There must be an error regarding the tenure of W.C. Braybrooke as manager of Brownlow. He bought a house in Fairford, England at around 1907 and was definitely present for the national census of 1911. He died in 1914 in Godstone England. So, he was probably the manager till 1905/6 or so. His father, Philip Watson Brabyrooke, once a government agent in Kandy, died in Somerset in 1906.
I really enjoyed reading this awesome write up. I am a nephew to my dearest uncle, the Late Conrad Abeysekere (NB: ends with an E not A). The author Mr. Amerasinghe is spot in his vivid description and some of my uncle’s traits. He was truly loved by all his nephews and nieces. Almost every year he would not fail to take some of not all to his estate home for the school holidays. One time, my 2nd cousin and I fought while he was at work. He of course heard about it. So, that evening he produced two pairs of boxing gloves (he boxed at St. John’s College, Panadura), prepared a ring by moving the living room furniture about to make space, and played referee for us two to box 3 rounds of 3 minutes each. By the time we went through those 9 minutes, we had swelling on our faces (he had us ice later) and quite a few hurtful bruises. Uncle Connie asked us if we would like to have another bout the next day, and we both declined and got on well the rest of our holiday. Honestly, I can write a volume of the fabulous time I have had with my dearest uncle Connie. Auntie Sita mellowed him down from his awesome bachelor days, but she was certainly someone he should have met and married a lot sooner. She too is an aunt I love although the mischievous adult in my uncle was subdued with her. I do love her and wish her well in life.
I have save the awesome stories which is certainly a part of history on Sri Lanka’s Tea Plantations. Well done Sir in documenting your memoirs!
It is a very interesting story. In fact the very different photo with snow in Ceylon caught my eyes. Also when I went in to the article, more surprised to see a know person- Kavan 2 year senior at the uni, associated with it🙂
I have seen this reference to AJvdP before and it is not very accurate. He was a very strong ATHEIST, as letters to his wife written to his wife while on board ship between Europe and Ceylon which I still have will prove. There is no suggestion that his mother was Jewish either, being a direct descendant of the painter Franz Hals whose last name she carried,
Capt William Fisher left the British army in 1830's and married a Sophie ?? daughter of a local plantation owner. "Wavendon" is named after the village in Bucks., England, where his father John Fisher was the vicar 1805-1846.
I used to live in a house called Maturata. Located in Fleck Lane Wirral. The builder of the house was also a captain of a ship called Maturata and built the house after he became captain of the ship. There were big tea crates in the garage he must have taken back from the ship. Amazing history.
My father P.F.R Perera (Reggie) was the assistant manager after Peter Perera (his brother) around 1959 (after Peter). Then Reggie became the manager and moved to the big bungalow around 1967 and was there for about 6 - 7 years. (After David Boyd Moss).My mother is 'Margie' Perera. My sister Nilmini (now in doctor in London) and me were born while Reggie and Margie was the assistant manager. Nilmini has build a replica of the outdoor patio of the big bungalow in her London home to remind of those times. My father died in 2000. Doreen & Dennis (and Rosemary, her elder brother and younger sister - are in the US). Family name is Poninbaduge.
Hi Lorraine, I have just seen your response to my article - thank you for your kind comment. I never knew Andrew Dryborough so can't help you with your request. Perhaps you could search the British records - I expect he died in the UK too, like his wife? Vicki
Sandra, Please contact me via phone 08 9367 7318. I do not use Facebook at all and have only set up an account for certain purposes (such as responding to HOCT comments etc). I would love to talk to you about the old days.
Hello Hareen, I remember Hilary and Rita so well - they were on Mahadowa when they first married. I remember my parents going to their wedding. Rita's maiden name was Rajasingham - am I right? I remember Mum saying she was a lovely bride. Yes, good memories of planting days! Sarnia was lovely and we loved the pool especially - I have three siblings and we spent almost all our time in the pool. Lovely to hear from you. Kind Regards, Vicki
Hi Sanath, I am glad you enjoyed the article - thank you for your comment. I wrote it quite soon after Dad died and hadn't actually seen the comments about it until recently. I remember your Dad quite well - was your Mum "Vinitha"? I was quite young when we were on Edinburgh but recall the bungalow being relatively new at the time - it had a green roof ? There was a big pond just outside the garden and my brother, Hans, fell into it and nearly drowned. He was about four at the time and was a real scamp. I recall the day on which the incident with the KP happened. Dad was going to meet the KP on that day but was thwarted by some social arrangement of Mum's and I think that spared him from the attack. Mum was very upset but Dad was furious about what had been done to the KP. The poor KP nearly died. I was very amused by your recollection about Dad handing Mr Ranawana the gun etc. So the labourers organised a robbery of the payroll - and how cleverly done! I also recall the ST&L Humber, and it is just lovely that you have it now - what memories we all have of past times that were so good. Dad and Mum reminisced often about SL and their days on estates - they left a big part of their hearts in SL and so, never left it completely. The same with me. Vicki
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July 04,2020 12:21am