PAF Hero Cecil Chaudhry Passes Away

[Abbas Ali]

(L to R) - Flight Lieutenant Cecil Chaudhry, Wing Commander Muhammad Anwar Shamim and Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Bhatti with an F-86 Sabre photographed during 1965 war.

APRIL 13 - Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain (retd.) Cecil Chaudhry today died at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Lahore. He was 70 years old and fighting lung cancer since last year.

As fighter pilot, Cecil took active part in Indo-Pak wars and flew combat missions as Flight Lieutenant in 1965 war and as Squadron Leader in 1971 war.

Abbas

[inducedrag]

I felt sad to hear the news. May his soul rest in peace

[himmat01]

May his soul rest in peace.

[Zulfiqar]

http://dawn.com/2012/04/14/air-war-hero ... ies-at-70/

LAHORE, April 13: Group Captain (retd) Cecil Chaudhry, a veteran fighter pilot of Pakistan Air Force and a war hero, died here on Friday. He was 70. Mr Chaudhry was suffering from lung cancer and was under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital where he passed away.

Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, has expressed his extreme grief on the death of the PAF legend.

Mr Chaudhry was born on Aug 27, 1941, in a Christian (Roman Catholic) family of Dalwal village located in the Salt Range. Son of veteran photo-journalist F.E. Chaudhry, Cecil joined the PAF on March 12, 1958, and got commissioned in the GD(P) branch on June 26, 1960.

During his career, he commanded two Mirage squadrons and Combat Commanders School. After his retirement in 1986, he became an educationist and rights activist. He served as principal of St. Anthony’s College for several years. Later, he was appointed principal of St. Mary’s Academy at Lalazar, Rawalpindi. He retired from this post in July and joined the Punjab Education Foundation as its director.

Mr Chaudhry worked for the betterment of special children and for education reforms. He remained affiliated with the National Commission for Justice and Peace, and played a key role in the 14-year campaign that led to the restoration in 2002 of the joint electorate system for minorities.

He leaves behind three daughters and a son – Michelle Chaudhry, Carol Hay, Merlyn Khan and Cecil Chaudhry Junior.

Funeral service will be held at Lawrence Road’s Sacred Heart Cathedral on Sunday. He will be buried at the Jail Road’s cemetery.

In a statement, the air chief extended his deepest sympathies and profound condolences to the bereaved family over the death of the great fighter pilot and a true patriot. Mr Chaudhry was taken as the beacon of inspiration for the rank and file of Pakistan Air Force, he said.

The PAF chief said Mr Chaudhry participated in several aerial battles during the 1965 and 1971 wars with India. He was credited with several air-to-air kills and was one of the distinguished Pakistani strike and fighter pilots of that time. Group Captain Chaudhry displayed outstanding professionalism, unflinching devotion and exemplary courage during the two wars.His services were beyond the call of normal duty and he made significant contributions to the air superiority that the PAF achieved during the 1965 war. He was part of the famous attack formation which was responsible for the destruction of Halwara airfield and the Amritsar radar in the 1965 war. In recognition of his meritorious services, he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat and Sitara-i-Basalat. — Staff Reporter

[TAILWIND]

RIP Gp Capt Cecil Caudhry

[Cyrus]

Good man. Rest In Peace.

[Abbas Ali]

PAF pilots interviewed by a BBC correspondent during 1971 war.


(L to R) Squadron Leader Cecil Chaudhry (F-86 Sabre), Flight Lieutenant Aurangzeb (Mirage III), Wing Commander Ali Imam Bukhari (F-86 Sabre), Flight Lieutenant Shahid Fouzzi (Mirage III) and Squadron Leader Farooq Umar (Mirage III).

Abbas

[SalamPaks]

A man who understood what it meant to be a Pakistani. A role model to all.

[Abbas Ali]

Message by bereaved children of Group Captain (Retd.) Cecil Chaudhry, Sitara-i-Jurat, Sitara-i-Bisalat, in today's (April 15) newspaper. Cecil's wife Iris passed away two years ago.

