Ex-soldier pens his army career

An old soldier launches his first book "They Marched to the Tune of Wings"

An old soldier of the Sri Lanka Army Kenneth Reeves who migrated to Canada after his retirement launched his first book "They Marched to the Tune of Wings" when he came back to his motherland on a holiday recently.

The event was held at the 5th. Field Engineers Regiment SLE. Headquarters at Matthegoda recently on the occasion of the Sri Lanka Army Engineers Association's Annual General Meeting.

The author presented the first copy to Former Army Commander, General Denis Perera."Wings" is the regimental march tune of the Sri Lanka Engineers.

In his book, Reeves narrates his early life in the Sri Lanka army when the country was not plagued by terrorism. He portrays an easy going nation with a fun filled army.

He enlightens the reader with the history of the land, its people, its culture, habits, and religious beliefs and describes its abundant species of fauna and flora. He also gives invaluable advice on some of the dangers one could encounter in the harsh backwoods. The author recounts humorous, passionate and poignant stories about military training, his hometown, his experiences in the backwoods of the island and in the capital city of Colombo. These stories are entwined in a number of short stories, some illustrated by authentic and funny line drawings.

He claims these stories are mainly facts and others fiction and leaves it to the reader to guess, which is which.

In the story; Winston, the main character joins the army and befriends five men of the regiment he served. They stick together and look out for each other.

While serving in Amparai, Winston and Dan travelled to Batticaloa, a town in the east coast, and plan to visit a bawdy house.

On their way, they meet Grace, a former nun, who learns of their intentions and puts them off. From then on, much friendship endured between Winston, his friends, Grace and her girls, until tragedy strikes.

The writer, Kenneth Reeves was born in Matale, Sri Lanka.

He completed his education at St. Thomas College Matale and joined the Sri Lanka Army.

He was posted to the 1st. Field Engineers Regiment as a sapper and was subsequently appointed as Regimental Sergeant Major. He has extensive knowledge and experience of survival in the backwoods of the Island.

After his retirement he worked in Saudi Arabia for six years. Later he immigrated to Canada in 1994, with his wife, son and daughter and now resides in Whitby, Ontario.

The interesting stories, mostly written in an unedited form and his authentic and self explanatory line drawings, make a worthwhile read. In the picture the author presents the book to General Denis Perera.