Childhood
Thimmayya was born in Madikeri, the district town of Kodagu ( also known as Coorg), Karnataka, on 30 March 1906 as the son of a wealthy planter. On his father's side, he belonged to Kodendera clan to which India's first commander-in-chief Cariappa also belonged. His mother Cheppudira Chittauwa was from the Cheppudira family. She was a recipient of the Kesar-e-hind for her philanthropic contributions. Both families are of royal lineage. His maternal uncle C B Ponnappa was in first batch of commissioned officers from Indore school and a batchmate of Cariappa. Desiring that he receive a good education, he was sent at the age of eight years to St Joseph's College in Coonoor a convent run by Irish brothers. Later, Thimmayya was sent to Bishop Cotton Boys' School in Bangalore. After completing school, Thimmayya was sent to the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, a necessary stepping stone for a commission in the Indian Army.His elder brother Ponappa (later joined INA )as well as younger brother Somayya (died in a mine accident in 1947-48 Kashmir operations) joined Indian army. Following his graduation from RIMC, "Timmy", as he was affectionately known, was one of only six Indian cadets selected for further training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1926.
Read more about this topic: Kodendera Subayya Thimayya
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