Last rites of Cecil will be held today (April 15) at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, adjacent to St. Anthony's High School, Lawrence Road, Lahore, at 2:00PM. Later, he will be laid to rest at the Jail Road Cemetery at 3:30PM.



Message of condolence in today's newspaper by Punjab Education Foundation (PEF).



Last rites of Cecil being performed at the Sacred Heart Cathedral where his body was brought with full military honours.





Tribute article by I.A Rehman in April 15 edition of English daily 'DAWN'.

A hero’s glide into history

Most of the passengers on the Airbus knew that landing at Kathmandu airport in a monsoon month could sometimes become difficult but when the pilot’s second attempt to find the opening to the valley failed, anxiety began to seize them. Except for Cecil Chaudhry, sitting next to me, by the window. Appearing to be completely unperturbed, he was not even looking at the clouds that had enveloped the plane. Only when on the third attempt the plane had completed a safe landing did he whisper a comment: “Quite difficult landing; good pilot.”

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry (retired), who died in Lahore the other day, was known for his coolness and concentration on his objective in times both of peace and war. The people of Pakistan and the chroniclers of air battles across the world knew him only as one of the earliest heroes of the 1965 war – he had shot up to fame on the very first day of the conflict. But his exploits in the cause of peace and justice were no less outstanding.

The second son of Chacha F.E Chaudhry, the doyen of the country’s news photographers and his widely respected wife, Cecil was fortunate in receiving a wholesome upbringing. Known as devout Christians his parents were also respected for their austere living and compassion for all fellow beings in the finest traditions of a secular culture. Cecil taught himself to live by these values.

From the accounts one has heard from his Air Force colleagues Cecil Chaudhry was a good officer and fairly earned all the promotions he got. He deserved to rise higher than the final rank allowed to him (Group Captain) but his belief stood in his way.

He was hurt but he had the capacity to suppress his bitterness. His loyalty to the motherland was unshakeable. He got a chance to help two Arab states (Iraq and Jordan) modernise their air force and they wanted him to stay with them longer but by then the struggle of his community for its rights had begun to claim his time.

Cecil Chaudhry threw himself in the struggle for Pakistani minorities’ political rights with a passion that lifted the campaign against separate electorates to new heights. He lectured in cities across the country, organised rallies, refused to be deterred by criminal cases against him and his companions, and was also invited to address participants and lawmakers in foreign capitals.

Those who happened to join him at meetings on rights will recall with admiration his careful planning of his briefs, his insistence on getting his facts right, and his tenacity in pursuing his argument.

These qualities also served him well when he took over as the Principal of Saint Anthony’s School, Lahore, and raised the status of his alma mater. Apart from making a conscious effort to combat discrimination on the basis of belief one of his remarkable initiatives was a student exchange programme with foreign institutions for the promotion of peace. Until a dreaded disease obliged him to choose reclusion Cecil Chaudhry was recognised by his enthusiasm for action, his good smile and his unforced laughter. Life gave him many rewards; they did not turn his head. He had his share of sorrows; they did not spoil his heart. He stood by his post, erect and proud, full of goodwill for all human beings, a fine specimen of what a Pakistani citizen can be.

History will honour him in full measure.

Source: DAWN

Abbas

[bhattman]

RIP Brave hero of Pakistan.

[smhusain_1]

Deeply regret passing of this son of Pakistan. The Air Force should remember to correct such grave errors of promotion of bypassing individuals based on their faith. An officer of similar faith, Flt Lt Middlecoat, flying a F104 gave his life for our country in the 1965 conflict with India.They are to be thanked by our nation.

Message by bereaved children of Group Captain (Retd.) Cecil Chaudhry, Sitara-i-Jurat, Sitara-i-Bisalat, in today's (April 15) newspaper. Cecil's wife Iris passed away two years ago.

Last rites of Cecil will be held today (April 15) at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, adjacent to St. Anthony's High School, Lawrence Road, Lahore, at 2:00PM. Later, he will be laid to rest at the Jail Road Cemetery at 3:30PM.



