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THE British Club of Bahrain has this week bid farewell to two members of the team with a combined service of 75 years at the establishment. Mohammed and Abdullah told me their stories.

‘Keep calm and carry on’ is the shared philosophy of these two Brit Club stalwarts. Both have spent their adult lives in Bahrain; Abdullah arriving in 1977 aged 18 and K Mohammed in 1979 aged 22. Abdullah has completed 39 years and Mohammed 36 years at the club.

Abdullah travelled from Kerala and embarked for Bahrain in Bombay and travelled via Pakistan, Iran, Kuwait and Qatar arriving seven days later to a tent in Mina Salman Port. His brother who had recommended him for a job at the British Club met him.

K Mohammed came by air to a very small Bahrain Airport. He had found the job through a close friend. Both men have worked at the club since their arrival in Bahrain and both arrived as single men leaving their families back in Kerala.

“Bahrain wasn’t what I expected, I dreamed of a developed country and Bahrain was all jungle and sea at the time. I was only 18, I truly wondered what I’d done,” said Abdullah, chuckling as he reminisced.

Mohammed left behind his parents and brothers in Kerala. “I’m from a very poor family, we’re a close family and I knew I needed to earn money to help. I always wanted to keep my family happy, and now I can return and relax with them.”

Both men talked about the British Bank as being the only bank here then, they both also joked and laughed about having to ‘book’ a call home. Quite a performance, they had to go to an ‘exchange’ and say the time they wanted to call – this was communicated to Kerala and sometime later the call took place. “We wrote letters home, one letter came, one letter went, every single week,” said Mohammed.

It’s so different now, everyone has a mobile and the story was mind blowing to their young colleague, Entekhab.

“I have learned so much from these guys” he said. “They teach me about respect and the value of hard work. Plus I am learning so much about their history. I know I am in a hurry to make progress but I can see the value of patience and appreciate their loyalty.”

Most club members will know Mohammed. He has been like the maître d’hôtel of the pool area. He is unflappable and has a very distinguished air about him.

“He has never been known to raise his voice or lose his temper. He paces himself every day with an unchanging routine; never tired, never late and never sick,” added Entekhab. “I wish I was as calm.”

Abdullah worked behind the scenes as a porter, a man who loved his work and was proud of his contribution to the club’s smooth running. “I will miss my work,” he says wistfully, “but I know when I get home there will be a long list of jobs to be done too and I look forward to that.”

He arrived with fashionably long hair, bell-bottomed trousers and both men laughed at the memory.

Again I am told that Abdullah had never taken a day off sick and could be relied on 100 per cent. “He is such an honest man, humble and grounded and such good fun, it will be impossible to fill his shoes,” one committee member told me.

Both men got married during their time at the club and have three children each. Abdullah’s older daughters are settled here in Bahrain, his sons-in-law are from Kerala and run an Indian restaurant, Akbar, in Riffa. His youngest daughter is seven and at school, “I want her to become a teacher. I didn’t get an education. It’s the most important thing a parent can offer. I want this for Risafetiya,” he said, eyes shining with pride.

K Mohammed’s daughters are happily married. His son is still studying for his Masters degree in commerce.

“My wish is that my son will complete a proper education and work in India only. I don’t want him to work abroad, it is a hard thing to do and he is not as strong as I am.”

We started to talk about what they will miss and what they have learned from their lives here. “Life teaches you a lot. Family is the most important thing and it is very important to spend time with loved ones. Patience in life, stay calm, things will come to you at the right time,” said Abdullah.

“You must always be honest in anything and everything you do; humanity comes first. You give respect, you get respect. Through my hard work and my father’s hard work we have kept our families happy, that is the most important thing,” added Mohammed.

Both will miss their work and the club in general. They both agree members are ‘more relaxed’ these days. In the early days of the club it was much busier, with queues to get in and members were a lot more demanding. They both speak of being really well managed.

Abdullah is going to spend some time in Bahrain before he and his wife and young daughter head back to Kerala where he will enjoy working on his own house. K Mohammed wants to relax for a few months but has in mind a small business venture, maybe with his son once he graduates.

It was a real pleasure to spend time with these modest men and a privilege to hear their stories. I asked David Endall, general manager of the British Club of Bahrain, what he would say to these guys.

“What do you say about two gentlemen who’ve given so much of their lives to the British Club? Words can’t quantify all of the changes they’ve witnessed here, the highs and the lows. I have the upmost respect for them both. I thank them for their friendship and their commitment to the British Club and it has been a pleasure to have worked with them both. I wish them both the very best in whatever the future holds for them.”

Jill Boggiss, fan of the Brit Club staff members.