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

Didn’t sleep to well – ground hard and mosquitoes very troublesome. Up at 5:30 and after breakfast started a new scheme which lasted until 2:30 p.m. Lunch followed and at 4:30 p.m. off again on a night scheme which lasted until 7:30 a.m. next morning. It rained a little and was very cold in the early hours of the morning. It was a weary party which marched back to camp. We had a good breakfast.

Up early at 5:30 a.m. Busy preparations for camp followed. After breakfast we started moving kit and moved off in lorries to the camp. These lorries almost shake hell out of one. We arrived and set up camp in a copse, erected tents and dug slit trenches. We had various duties – guards, air sentries, etc. – and were in a terrific hustle. After lunch, we started a scheme at 2:40 p.m. I was a Section Commander; This lasted until 8:00 p.m., then food, then turned in on the hard ground 11:00 p.m., air raid, so had to get out into trenches.

A busy day. Breakfast, then a head shaking ride in lorries for 35 miles [56 km] to the mountains for FW. We climbed hills and tramped miles. Had a grand lunch and tea out there and arrived back at about 6:15 p.m. Now, just ready for the finals of the boxing. Well, five bouts were finished, and I was about to get the gloves on ready, when down came the rain (truly in Indian fashion). I ducked into the dressing tent, but the ring was so slippery that my bout had to be cancelled.

A fairly easy day. Urdu for three periods and four periods of D&M. Went to bed early to be ready for tomorrow.

Up at 7:45 a.m. Went to morning service. Did a spot of Urdu, which still worries me, then wrote home. Played a game of tennis in the evening. Supposed to be confined to barracks so I thought I’d better stay in. Met Croudace, a boy from school, didn’t know him, but recognized the blazer; funny that Mam should mention him in her last letter.

Expected a MR test, but fortunately the Brigadier decided to give a lecture on ‘Appreciation and Plans’, which prevented it. Instead we did ‘panorama sketching’ in a MR period. Went out on ‘convoy work’ in lorries. In the afternoon I went to the Imperial Hat Works and ordered tailored barathea [most likely a uniform], INR23/8; nearly breaks my heart to spend all that money; but can’t be avoided. My outfit allowance would make Mam comfortable for a year.

  Today I actually discovered the loss of the ring and it has made me most unhappy since. I have looked everywhere for it and also my Bearer, but it seems hopeless. I also had a notice put in orders and I am still hoping. Nights Operations were cancelled owing to the rain.

Not much to report. Went out on a road recce report. Got into a terrific mess after the rain of the previous evening

Out all day. Went after breakfast by lorry. Had a TEWT on Frontier warfare on ground, which was a miniature of the North-West Frontier. Returned at 4:00 p.m. Played rugby in the evening and it was here that I lost Dad’s ring. I didn’t find out until Friday and I have been very worried and troubled about it. I thought it was firmly fixed. I had worn it always in the bath etc.

D&M, Urdu and then I went to Dental Officer and he filled another tooth; didn’t hurt much. In the afternoon I went to a most interesting lecture by a Commando of the Navy on ‘His experiences at Dunkirk and Crete’. It was very illuminating and shows how great our losses actually were. Had a letter from Mam, which was very cheering, and I answered it right away.

PT to start off the day, then D&M for four periods including a test which I think went fairly well. This lasted two periods. Had a game of hockey in the evening.

  Stayed in bed until after 9:00 a.m., not feeling very well. I have been resting all the morning, my stomach is very troublesome. Had a rotten day, but felt better in the evening and went to service. Afterwards I went straight to bed and awoke the next day much fitter.

Had to parade at 11:00 a.m. and didn’t I feel rotten and hot-eyed. I had a nap in the afternoon and feeling much better went to the cinema in the evening and saw Bette Davis in ’The Great Lie’, a very good film. I went to bed very tired and awoke next morning with Bangalore Belly.

Awoke in the morning feeling 100% better. Had a lecture by Assistant Commandant on ‘Parachutists’, then parade again for a Night Operations at 7:30 p.m. We were parachutists and I was a member of a mobile cycle platoon. I had a section and we had to go out to patrol an area about 5 miles [8 km] away. No lights; there were frequent crashes and we didn’t see any enemy so at 2:30 a.m. we started back.

Awoke feeling pretty weak, but although I didn’t eat much breakfast felt better afterwards. Went to dentist and I had a root removed, quite an unpleasant business; bled a lot and painful. Returned and found I had to fight in the semi-finals of boxing; not a pleasant prospect. However, I won on points, although I was very weak at the end and I had a lot of trouble keeping the other bloke out. Well the Final is ahead. Had rotten ache afterward and took a couple of aspirins, which did me the world of good.

Went to dentist, but he didn’t have time to see me. Quite an easy day with various lectures and CM on Desert Warfare and Combined Operations, landing on enemy territory. Had a nasty attack of Bangalore Belly, didn’t eat anything after breakfast and was sick about tea-time, so went to bed after strong dose of salts [Enos].