Message of condolence in today's newspaper by Punjab Education Foundation (PEF).



Last rites of Cecil being performed at the Sacred Heart Cathedral where his body was brought with full military honours.





Tribute article by I.A Rehman in April 15 edition of English daily 'DAWN'.

A hero’s glide into history

Most of the passengers on the Airbus knew that landing at Kathmandu airport in a monsoon month could sometimes become difficult but when the pilot’s second attempt to find the opening to the valley failed, anxiety began to seize them. Except for Cecil Chaudhry, sitting next to me, by the window. Appearing to be completely unperturbed, he was not even looking at the clouds that had enveloped the plane. Only when on the third attempt the plane had completed a safe landing did he whisper a comment: “Quite difficult landing; good pilot.”

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry (retired), who died in Lahore the other day, was known for his coolness and concentration on his objective in times both of peace and war. The people of Pakistan and the chroniclers of air battles across the world knew him only as one of the earliest heroes of the 1965 war – he had shot up to fame on the very first day of the conflict. But his exploits in the cause of peace and justice were no less outstanding.

The second son of Chacha F.E Chaudhry, the doyen of the country’s news photographers and his widely respected wife, Cecil was fortunate in receiving a wholesome upbringing. Known as devout Christians his parents were also respected for their austere living and compassion for all fellow beings in the finest traditions of a secular culture. Cecil taught himself to live by these values.

From the accounts one has heard from his Air Force colleagues Cecil Chaudhry was a good officer and fairly earned all the promotions he got. He deserved to rise higher than the final rank allowed to him (Group Captain) but his belief stood in his way.

He was hurt but he had the capacity to suppress his bitterness. His loyalty to the motherland was unshakeable. He got a chance to help two Arab states (Iraq and Jordan) modernise their air force and they wanted him to stay with them longer but by then the struggle of his community for its rights had begun to claim his time.

Cecil Chaudhry threw himself in the struggle for Pakistani minorities’ political rights with a passion that lifted the campaign against separate electorates to new heights. He lectured in cities across the country, organised rallies, refused to be deterred by criminal cases against him and his companions, and was also invited to address participants and lawmakers in foreign capitals.

Those who happened to join him at meetings on rights will recall with admiration his careful planning of his briefs, his insistence on getting his facts right, and his tenacity in pursuing his argument.

These qualities also served him well when he took over as the Principal of Saint Anthony’s School, Lahore, and raised the status of his alma mater. Apart from making a conscious effort to combat discrimination on the basis of belief one of his remarkable initiatives was a student exchange programme with foreign institutions for the promotion of peace. Until a dreaded disease obliged him to choose reclusion Cecil Chaudhry was recognised by his enthusiasm for action, his good smile and his unforced laughter. Life gave him many rewards; they did not turn his head. He had his share of sorrows; they did not spoil his heart. He stood by his post, erect and proud, full of goodwill for all human beings, a fine specimen of what a Pakistani citizen can be.

History will honour him in full measure.

Source: DAWN

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Pakistan Air Force men paying their final respects to Group Captain (Retd.) Cecil Chaudhry at Lahore Air Base.


Air force men carrying coffin draped with Pakistan flag at Lahore Air Base.


Final resting place of Group Captain (Retd.) Cecil Chaudhry at Jail Road Cemetery, Lahore.


Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Through following message published in April 22 newspaper, children of Group Captain (Retd.) Cecil Chaudhry have thanked people from different walks of life who expressed their support and sorrow over the demise of national hero.



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Lawrence Road in front of St. Anthony's High School in Lahore renamed as Cecil Chaudhry Road in a ceremony held at the school today.

Cecil was St. Anthony's High School Principal for many years.


Photo Source: ummat.net

The unveiled plaque reads:

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhary
Sitara-e-Jurrat, Sitara-e-Basalat
(1941-2012)

In recognition of his gallantry services as fighter pilot during 1965 and 1971 wars Government of Punjab has renamed this road as Cecil Chaudhary Road.

Abbas

[riz]

better late than never.