Warwick Camp: “Johnny” Retires After 41 Years
Mr John Desa’s retirement was acknowledged this past weekend. Since 1969, he had been Warwick Camp’s gardener, responsible for maintaining all the grounds, gardens, and hedges inside the Camp.
During the 41 years that he worked there, over 6,000 Bermudian men and some women passed through service period with the Bermuda Regiment. Most of them would have gotten to know “Johnny” – as he was usually called.
Mr Desa first came to Bermuda from the Azores. He arrived in 1967 and for two years worked as a gardener at the Sonesta Beach hotel. From there, in 1969, he moved to a gardening job at Warwick.
Mr Desa was familiar with both the army and conscription. Before leaving the Azores, he had served his three years of fulltime compulsory national service in the Portuguese armed forces. The first four months of his national service had been in the Artillery. He was then transferred to the Portuguese Air Force and he completed the thirty-two month balance of his service in the Air Force. All thirty six months had been spent in the Azores.
Many soldiers will recall seeing Johnny in the Dining Room where, of his own and freely and voluntarily, chose to help out on many occasions.
Between 1969 and 2011, Mr Desa saw many changes. He saw the Regiment grow from about 400 to 700 and then fall back to about 450. He was there when, in 1978, the first Bermudian became the RSM of the Bermuda Regiment.
He was there when the Servicewomen first started their service in 1979. He was there when, in 1981 and for the first time, the Bermuda Regiment was commanded by Colonel who was black. Then in 2009, he was still there when the Bermuda Regiment had its first Colonel of Portuguese descent.
Mr Desa has seen Royals – including HM the Queen, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, HRH the Princess Margaret – walking through his patch. Starting with Lt/Col Michael Darling in 1969, Mr Desa has served under twelve Colonels who have commanded the Bermuda Regiment. Mr Desa and Lt/Col Darling are pictured below:
At Mr Desa’s farewell reception, the Minister for National Security, past Commanding Officers, the Chairman and Members of the Defence Board, officers and Warrant Officers and Sergeants and NCO’s, and several other persons came back to Warwick Camp to bid a fond farewell to an old friend. As it does for any other reception, the Bermuda Regiment band played ‘garden party music’ in the background.
Mr Desa last act was to plant a tree on the Officer’s Mess lawn. “Johnny’s tree” will grow alongside the fourteen trees that commemorate the memory of thirteen past Colonels and one tree dedicated to a long-serving Major. Photo below of Mr Desa courtesy of Kenny Byron.
At the end of the evening Mr Desa was treated to a short Retreat Ceremony after which, in a ceremony usually reserved for Royalty, Governors, Premiers, Mayors, Generals and Commanding Officers; the Bermuda Regiment band marched past and saluted Johnny Desa.
He has been replaced by Bermudian Shaun-Thomas, who is pictured below with Mr Desa in a photo courtesy of Kenny Byron:
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What Johnny retiring no way, Johnny and the Regiment goes hand in hand. Wishing you Gods speed Sir.
Your last sentence speaks volumes. What the hell is that suppose to portray.
I’m shutting up………
He’s kept a Bermudian out of a job for 41 years?
I need a freekin injection.Come on Bernews…..
Terry you are such an a**h***!! Johnny has done a wonderful job at Warwick Camp!! His shoes will be very difficult to fill!! This man was more then a gardener – he always had encouraging words when soldiers were ready to give up!! Johnny, best of luck to you and your wife!! @Terry get a life…..if you were able to do a quarter of what Johnny has done!!
@ Terry
Instead of getting so wound up, they are simply stating that the post of gardner at Warwick Camp is now filled by a Bermudian.
Would your comment be the same if the last line was, He was replaced by a gardner from overseas?
Well we know it’s ‘you’. Of course it would not be. What a stupid comment.
As for being wound up, not at all. Just bringing reality into it. Read what I wrote and stop spinning my words.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, so are last linners.
Plus, I am quite sure that Mr. Desa has Bermuda Status et al. Thats my freeking point. Bermudian must mean what. His nephew got the job?
Give me a break or did they hire a blackman.
Terry, I seriously think you need to stop while your ahead!!
In fact Terry The Bermuda Regiment did hire as u describe a blackman. His name is Shaun Thomas and yes he is Bermudian. My picture’s are on the way to ” Bernews “.
Chill Terry relax and have a ” Dark n Stromy “.
Bermy, your missing the whole context of my comments. As for talk to me straight sideways….. ah never mind.
In a few years you’ll be screaming to get a job. But I doubt it….your not on the firing line…….
Squad……Shunn………By the right quick….march……////””damn…march is gone it’s Joone…..
Congratulations “Uncle” Johnny you were always a pleasant sight to see at camp and you always had an uplifting comment for us. I would even go as far to say that you were probably the only good thing left up there. I’ve been out of camp for 6 yrs and when I see you, you always have an encouraging word up to this day. You have a memory like an elephant cause to remember one out of 6,000 is really impressing!! I’m sure you’re like that with all of the former recruits that took time out to speak to you during their time served. Enjoy your retirement years and may God continue to bless you. Good story Bernews
When my Dad was RSM, we used to sit in a tree singing ‘Johnny Tiger’ while he did the garden, whatever that meant. He was always lots of fun. Happy Retirement Johnny Tiger! x