AFVOA Newletters of Year 2002

Page 41 of 84 professional soldier, a thinking general who displayed strategic and tactical understanding with good organising ability. He was very supportive, even when issues were made subjective by ministers and politicians. I was always assured of his strong support, help and guidance. A loveable gentleman, who made a very good friend. A man who went out of his way to help others. He always took up the cause of the needy and down trodden. A popular General who was loved by one and all. A striking personality who cannot be easily forgotten. All ranks and other civilians, who came in contact, will miss him. The bright and satisfying aspect of General Gill’s life was that he lived like a general, big hearted, noble in spirit, generous in command, popular with his juniors and seniors alike. In his domestic life he had the satisfaction of creating warmth, love and togetherness in his family. He also carried out his responsibilities with honour, dignity concern and care, for his wife and children. We miss his physical presence, but he lives with us in fond memory. As far as my family, my wife Jaya and myself are concerned we shall always remember his fond friendship that existed. Recollections of Lt Gen IS Gill by Brig VA Subramanyam, Sigs I first came into contact with the late Lt Gen IS Gill during the later half of 1973, when he took over command of 4 Corps. I had reported to the Corps Signal Regiment, a few months earlier. Nevertheless, due to normal commitments in Headquarters, I was initially attached as a staff officer in the CSO’s Branch. And as such, I used to attend the Corps Commander’s periodic conferences to either assist or represent the Signals. Two incidents concerning Gen Gill will always stand out in my memory. I would like to share the same with you as my tribute to the General. As soon as Gen Gill took over as Corps Commander, he wanted to do away with certain trappings, which go with the rank/appointment. One of this was, to reduce the number of vehicles in his convoy when he visited units within the formation. One day, he was off to 5 Division sector. At that time the road meandered through Misamari – Foot Hills – Tenga. He decided to have only his staff car and a skeleton CMP staff for protection. As luck would have it, the staff car developed a problem en route, which the driver was not able to set right. Undeterred, Gen Gill asked the driver to go along with the CMP vehicle and get assistance from the nearby workshop/unit. Meanwhile he took out a stool from the car and sat down and commenced reading a book. Within ten minutes after the departure of the driver, an EME vehicle (Nissan 1 tonne) passed by. The driver of that vehicle was taken aback when he sighted the Corps Commander’s vehicle (thanks to the star plate and flag fluttering over the bonnet of the car). Gen Gill signaled the vehicle to stop, and to the surprise of the driver requested him to allow him (the General) to sit in the 1 tonner and driven to the nearest unit so that he could get in touch with the Corps staff and continue on his journey without further delay. No tempers frayed, no shirts lost, but tremendous respect gained!! The second incident occurred towards the middle of December 1973. Gen Gill was also Colonel of the Parachute Regiment. One of the jawans of the Regiment had been tried for a civil offence and had been convicted to death. The execution was slated for the 2/3 of January 1974. All avenues of appeals having failed, as a last ditch effort; a petition was prepared for obtaining the Presidential pardon. As OC of the Communication Company, Gen Gill would ask me to connect him to the Home Secretary at Delhi. Having spoken to him, papers were prepared, and a Signals cipher JCO detailed to carry the papers to the Home Secretary, who was requested to do the needful. It was almost Christmas by the time all this