VICEROYS
REMINISCENCES OFA GURKHA BY
MAJOR-GEN;NIGEI
This book
ed below
SOUTHERN BRANCH,
r ' r CALIFORNIA.,
~AUF.
UNDER TEN VICEROYS
GENERAL BRUCE DISGUISED AS A NATIVE CI.ERK.
UNDER TEN
VICEROYS
THE REMINISCENCES
OF A GURKHA. BY
MAJOR-GENERAL NIGEL
WOODYATT, C.B., C.I.E.
COLONEL ?TH GURKHAS
WITH 16 ILLUSTRATIONS
HERBERT JENKINS LIMITED
3 YORK STREET ST. JAMES'S
LONDON S.W.i. $ MCMXXII
F~ O """ "^ f\
5 o J 3 1
Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Frame and London
TO
MY WIFE
WHO, WITH HER BRIGHT COMPANIONSHIP, HAS EVER BEEN
THE LODESTAR OF MY LIFE ; AND WHOSE LOYAL AND
LOVING HEART, IN ALL THINGS GREAT AND SMALL,
HAS REJOICED IN MY SUCCESSES, CONSOLED
IN MY SORROW AND SOLACED IN MY
DISAPPOINTMENTS,
I DEDICATE THIS BOOK
CONTENTS
ik. CHAPTER PAGE
I. WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 13
v II. THE CALL OF INDIA ...... 29
AV *
III. INDIA IN THE EIGHTIES 38
IV. THE DUFFERINS AT SIMLA 49
V. LORD DUFFERIN AND THE AMIR . . . . 56
v VI. LORD ROBERTS 63
VII. I JOIN THE GURKHAS 79
VIII. WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN ..... 88
IX. KITCHENER AND CURZON . . . . .106
X. KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM . . . .127
. XI. THE HUMAN SIDE OF " K." .... 147
S XII. THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL . . . . .158
? XIII. THE " LITTLE MAN " 171
Jj XIV. RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP 189
XV. SEDITION IN INDIA ...... 203
XVI. PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS . . . .217
XVII. A STUNT FOR THE VICEROY. . . . .231
XVIII. THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR 243
XIX. TERRITORIALS IN INDIA ..... 255
XX. SOME TRIALS OF A COMMANDER .... 272
XXI. GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR .... 282
XXII. INDIAN UNREST AND " BIRDIE " . . . . 295
INDEX 3*3
ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING PACE
GENERAL BRUCE DISGUISED AS A NATIVE CLERK Frontispiece
THE AUTHOR, WHEN G.O.C. LAHORE DIVISION, AND MOUNTED
ON HIS HUNTER-CHARGER " WARRIOR," WINNER OF Six
FIRST PRIZES IN THE RING, WINTER OF 1919-20 . 40
AN IB-POUNDER R.F.A. GUN CROSSING A RIVER ON A RAFT
PROPELLED BY TWO HORSES SWIMMING 80
LORD CURZON, WHEN VICEROY OF INDIA, ON HIS SHOOT IN
THE DISTRICT OF GARHWAL, SEPTEMBER, 1903 . .no
LORD KITCHENER AND HIS PERSONAL STAFF, DELHI, 1903 . 144
BRIGADIER-GENERAL THE HONOURABLE C. G. BRUCE, C.B.,
M.V.O., LATE STH ROYAL AND 6ra GURKHAS AND OF
MOUNT EVEREST FAME . . . . . .160
GENERAL SIR BABER SHUM SHERE, JUNG, BAHADOOR RANA,
G.B.E., K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E., NEPALESE ARMY . . 166
NEPALESE EFFIGY, MADE OF WOOD AND CLAY, IN FRONT OF
QUARTER GUARD OF PASU PATTI PRASSA BATTALION OF
NEPAL CONTINGENT AT ABBOTTABAD, 1915-19 . .168
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HILL, C.B. . . . .176
PIPERS OF 2/3RD QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S OWN, GURKHAS, PLAYING
IN A VILLAGE IN FRANCE, WINTER OF 1914-15 . .186
GENERAL His HIGHNESS MAHARAJAH SIR CHANDRA SHUM
SHERE, JUNG, PRIME MINISTER AND MARSHAL OF NEPAL,
CHRISTMAS, 1920 ....... 220
QUETTA STAFF COLLEGE CHRISTMAS CARD, 1919, AT END OF
FIRST TERM HELD AFTER THE GREAT WAR . . . 248
BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. E. H. DYER, C.B., INDIAN ARMY . 290
THE STREET IN AMRITSAR CITY, PUNJAB, WHERE Miss SHER-
WOOD WAS LEFT FOR DEAD BY THE REBELS IN APRIL,
1919 .......... 292
" MAHATMA " GANDHI, THE INSTIGATOR OF NON-CO-OPERA-
TION ......... 298
GENERAL SIR WILLIAM BIRDWOOD, BT., G.C.M.G., K.C.B.,
C.I.E., D.S.0 306
THE TEN VICEROYS
1. THE MARQUIS OF RIPON . assumed charge 8th June, 1880
2. THE EARL OF DUFFERIN . ,, ,, I3th Dec., 1884
3. THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE ,, ,, loth Dec., 1888
4. THE EARL OF ELGIN AND
KINCARDINE . . ,, ,, 27th Jan., 1894
5. BARON CURZON OF KEDLESTON ,, ,, 6th Jan., 1899
reappointed i3th Dec., 1904
6. BARON AMPTHILL . . assumed charge 3oth April, 1904
7. THE EARL OF MINTO . ,, ,, i8th Nov., 1905
8. BARON HARDINGE OF PENS-
HURST ....,, ,, 23rd Nov., 1910
9. LORD CHELMSFORD . . ,, ,, 4th April, 1916