An easy day. Went out for driving lessons. I said I had not driven previously as I didn’t think that I could claim to be able to drive a 15 cwt truck. Had my first fight this evening in the Platoon competition. I won fairly easily against quite a big opponent. The old left still does its stuff, but my right is not much use and I need a good deal of practice. Still, enjoyed the fight. This was the second round having had a bye in the first.

PT to start the week, then an exercise in Forest Warfare. Quite interesting tramping through the woods in square formation. I am Section Leader this week. Not much more to talk about.

Up at 7:30 a.m. Went to morning service. Writing to Renée, but no letters received. Usual afternoon; spot of Urdu, reading and prepared a lecture on ‘The composition of a Battalion Reconnaissance Group’. Went to evening service and afterwards rode through Bangalore and after Mess, went to bed.

  Night Operations. Wiring in the dark went quite well. Not a bad morning. Demonstration of anti-tank measure, tank hunting, etc. Spent quite a day shopping. Purchased a belt (Sam Browne) INR22/8, an evening shirt INR4 and two vests INR1 each, this after much bargaining and a complaint that I was robbing a poor man. I still think I was probably dished. Went to cinema. Others were full so went to the Globe for ‘The Return of Frank James’.

Not a bad day. Four periods of D&M. With a partner, changed the wheel of a 15 cwt [762 kg] lorry and replaced spare in 5 minutes. CM (Common module?) lecture on ‘The 10 Armoured Divisions’. Finished off letter home, which I hope to post tomorrow.

  A better day. Went to dentist and had a bad tooth filled – only six more now. Received draft from Imperial Bank so hope to send it on Saturday. Played rugger again, but the ground is far too hard.

Another busy day. After breakfast went out in lorries and did a withdrawal exercise along the Magadi area [51 km from Bangalore]. We had to make a forced march of 5 miles [8 km] up rocky slopes and through scrub. Lunch again was dry rations and welcome. This evening we have to prepare a lecture on ‘On what principles would you train a Mechanical Unit?’ Did not go to Mess again.

A hard day. Had an early breakfast and set off for an 8 mile cycle ride to the Field Firing Range i.e. an area from which all natives had been cleared and in which we used live ammunition. We had a good deal of marching and carried out the scheme shooting at figure targets, which were created in the area. We had lunch out there, dry rations, and afterwards had a most strenuous ride back against a headwind. We were very tired and did not get tea until 6:00 p.m. Afterwards I stayed up until 10:15 p.m. preparing a block model for next day. Did not go to Mess.

Received letter from Auntie Mabel, very pleased to hear. Also delighted to get parcel from Mother. A pity that the cake was mildewed and uneatable, but the books and, above all, the feeling that was behind the gift made me feel that there was a lot to live for. Played rugger for the Company in the forwards; won 14-0. A very hard and tiring game.

  Arose 7:30 a.m. and now I am starting to write home before breakfast. Wrote to bank for draft again. Went to 9:15 a.m. service – beautifully cool and fresh morning. Wrote home afterwards and read a little. Went to evening service and retired early

Watched boxing in the evening. Received Mam’s letter of 4 May, so glad to know my letters were arriving and that all was well at home; very cheered. Drill first; quite strenuous. A couple of periods of D&M and two ATTs and the end of another week had arrived. I was still feeling glad; two letters in 2 days, but no parcel. In the afternoon I did a spot of shopping – bottle of Eno’s [non-prescription antacid] which seem to do me good, soap and stamps and I picked up the photographs. Unfortunately, they are not good, but will give Mam an idea of what my uniform looks like. Saw the film ‘The Awful Truth’ in the evening; not bad I suppose. Retired early.

Weighed in for boxing at 12 stone 13.5 lb [82.30 kg], then medical examination. I expect to fight Lt., Monday. After breakfast, went in truck to Hegganahalli [Bangalore rural district] for a TEWT. Took haversack rations and came back at 4:00 p.m. Had a letter from Pastor Smith, a very kind and welcome letter.

 I was quite wet, but soon went out with a fighting patrol, stumbling over rocks and bushes as quietly as possible. Then we were guarding the river crossing for the main body and I did sentry duty again; cold and wet. At 5:15 a.m. we made a dawn attack up the hill and finished at 6:00 a.m. Back to college by 7:00 a.m. Bath, breakfast and bed by 8:30 a.m. Up at 10:30 a.m. Parade at 11:30 a.m. and on with the day. Bed at 8:30 p.m.

A busy day PT, etc. and normal period until lunch. Then we had a break and had to parade at 3:30 p.m. to draw rations for a night operation. Left the college by 4:00 p.m. by lorry in full equipment – pack, mackintosh, groundsheet and blankets. Disembarked about 5:15 p.m. and took up a defensive position; my section was in a ditch. Started our rations at 6:15 p.m. and settled down for the night – 8:00-10:00 p.m. Sentry duty, then lay on the ground until 1:00 a.m. when on sentry duty again. Bivouac ended and night march started at 1:30 a.m. A strenuous march through rocky hills for a few miles. Then it started to rain.

Visited my pal the dentist and had a gruelling time while he drilled and filled two large teeth. Had a lecture on navigation by Sun Compass; quite interesting.