. In February 1945 he joined the Burma Campaign at HQ 14th Army. It was during this active service that he was Mentioned in Despatches (M-in-D), in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the face of the enemy. 22