10. LORD READING ,, ist April, 1921
11
UNDER TEN VICEROYS
CHAPTER I
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER
" "W"M damned if I do," said my father, with a stamp
of his foot, and a chilling silence fell over the
Vicarage drawing-room.
-* The Reverend Edward Woodyatt was in a bad
temper ; indeed, he was in what his mother, the last of
the Drakelow Gresleys, used to call " one of Edward's
little pets." His mother's darling and spoilt from his
cradle he was, although the most lovable of men, not too
practised in self-control.
I can picture that scene in the drawing-room now, after
a lapse of forty years. My mother, very disturbed and
fanning herself, for it was a hot June evening, my eldest
sister looking pretty and bright-eyed with excitement,
my father walking up and down in the dickens of a rage,
but very handsome in his wrath, whilst I, the cause of this
most unclerical outburst, sat in a very low chair, my feet
well apart, my elbows resting on my knees, my hands
on either side of my head and my eyes fixed upon the
carpet.
My father was one of those men who, while possessing
plenty of energy and initiative in the small things he liked
doing, much preferred procrastination in anything big.
In such matters he took as his motto, " Never do to-day
what you can put off until to-morrow." Being myself the
opposite and very adverse to havering, I am afraid I must
have been a dreadful thorn in his side. Yet we were great
friends, and I enjoyed his whole-hearted delight in any
13
14 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
humorous happenings in our little village, where he was
immensely liked and much respected.
He was an extremely good-looking man, with a neat
figure. In his younger days a bit of a dandy, and to the
end a great admirer of the fair sex. Dissent from the
Church of England was becoming more general in my early
youth, and very marked in our parts ; yet, being broad-
minded, he remained quite popular. I remember there
was a good deal of discussion amongst the neighbouring
clergy when, on the death of a local and prominent
dissenter, my father invited the pastor of the deceased's
persuasion to conduct the burial service in our church-
yard.
I can recollect during the Russo-Turkish war, how he
returned one day to luncheon bubbling over with merriment
about a chance encounter that morning with the local tax
collector. This man was an advanced Radical (classed,
in those days, as we should now class an extreme com-
munist), a rabid dissenter from the Church and possessing
an extraordinarily good opinion of himself and his fund
of general knowledge. The latter, derived entirely from the
county newspapers, was pretty superficial, but he didn't in the
least realise it. My father, being a practised public speaker,
had often come up against this local politician and found
occasion to put him right. This didn't change the man's
views, but gave him a very sincere regard for the vicar's
real knowledge and learning.
Well, they discussed the war, the stubbornness of the
Turk, the endurance of the Russian, the probable out-
come of the struggle, etc. Then, just before parting, the
tax collector made the following enquiry, and this was
what had upset my father's gravity so much : " And
Measter Woodyatt, them Turks, I suppose, they're all
' Cartholics ' ! "
My mother, one of the Yeomans of Woodlands, Whitby,
was very clever and a great linguist, speaking French,
German, Italian and Spanish. Her humour was most
quaint, her fund of general knowledge prodigious, for she
was a most voracious reader, and her memory quite extra-
ordinary. For instance, her great-grandmother (Mrs. Hale,
wife of John Hale who raised the I7th Lancers, as the i6th
Light Dragoons) had twenty-one children, eleven sons and
ten daughters. She only once saw them all together,
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 15
when she fainted ! As most of the daughters married,
here alone was a nice mix-up of cousins of sorts. Yet
my mother remembered them all, their names, the number
of children they had, where they lived, and how they
prospered.
