AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 4 – War Diary CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 52 of 237 anymore, the air support continued unabated even as I processed our demands alone. Ceasefire ushered a pall of gloom to the Brigade instead of joy. It was indeed a testimony to Laurie's spirit that his death could so affect us. The day after ceasefire we assembled in our makeshift Officers' Mess in the field. There was sadness in the air. Laurie had been awarded a posthumous Vir Chakra but how would this help his young widow Isabelle, I thought? I missed him intensely. Brig Thumby, who was equally fond of him, was silent and withdrawn; the other staff officer stood by quietly. Later, we raised a silent toast to Laurie, trying to console ourselves with the divine grace, "Thy will be done". Only, it did not seem consolation enough." Flt Lt Pereira was buried in the RA (Royal Artillery) Cemetery, Garha Road, Jalandhar Cantt with full military honours on 15th Dec 1971. Pereira was buried at the Jalandhar Cemetery with full military honours. His grave was covered with a large marble slab with the epitaph: LOVE AND TRIBUTE TO THE EVER TREASURED MEMORY OF LAWRENCE FREDRIC PEREIRA, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT, INDIAN AIR FORCE. BELOVED HUSBAND OF ISABELLE AND FATHER OF NICOLE. BORN 10TH JUNE 1945, DIED IN ACTION ON THE 14TH DEC 1971 IN THE INDO-PAKISTAN WAR. THE GOLDEN GATES STOOD WIDE OPEN ON THAT SAD DREARY INAUSPICIOUS DAY. SWIFTLY AND SILENTLY WITH FAREWELLS LEFT UNSPOKEN SOFTLY AND PEACEFULLY YOU SUDDENLY SLIPPED AWAY. HIS LOVING WIFE AND DARLING DAUGHTER Laurie was awarded the Vir Chakra for displaying gallantry, determination and devotion to duty of a high calibre throughout. Laurie Pereira happens to be the only IAF Officer killed in the line of duty as an FAC and the only FAC to be awarded the Vir Chakra. Today, the location of LF Pereira has been lost due to neglect. The diocese of Jullunder (St Mary's Church) stopped using the RA Cemetery for Catholic burials, and