Royal Groupies - 1961

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Thursday, May 25, 2006

Bernard S...for those who remember ...

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posted by Royal 1961 Groupies @ 10:58 AM 

4 Comments:

Blogger Firoze S. said...

July-10, 2006

Bernard Lorensz Solomonsz (b.07.01M.50) is one of our guys who left us from Royal Primary School. The other 9-guys who also left us from RPS were:

(1) Liaquat Ali Khan Bahar (b.20.02M.49). (in SL).

(2) Tony Charles Foenander (now in L.A. in the U.S.). (Eric was in email contact with him).

(3) Mohamed Rizvi Ghouse (b. 08.10M.49). (now in the U.K.).

(4) Mohamed Yamin Ghouse (b.04.04M.50). (in SL).

(5) Pieter Henry Luke Leembruggen (now in Sydney, Australia). (former DIG Police W.A.R. Leembruggen's son).

(6) Direndran Seshanka Perera (b.11.01M.50) (now in New Zealand) (Bernard Solomonsz is in contact with him).

(7) Charles Michael Glenroy Stewart (thought to be in Australia).

(8) Fitzroy Ainsley Van Houten (thought to be in Australia).

(9) Percival Eric Keith Wambeek (now in Australia).(He is accessible via Roger Thiedeman in Down Under: a great traveller and casual contributor to the SL newspapers).

(10) Kim Parsons (an American from Seattle, Washington).

Note: Nos 5, 7, 8 & 10 are the only guys with whom contact was not able to be made simply for the reason that they have got absolutely lost! 7 & 8 are cousins.

10:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Guys!

This is an Appreciation of our dear Bernard Solomons's father, who once held the prestigious position as general manager of People's Bank.

He was well known amogst the elite and as well as the small man then.
He died sometime in the 1960s; Bernard should know the exact date.

I'm reproducing an Appreciation about Mr Wilmir M Solomons published in the Silver Jubilee Souvenir (1944-1969) of the Moors' Islamic Cultural Home, Inc.
at page-109, for the information of all you guys and especially for our great pal Bernard Solomons who was with us from IC to 6C at good ole Royal Primary School with us. Save this for your record dear Bernard. The MICH is the pioneer Ceylon Moor institution in Sri Lanka with its 5-storied Headquarters at No. 27, Bristol Street, in Fort, Colombo-1. People's Bank still occupies a floor or two. Thanks to your great dad.

Omar Kamil is the joint secretary at MICH; his father MHM Kamil held the position of Hony Treasurer for 40-years from 1947 until his death. Omar's grandfather WM Hassim, JP, was one of the founder members of MICH in 1944. MICH incorporated was established as a charitable institution by
legislation passed by the State Council under Ordinance No. 46 of 1946.
Here goes:

APPRECIATION

Mr WILMIR M. SOLOMONS
Late General Manager, People's Bank)

Published in the Silver Jubilee Souvenir (1944-1969) of the Moors' Islamic Cultural Home, Inc., at page-109 (July-1970, MICH, Colombo, Ceylon))

Bank Managers, as one often hears, are to be regarded as hard nuts to crack. Yet, Mr WH Solomons, like King Solomon and his mines, cracked the nuts of Bank Managers' hard-hearted policy in refusing to part with money without the most secure security.

If one knew of the many hardships he relieved; the many obstacles he cleared; and the quantum of happiness he brought to the needy, then only could one appreciate the reason for the many floral tributes that adorned his grave and the numerous mourners who attended the funeral of Mr Solomons, with heads bowed in homage to the passing away of a genial and generous Bank Manager who had a big heart for the small man.

The small industrialist; the impecunious under-graduate; the harassed house-builder; the hard-pressed trader, who hitherto had been driven from pillar to post in their search for loans were all there to pay their last respects to one who had helped them in their hour of need, once he was satisfied they were worthy of confidence, and as such deserved a helping hand to give them a lift in life.

The Moors' Islamic Cultural Home ran short of funds for the completion of its Fort Building . The building contractor had to be paid and the work speedily completed, and thereafter suitable tenants had to be found to lease the premises. It was indeed a colossal task.

It so happened that the People's Bank itself needed a spacious place in the Fort to open an elaborate branch to serve its constituents more effectively.

Having failed to obtain further loans elsewhere, it was to the accommodating Mr Solomons that we turned for aid. He gave our appeal sympathetic consideration. With remarkable banker's prudence he laid out a scheme of mutual benefit. He was to give us the loan, and we were to give him the place – both transactions on reasonable terms. What financial wizardry!

6:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Guys

Sorry for the reply delay. I am sure glad you sent me this info.

I left Sri Lanka in 1969, and my father died in 1970. Unfortunately I was unable to go for the funeral. To the day I regret this but circumstances were such

From there on I had no contact in SL. He went to great efforts to get the bank
started at the time. He was recruited by the government, and I recall he introduced mobile banking into SL.

There was a brewery called 3 coins, and he lent the brewery owner the money to open the brewery. How are they going today.?

He also had a huge part in establishing Air Ceylon at that time financing one of
their first planes. It was an Avro made in Russia. I think this is Air Lanka today.

And I believe his philosophy and dream has been carried on with the bank having many branches throughout the country. So the people of Ceylon didn’t have to rely on foreign banks. How many branches are there now of the People’s Bank? In 1969 there were around 40 branches plus mobile banking units.

It anyone can get photos of him I would truly appreciate this. By email would
be fine. I have one picture of him which is 2" x1".

Again thanks for the info. Hope you are all in good health

Regards Bernard
bsolomons@exedyusa.com
bsolomons@dcc-us.com
14.10.06

9:14 AM  
Blogger Firoze S. said...

Refer July-08, 2010 entry to see photo of Mr Wilmir Hurft Solomons.

9:03 AM  

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