A soldier’s legacy

This quick and easy read is a book for all times. It portrays a life well-lived from the halcyon days of childhood and colonial raj through independence, partition and the transformation of India into a modern, democratic republic; a transition to which the army and officers like Lt Gen Faridoon Bilimoria contributed in large measure.
Bilimoria came from an eminent Parsi family that produced several high-ranking public servants from military officials, (including his father, Brig Noshir Bilimoria), to a governor, an ambassador, an inspector general of police, a chief justice, engineer and even a superintendent of jails. The lineage continues with his son, Lord Karan Bilimoria, being the first Parsi to become a member of the House of Lords in the UK.
Growing up in a military family, Faridoon seemed destined to follow the family tradition. The 1st Battalion of the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) was based in Mathura when his father was commanding 77 Infantry Brigade. The young lad, an alumnus of the Doon School and the Joint Services Wing, a forerunner of the National Defence Academy, pursued his dream with passion and in June 1953 he was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Gorkha Rifles at the age of 20. ‘Billy,’ as he was affectionately called, worked his way through the ranks. In a career spanning 38 years, Bilimoria went through the paces from being an adjutant at 58 Gorkha Training Centre, aide-de-camp to President Dr Rajendra Prasad, serving with The Battalion in the Congo as part of a UN peace-keeping mission to commanding his very own Battalion 2/5 Gorkha Rifles during the 1971 war.

The Battalion fought valiantly in the battles of Pirganj and Bogra (in erstwhile East Pakistan), which hastened and facilitated the surrender of Pakistan’s 16 Infantry Division. On December 7, 1971 through the slush and undergrowth of this very delta region the Gorkhas under his command, along with tanks, crossed the Karatoya River and sped towards Pirganj, encircling the enemy and taking them by surprise. Maj Gen Nazar Hussain Shah, general officer commanding, 16 Infantry Division and brigade commander, 205 Infantry Brigade of Pakistan army surrendered. The Battalion then proceeded to Bogra, which they captured at 0500 hrs on December 16, just before cease fire was declared at 0545 hrs. This was the crowning glory of Bilimoria’s career. He then drove Shah to the surrender ceremony at Bogra. This historic account is well documented in the book.
As a professional soldier Bilimoria attended Staff College in Wellington, was a brigade major in Ladakh, was selected as liaison officer at the School of Infantry in Warminster, UK, commanded a brigade in the Rajasthan Sector, attended the National Defence College, served as brigadier general Staff in a sensitive corps in Jammu and Kashmir, a mountain division in the North East, commanded a corps in the Punjab and Rajasthan sector and ended his career as general officer commander-in-chief, Central Command.

Apart from his professional acumen Bilimoria had a softer, endearing side. He went to great lengths to bat for the men he commanded and, in keeping with army tradition, his wife Yasmin extended herself to take care of the welfare of the families of soldiers who served under her husband. Because of his zest for life and readiness for fun, Bilimoria earned the affectionate nickname of ‘Billy the kid.’ In fact, Billy was very fond of children and went to great lengths to indulge them and to keep his word to them. Once, while transiting through Delhi on posting, he left Yasmin guarding the luggage on the station platform and drove into town with his Great Dane in the rear seat of a taxi only to keep his word to an officer’s son who wanted to play with ‘Lara’ again as he had assured the young lad that it would happen soon!
After hanging up his boots, Billy chose to settle in Dehradun, close to his alma mater, close to the Indian Military Academy and in the hills he loved most. Yasmin and he built their elegant home, Faryas, in this lush valley. Billy now had free time to indulge in his favorite hobby, angling. His deepest satisfaction came from staying close to his Gorkhas, many of whom retire and settle in and around Dehradun. He became chairman of a global agency that provides post-retirement employment to his beloved soldiers, was appointed chairman of Cobra Beer Private Limited, his son’s company, worked on the governing board of the Doon School and along with his wife devoted time to his favorite charities. Billy passed away on August 31, 2005 at the young age of 72, leaving behind many who loved and cherished him and a legacy that will be hard to forget.
A word about the author: Maj Gen Ian Cardozo (pictured) is himself a highly decorated soldier from 1/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) who lost a leg when he stepped on a land mine during the 1971 war. He was one brave heart who cut off his leg with his service khukri as all medical supplies had been destroyed in battle. Through determination and a never say die spirit, Cardozo overcame his disability and rose to become a Major General. Post-retirement, Ian has authored several books but more than that he has passionately taken up the cause of the disabled. This biography is a befitting tribute from one great soldier to another.