1106 Private Fairborn David joined the Special Service Unit, the precursor to the Guyana Defence Force, shortly after leaving school in 1965. He was among the first batch of civilians (as opposed to VF and police converts) recruited and trained to form the nucleus of the new country’s Defence Force. Fairborn rapidly moved up the NCO ranks, first in A Company, then Training Wing, and then Recce Platoon, achieving the title of Colour Sgt. before migrating to the USA.

In the days when personal and individual initiative was a desired and welcomed trait among soldiers, Recce Platoon members fondly recall that as the NCO in charge of Quarter-Mastering, David distinguished himself by regularly notifying the families of troops stationed in the interior when a ration flight was due to depart, then personally going around to collect care packages from these families so that their loved ones could be afforded some of the comforts of home.

In May 1986, Claude Woolward approached Fairborn at the latter’s bakery at 3608 Clarendon Rd. near Brooklyn Ave. with the proposal that former soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force should formally get together to provide mutual social and economic support. Not only did Fairborn immediately and wholeheartedly pledge to join, but he also volunteered his business premises as a meeting place.

THE REST, AS THEY SAY, FORMS THE HISTORY OF THE EARLY YEARS OF THE XGDF ASSOCIATION OF NY.

For close to three years, through summer’s heat and winter’s cold, the members of our fledgling organization enjoyed the hospitality of Fairborn’s modest accommodations where one could always be assured of a cold beer, a fresh-baked loaf, and the certainty of meeting old colleagues and renewing firm friendships.

Fairborn, though ailing, took the time and trouble to come out and vote at our last election held in March. We believe that besides the excitement of the elections, Fairborn was also thrilled to be among some of the old stalwarts and to meet some of the new generation.

Rest in Peace, dear brother.