Eighty years ago: diary of Indian Army officer cadet March to December 1941

  Nothing of event. I’m afraid I’ve let this diary slip and thus cannot now remember what happened. I am Boxing Representative for the Platoon and thus have to get up a team for the competition this week. It’s a rotten and difficult job, no time for training and most feel too tired for boxing.

Woke at 7:30 a.m., got up about 7:45 a.m. Went to service at 9:15 a.m. although really confined to barracks. Spent rest of day writing and reading Warwick Deeping’s ‘Shabby Summer’.

Had breakfast at 8:00 a.m. having had Law test beforehand. Then went out to Agram about 6 mile [9.7 km] and did a TEWT for five periods. Next down to bank and tried to find the best method of sending [money] home. Seems very difficult, but they told me to send for a draft, which I can send to England and it can be cashed in a bank there. Went to BRV [originally a canteen/store and armoury of the Bangalore Rifle Volunteers] cinema and saw a very good film – ‘All this and Heaven Too’. One of the best; I enjoyed it.

Not much to report. No news of when we go. Doing more advanced stuff now, also on Maintenance. Afterwards, out for 3 or 4 hours on the Plain. Did not have breakfast until 9:45 a.m. Could do with another letter. Don’t have to suppress my views in the Mess; many there agree with me that all should be given an equal chance in life. Just one section of ‘The old school tie’ type.

After breakfast went to dentist and after quite a wait had one filled and a giant removed. It made my jaw ache when the injection thawed out and after taking some aspirin, I went to bed at 6:00 p.m. and stayed there until next morning. Had our mid-term reports read out by the Assistant Commandant. Main feature of mine was ‘A quiet, hard-working cadet, must try to develop word of command, plays games’.

Awoke before 5:30 a.m. and as usual started the day. We did three periods of TEWT on attack before breakfast at 10:30 a.m. Was hungry? No food since tea yesterday. D&M, two CM followed by one ATT (anti-tank training). Had a lecture at 6:30 p.m. by a cadet of [undecipherable word] who had been with the KOLIs [perhaps KOYLI – King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry] in France. Started to rain as I left so had to change. D&M should become very interesting.

A busy day, Urdu and PT. My Munshi leaves tomorrow and he disappointed me by suggesting that he receive a parting gift. The Eastern mind! We did three periods of TEWT then D&M (Driving and maintenance), how to start and stop a truck. Now on eight periods a day due to shortened course. Not much leisure left. Had heavy rainstorm this evening. Saw article in ‘Field’ on Forest of Dean, most interesting, photos of Speech House and Newland Oak. Did not go to Mess, but went to bed instead.

  ‘Not enjoyment and not sorrow is our destined human way But to act that each tomorrow finds us further than today.’ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, A Psalm of Life (1839) I noticed the above in a newspaper and thought it worth recording – quite appropriate for the times. Well, another development, Germany attacks Russia; wonder if this will shorten the war. Went to dentist at 9:15 a.m., had two teeth filled and he told me to come again when I felt strong enough. Trouble is that time is wasted, it takes a whole morning. Heard very pleasing news from the Coy Cdr that the course is shortened to 5 months, leaving 7 weeks.

Up at 7:45 a.m. and reported sick so that I could see the dentist tomorrow. Went with Hughes and Dean to Commercial Street to measure for a Sam Browne [belt]. Read in the afternoon and did a little Urdu. Went to service in the evening; quite a nice few there.

Spent four periods on the Cloth Model on AA (anti-aircraft) and AT (anti-tank) defence. In the afternoon I read a little, dropped off to sleep, had tea and changed. Then went to the cinema and saw Dorothy Lamour in ‘Moon over Burma’; not very great. Returned to Mess, had dinner and read a little of ‘Whiteoak Heritage’ [book five in the ‘Whiteoaks of Jalna’ series by Mazo de la Roche] and went to bed.

Had a three-period fighting patrol out on Agram. Number 400 was chosen as patrol commander and had a pretty hectic morning issuing orders and making decisions not to mention mistakes.

  Not much to report. Urdu going again, but not too well. Tonight, my Bearer confided all his troubles to me. Apparently, his wife ran away with another man and now lives with him. The Bearer has one child now with his mother; went to Padre who will fix things. If boy says he likes father, then father has custody. Apparently, this is all that is required for divorce. Bearer says it is not worth having another wife and thus the boy will stay with his mother.