Devesha Ramdhayan: A Mauritian in the British Royal Navy

His dream was to become a police officer, however, Devesha Ramdhayan was half a centimetre short of the prescribed height. The grass being greener on the other side, the young man found solace in the British Royal Navy which he joined after migrating to the UK. This Mauritian by birth and British citizen by choice, now aims to become a Commissioned Officer within the Navy. 

Devesha Ramdhayan never thought that destiny would take him so far and so high in his professional life. From nurse to Chief Petty Officer at the Royal Navy Nursing Service, and currently Academic Registrar at the Defence School of Healthcare Education at Birmingham City University, he has had a rich career.

After completing his Higher School Certificate in 1997, Devesha Ramdhayan dreamed of joining the Mauritian police force. “I come from a humble family from a Mahebourg village. My father was a tailor and my mother a housewife. Having a sister, I am the only son of the family. Following my HSC, I wanted to become a police officer.” However the young man was only a few millimetres short of achieving his dream – half a centimetre to be precise.

Thinking about other career prospects, Devesha met with his father’s friend Ramesh Sohun who advised him to work in the nursing field. “At school, we did not have any career counselling. Late Ramesh Sohun, who had lived in England for over 20 years, is the one who guided me and motivated me to opt for nursing,” he explains. 

In the same year, despite financial difficulties, Devesha managed with the help of his family to fly to the UK for an interview at the English National Board of Nursing. “However my first shot at the interview at the Royal Berkshire Hospital was not successful. I had difficulties to communicate in English. I thus had to take advanced courses at a night school. I was really stressed as I only had a six-month visa.” His second attempt at the interview was a success and doors were wide open for him to study nursing at the King Alfred College, Winchester.

“It was a very fruitful training. A very good friend of mine, John Evans, took me under his wings. I am also forever grateful to my father’s friends Jacques and Sylvie Suntha who welcomed me at their place during that time. Jacques was a true inspiration for me. They considered me as their child. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” confides Devesha. Manager of a nursing home, Jacques gave the young man the chance to work as well. “I studied during the day and worked night shifts to have better exposure to the nursing field as well as save some pocket money.”

Towards the end of his nurse training, the Armed Forces Recruitment Team visited the college and this piqued his curiosity. Devesha contacted his local careers office and passed all recruitment tests with flying colours. In 2000, he joined the Royal Navy. “I was very much excited but questions cropped up in my mind. It was unchartered territory. In addition, my parents were anxious.” Wrestling with his fears, Devesha successfully passed the 10-week basic training course at the HMS Raleigh. 

“This training was intensive and physically demanding. I learned a lot about command and control, leadership and management skills, teamwork, among others. The learning of basic skills such as courtesy, bedside manners, standard of dressing, was the easiest part for me as they form part of my personality. My father raised me up with good manners. When I was young, I used to help him in his workshop and welcome clients. This is why I am really proud of who I am and where I come from. I never forget my origins and I am proud to be a Mauritian,” he explains. His rich values made him won the Commodore’s Prize for General Standard Behaviour. 

In 2001, Devesha went for his first placement at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, in Gosport. “I started my first posting at the elective orthopaedics as a qualified nurse. It was also an opportunity for me to consolidate my nursing skills, to learn how the military works, learn about ward management, how to look after military patients among others.”

Giving back to his native country

Father of two daughters, Devesha dedicates his success to his father. “He is the one who has given me the good home education. Education does not happen only within the four walls of a classroom but starts at home and what your parents teach you. They teach you the basic manners to deal with life. My father has always guided me and has never been an obstacle in my career. He gave me his trust and told me to be good to others.” 

Devesha settled down with Mary (an Irish) who also worked at Royal Naval Hospital Haslar back then. He confides that he is also forever grateful to the woman of his life who sacrificed her professional life for their couple. “When you are in the military, it is hard to strike the right balance between professional and personal life. But Mary takes care of the girls, of the house and supports me in what I do. She knows how the military works, having been exposed to it herself,” he utters.

Devesha plans to work with the Alleck family who already run a pre-primary school in Mahebourg, to set up an English medium school for pre-primary students of the region. “Giving others what you know is what I believe in. For me, it is prime time to give something back to my country.”