Lt Col Eric Simeon's hundredth birthday - October 29, 2018
Today is my father's birth centenary, he was born in Allahabad, the second child of his parents, J.J. Simeon and Florence Addy on October 29, 1918; just before the end of the First World War. He had two sisters, Sheila and Roma. He studied at St Joseph's school, where he made some of his oldest friends: Nariman Gazder and Manilal Dave. (He used to say that they were friends from the time their legs didn't touch the floor when they sat at the desks in their classrooms). Among his close friends from Government College Allahabad were N.B Menon, Asphandiar Moddie, Jagat S. Mehta and 'Rajju' Haksar. I mention them because I know their children will remember my father and loved him. One of his friends, Sultan Ali, went away to Pakistan in 1947.
Eric Joseph Simeon joined the Indian Army in the Intelligence Corps in Bombay in December 1943. It was at the Censor Station that he met my mother Georgina Pinto-Lobo, and her elder sister Leonildis, both of whom worked as translators at the Station. They were married in 1945. In 1946 he was stationed at Panagarh, Bengal and was one of three Indian officers present in Fort William during the 'Great' Calcutta Killing of August, 1946. (I shall always remember his descriptions of these horrific events, some of which I have put down in my novel). He was transferred to the Education Corps in 1945, and was House Master at the KGRIM Belgaum for one year; and then at RIMC Dehra Dun for two years. During the time in Dehra Dun, he and my mother were able to see my maternal uncle Ivo Lobo pass out from the IMA as Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.
In February 1950 he was transferred to the Corps of Signals; and did two years service in a regiment, part of it in Army ops on the border in 1951. (I was born in 1950). He also served in Ambala and at the School of Signals in Mhow. In 1955 he was deputed as Communications Officer in Army HQ in Delhi, where he worked under Gen Iyappa. Among his close friends in the Army were 'Bir' Paintal; 'Sandy' Sundaram, Vir Vohra, Yashwant Desai, Vinayak Mehta, and many others. (My apologies to all the persons whose names I can't recollect right now). While in Delhi he and my mother were active members of the Army HQ Dramatic Society; one of their close friends and collaborators being the late Mrs Joy Michael, onetime Principal of St Thomas' School. My father was a keen 'theatre-walla' and produced plays at all the schools he was associated with. Two of his favourites were The Tea House of the August Moon by John Patrick and Journey's End, by R.C. Sherriff.
In June 1961 Lt Col Simeon was selected by Defence Minister Krishna Menon to start the first Sainik School, at Kunjpura, Karnal. Many of his students rose to high positions in the Armed Forces, one becoming Chief of Army Staff. My father always had the highest regard for Krishna Menon and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He retired from the Army in 1967, and then spent three years as Headmaster of La Martiniere School, Calcutta. He was appointed Headmaster of the Doon School in 1970, where he spent nine years. During their time in Dehra Dun they became friends with Mrs Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit and her daughter Mrs Nayantara Sahgal. Here is a link to a photo of my parents while they were at the Doon School, in the mid 1970's.
In 1979 he took over as Principal of Cathedral and John Connon School, Bombay, from where he retired in 1986. Here's a beautiful tribute to him by a student of his who rose to be Head Girl.
Eric Simeon passed away in May 2007, having been looked after with care and tenderness by the Army's R & R hospital in Delhi. During those last weeks, a veritable army of his old students came to see him, and he recognised them and appreciated it; and even joked with them. One of them told me that he had given them so much, it was their duty and an honour to look after him now. Another said "your father has left his stamp upon the Indian Army". He was a great and warm-hearted soul who remained intensely humble till the end of his days. Here's a small tribute and photo of him in 1962. His funeral was attended by several senior officers as well as old students from the other schools, and close friends. I could add many things but for those who remember him, this should suffice for the time being.
Rest in peace dear father. I salute you on your birth centenary.
