Bravery medal for Bluff leading seaman killed during rescue effort
The late Amrithlall Tothara Ramdin was honoured by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) with posthumous bravery medals on Armed Forces Day, commemorated annually on February 21.
IT was a bittersweet moment for Bluff widow, Verusha Ramdin, as her late husband, who died during a rescue effort six years ago, was finally honoured for his bravery.
The late leading seaman, Amrithlall Tothara Ramdin (40) died while trying to rescue three staff members of the Department of Public Works from a gas-filled sewage pit at the Durban Naval Base on February 17, 2017.
His colleagues, Able Seaman Francois William Mundell (26) from the SAS Makhanda in the Western Cape, and Seaman Henro ter Borg (21) from the Maritime Reaction Squadron in Cape Town, also died during the rescue effort.
The seamen, who were approached for assistance, had gone into the sewage pit to rescue the workers but died after inhaling toxic fumes.
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All three seamen were honoured by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) with posthumous bravery medals on Armed Forces Day, commemorated annually on February 21.
Verusha said she and her family were invited to attend the event that took place in Richards Bay on Tuesday.
She said that while it would not bring my husband back, she was happy that her husband and his colleagues were given the recognition they deserved.
Verusha said that, with the assistance of the South African Indian Legion (SAIL) of Military Veterans, she had sent a letter of enquiry to the SA Navy, requesting that the three men be recognised for their bravery.
“I felt it was important that my husband and his colleagues be acknowledged for their bravery and selflessness. My husband dedicated 22 years of his life to the navy and was very passionate about his job.
“It was an honour that our son, who was so close to his father, received the medal. I know my husband would have been very proud,” she said.
The mother to Surav (14) and Saiyuri (21) said the past six years had been a struggle as they are still trying to cope with their loss.
“My children were still so young when their father died, but he left them with everlasting memories. We were and still are a very close-knit family. If my husband wasn’t working, he would be spending time with us,” she said.
Verusha said that, despite it being six years, she still feels the pain of hearing her husband had died like it was yesterday.
“Time does not heal – we just live each day, holding onto the memories. But, I still remember that day so clearly. He had hugged our daughter extra tight that morning before she left for school. He said goodbye to me, and I said I would call him later, as I did every day. I remember I called him at about 09:00, and he did not answer, and I thought he must be busy, so I would call back a bit later.”
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“A few hours later, I heard the sirens but did not for a second think that my husband was in any danger. It was about 14:00 when I was informed that he had died. I was in complete shock but had to quickly compose myself for the sake of our children who were very young at the time.
“There are difficult days when I miss him so much. We were married for 17 years, and he was my best friend. The children and I are always talking about him, and we relive those happy moments together which gives us the strength to keep going. Now, we have another good memory of his bravery being recognised, ” she said.
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