Brig H Chukerbuti

I have very fond memories of Brig Chukerbuti. When I was posted in Wellington in 1991-92, he was our local Colonel Comdt. I have enjoyed their hospitality many times at Bonnie Nestie. His son was with me in MS Branch in 1995-96. If I remember correctly Isabel Ellen was a WAC (Womens Auxiliary Corps) officer during WW II and she and Brig Chukerbuti both attended the same staff course! Perhaps some old timer will authenticate the story.

I recall one incident that occurred when I was at Wellington. A group of British tourists were visiting Ooty. It included Gen Horsfield of Royal Signals and his wife. (General Horsfield had served with Indian Signals before 1947 and was later the president of the Indian Signals Association in UK). I think when they were in Madras they rang up Brig Chukerbuti and told them of their plans. They were to reach Coimbatore next day by train and then drive up to Ooty.

Brig Chukerbuti decided that Gen Horsfield must be received in true Signals style. The Comdt was kind enough to give staff car. When the group got off the train they found a gleaming car, complete with a flag and two stars, standing right on the platform. Brig Chukerbuti received the Horsfields and conducted them to the car, telling the rest of the group that he would drop them at Ooty by nightfall. The British group was surprised when they found that two members of their group had been ‘kidnapped’, but were also impressed with the esprit de corps of Indian Signals.

Needless to say, Brig Chukerbuti asked us to join them during lunch at Bonnie Nestie. After spending a few hours at Wellington, the Horsfields were driven to Ooty in the same staff car by Brig Chukerbuti to join up with his group.

Brig Chukerbuti was our oldest signal officers when he passed away. The ones who were senior to him were AC Iyappa, JR DeSouza, BD Kapoor, BS Bhagat, RN Batra, SN Bhatia and Apar Singh. With his passing away, another of the old guard has left us.

Maj Gen VK Singh