In addition to this she had the most wonderful spirits,
making her a very delightful companion. No sickness,
no pain, no trouble, daunted that brave heart. A few
minutes before she died my brother Barney (Dr. Bernard
Hale Woodyatt) came to her bedside. She was too far
gone, poor dear, to either move or speak, but smiling at
him she actually winked ; just to show that her spirits were
game to the very end. To my lasting regret I was in
India when we lost one upon whose like we shall never
look again.
At the time of which I am writing I was in the well-
known Liverpool firm of Phipps & Co., coffee merchants.
The head of the house lived at Chalcot, in Wiltshire, where
he was Member for Westbury. His eldest son, Charlie,
a junior partner, who later succeeded his father as Member
for the same constituency, then lived in Cheshire, and went
daily to business in Liverpool.
One day Mr. Phipps took away my father's breath by
a letter asking if I would like to enter the firm as soon
as I left Shrewsbury School. The offer was accepted, and
my mother could talk of nothing but what her eldest son
would do when he became a merchant prince.
But when the time arrived, it was found my destination
was to be Rio de Janeiro, then notorious for its yellow
fever. My parents, therefore, refused the appointment
on plea of too extreme youth for such a climate. The
result was that a boy from the Liverpool office was sent
instead and I was given his post. Three months later
he died of yellow fever, and my people thought they had
chosen wisely.
Work in the Liverpool office was pretty strenuous, for
we youngsters had to be at our desks by 9 a.m., and never
got away before five o'clock. We received no salary for
five years, during which period we were supposed to be
learning the business. Indeed, we were thought to be
lucky that our parents paid no premium for the supposed
advantages their sons gained in entering the firm.
This might be quite right in cotton, where you got many
16 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
valuable connections outside, but coffee was quite another
pair of shoes.
The work consisted mainly of book-keeping, letter-
writing and checking bills of lading, while the correspondence,
being mainly with New York, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro
and Valparaiso, did not enable us to get to know anyone
at all. Fellow clerks kept going out to Rio de Janeiro
and returning. Men like myself, who had started in this
firm doing five years' work for nothing, and then were
" articled " for another five years on a moderate salary
in the South American branch.
After two years I began to wonder what prospects the
future held. I did not propose to be a clerk for ever,
but there were dozens of sons, nephews or cousins of the
name of Phipps, who would all be preferred for partner-
ship before me. The life was by no means objectionable,
but there was nothing tangible to look forward to. Many
of my friends were soldiers, and I began to conceive a great
hankering after the Army.
Another disturbing factor was the increasing influence
of a newly-made partner, a German, called Gorstenhoffer,
whom I detested so cordially that it seems now a sort of
premonition of the feelings we should all bear, later on,
towards his fellow-countrymen.
With these thoughts in mind and full of foreboding,
I had journeyed home and selected this hot June evening
to ask my father to sound Messrs. Phipps & Co. regarding
my future prospects ; adding that, if no definite promise
of a partnership were forthcoming, I thought the Army
offered me a much better career.
This was the bombshell which called forth the domestic
storm with which my chapter opens.
In the end I got my way and, as Charlie Phipps explained
in a very nice letter that it was impossible to make any
promise as things then stood, I left the firm and entered
the Cheshire Militia. Managing to pass the Army entrance
examination at my first attempt, I was duly gazetted a
lieutenant in the ist battalion Dorset Regiment on I2th
May, 1883. Unfortunately I was then over twenty-two
years of age, and this was a dreadful set-back all my
service.
In justice to my father I must confess that he had every
reason to be upset, for my record to date had been such
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 17
as not only to cause him some anxiety, but also very con-
siderable expense. During my two years in business he
had been obliged to allow me 300 a year, which I had
greatly exceeded. I had also been much addicted to
hunting, football and running.
The first had his sympathy, but hardly his countenance
because of its costliness. The last he detested because he
considered the whole surroundings low, and unfit for one
of our class to indulge in. As regards football, I am afraid
I did let it interfere with my studies considerably.
Having given up the Rugby game, after playing it a good
deal in Liverpool and London, I founded a " socker " club
in our village, called the " Over Wanderers," which soon
embraced the adjoining town of Winsford. This was, I
believe, the beginning of real football in those parts, and I
heard afterwards that later on the little club achieved some
prominence. If this should catch the eye of Mr. Hamlet,
of Winsford, it will call to mind the many jolly games we
had together.
