The two "Life-Saving" "Kodava" "Ganapathys" in First and Second World Wars.


 

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The two  life saving  "Kodava" Ganapathy s  in World War I  and  II

A  war always  spells , huge loss of life and property, resulting from the egos and expansionist tendencies  of two governments. While injury, invalidity, incapacitation, death are usual for those who fought the wars,  the families who suffer due to this, is not reported or read anywhere.  May be some soldier got a gallantry/bravery  award which got  him some extra pension for him and later for his family.  In some cases, some governments offered lands to those soldiers who came back from the wars. But, all these perks can never be equal to the  love and affection the  war-returned soldier gives to his family.  But, there are many soldiers, both male and female,  who went, no doubt as soldiers with arms in their hands, but  more qualified to tend to the injured  soldiers, care for them and see that they return home alive. They are the Medical and Nursing Service  Officers  of any of the  various  Armies.

Here are the achievements  of two  great personalities, who will be remembered by many who were treated and tended by them  amidst bullets flying all round in the war arena.

The two  Ganapathys of Coorg were qualified Doctors with MBBS qualification, who were Commissioned Officers of  the British Indian Army. Both were very brave Officers in front of the machine gun fire and did their duty, saving many lives in the battle field. They were awarded  the coveted "Military Cross"

The first one was  Lieutenant-Colonel Codanda Madieh Ganapathy, MC, Indian Medical Service, was  commissioned in Indian Medical Service and joined the British Indian Army as a Temporary Lieutenant on 14 December 1914. 

He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) while serving as Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) of 101st Grenadiers (now 2 Guards) during World War I.  On the 20th September 1918, during operations against Turkish forces in Palestine, North-East of Selfit, he showed great gallantry in attending to the wounded under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire throughout the day, showing a complete disregard of personal danger.

To his untiring efforts many men owed their lives. He rose to the rank of Lt Col and was Director of Public Health, Madras. In 1941 he was appointed Companion of Indian Empire (CIE) .

The second one was Brigadier Kitianda Ganapathy, MC, Indian Army Medical Corps, is the son of Calappa and Thangavva (Thamane Codanda,) sister of Dr Codanda Medappa) was born in Madikeri. After completing his schooling from Central High School, Madikeri he did his MBBS from Chennai.    Ganapathy joined Army Medical Corps and participated in World War II. He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery while Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) of 2/3 Gorkha Rifles during operations in Italy.

The  citation for his Military Cross reads “Throughout the operations in Italy over the past year this officer has displayed a devotion to duty of the highest order. His gallantry, courage and initiative were quite outstanding and his own personal example was invariably an inspiration to all who worked with him, and without a doubt his untiring efforts saved many lives. On 15 Jan 1945 on the river SENIO while RMO of 2/3 Gurkha Rifles (Under 10 Indian Infantry Brigade/10 Indian Division/13 Corps) his RAP (Regimental Aid Post) was established in PIDEURA Sector, Italy. Two men were so badly wounded in a forward coy (company) area that they could not be evacuated. Capt Ganapathy immediately went forward through very heavy shell and mortar fire and due to his efforts alone these men were able to be taken back.”  

Ganapathy continued serving in the Indian Army after independence and rose to the rank of Brigadier.

His wife, Dr Meena Thangamma (Thamane Kodendera) whom he met while doing their MBBS in Chennai was Chief Medical Officer of Consolidated Coffee, Pollibetta

                                                                                                       )

                                            Brig. K. Ganapathy. M.C.   (From Kodava Clan)

 

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