Memoirs of Felix 'Happy' Gomesz
Interviewee:
Felix 'Happy' Gomesz
Born: 30th May
1932
Date of Interview: 20th June 2014
Length of Interview: 30 Minutes
Interviewer:
Anton Manickam
CLICK HERE to listen on a mobile device.
Although Happy wanted to be an engine driver as a boy, he stacked up many achievements as an anaesthetist and doctor both in Ceylon and the UK. As a boy, when the monsoons transformed trenches at his father’s estate into mini rivers, he'd make a raft, rowing to neighbouring areas to pick fruits that had fallen from the storm - encountering cobras and water snakes along the way.
Detailed summary
(with time stamping for ease of access)
0:00:22.2:
When and where I was born.
0:00:35.2:
What it was like growing up in Ceylon.
0:00:56.0:
Interesting memories from my childhood.
0:01:54.5:
How I gained the nickname 'Happy'.
0:03:16.7:
Growing up during the war.
0:05:55.7:
My school days.
0:06:54.7:
My career ideas as a young man.
0:07:44.6:
How I won an award from the Association for the
Advancement of Science.
0:08:42.7:
How I became a doctor and came to England.
0:11:54.0:
Gaining my Fellowship in England.
0:13:06.0:
An interesting case involving a Heart Attack.
0:15:10.6:
When I came to England and relating experiences.
0:17:32.7:
Landing at Southampton and first observations.
0:17:55.8:
How we left Ceylon.
0:20:34.9:
One of my proudest achievements.
0:21:28.7:
What I missed about Ceylon.
0:22:04.7:
Blessings of similar cultures: British and
Burgher.
0:22:25.5:
Winter.
0:23:17.1:
Life Now.
0:25:47.1:
My one desire after qualifying.
0:26:16.6:
What I love about London.
0:27:46.0:
How I'm a Burgher.
0:28:50.7:
The Burgher surnames of some of my friends from
Ceylon.
The End