Living in the middle of the hunting in Cheshire, I had
attended all " meets " anywhere near my home from my
earliest years, commencing the riding part on a female
donkey, bought to provide milk for a sickly baby brother
rather to the detriment of the milk !
She was really an excellent animal, but only went her
best pace when one bestrode her extreme hind-quarters.
The usual procedure was to beat her hard with the
open hand while on foot and, when she got into a good
canter, leap on behind ; she would then gallop for
about two hundred yards, when the process had to be
repeated.
It is not everyone who has been " blooded " by old Regi-
nald Corbet off a donkey, yet such was my privilege. The
meet was not far from my home and my age about ten
years. After finding in the nearest covert, hounds went
off with a burst and the donkey and I were soon done to
the world with the strenuous exertion required by our
method of progression.
Riding homewards somewhat disconsolately, and when
passing my father's churchyard, I suddenly heard the
music of the hounds behind me, and they actually ran into
their fox amongst the tombstones ! It was not long before,
pushing open the gates, I was in at the death, whilst very
B
i8 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
shortly the M.F.H., "Old Corbet," as we boys called him,
jumped the low wall of the churchyard, followed by his
huntsman.
Having had a nice burst of twenty-five minutes and now
a kill, he was in a high good-humour and, calling me up,
blooded me very liberally, saying : " You're a damned
good boy and that's a damned good donkey. Now go
home and tell your father to give you a glass of
port."
Having seen and spoken to me last at the meet, I firmly
believe he imagined I had followed a considerable portion
of the run.
We boys always knew what sort of a day Old Corbet
had had when we saw him jogging home, for, if good, his
cap was tilted backwards ; but if bad, the peak was pulled
right down over his eyes.
Many celebrities came Cheshire way. Amongst them
the late Mrs. Cornwallis West caused me to fall in love
before I was in my teens, for I thought her the most beautiful
woman imaginable. She was not a hard rider, I remember,
but she had a very large circle of admirers, who regularly
jostled one another to see her home.
A great flutter was caused in the Tarporley Hunt by the
attendance two seasons of the late Empress of Austria,
piloted first by Bay Middleton and then Rivers Bulkely.
She was a fine horsewoman, splendidly mounted and rode
quite hard. Two other things about her I can recollect
as striking me :
(a) Her marvellously fitting habit. (b] The extra-
ordinary slimness of her waist. Mentioning these to
a boy friend, he told me his eldest sister assured him
she had worn tight stays since her cradle, and that
her habit had to be done up with a button-hook after
mounting.
No conveyances were ever seen at meets in those days,
except perhaps a farmer's gig or a child's pony-cart, whose
occupants hoped to see some of the fun by following tracks
and by-ways.
People hacked to their hunting, sometimes a very consider-
able distance, and were content to jog home afterwards.
There is no reason to suppose our forbears had more
stamina than we ourselves, so when one hears a man
talking of his father or grandfather hunting six days a
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 19
week through a season, one takes it with a large grain of
salt.
The days I write of were those of the old Tarporley Hunt
(whose members wore a green collar) in the sixties and
seventies of the last century. I can recall quite easily the
names and faces of such "green collars" as Corbet, my
first M.F.H., Squire Wilbraham, Tom Cholmondeley
(afterwards my Militia C.O.), J. Tomkinson (Jamie), etc.
And many who were not " green collars," like Charlie
Phipps, my business boss, " Monkey " Hornby, John
Birkett, Harry Rawson, with John Jones (the First Whip
and then Huntsman for a total period of thirty- three years),
and many others. And later the younger generation,
including Willie Court, Bo. Littledale, Will Higson and
Mosley Leigh.
Tom Cholmondeley was a fine judge of a horse, and a
great horse-master. Jimmy Tomkinson, on account of
his hard riding, was always called " Tommy Jumpkinson,"
and was the only man I ever heard say he could catch hounds
when they had once got a start. This, however, he was
frequently known to do. Squire Wilbraham used to confess
that his going entirely depended on his horse, because
when he got near a fence he always shut his eyes until he
landed on the other side. Mr. Rowland E. Egerton-
Warburton, in his famous Cheshire ballad, " Farmer Dobbin,"
says of him :
" Squire Wilbraham of the Forest, death and danger he defoies,
When his coat be toightly buttoned up, and shut be both his oies."
Of Tom Cholmondeley he wrote :
" An' a chip of owd Lord Delamere, the Honorable Turn."
John Birkett I don't think I ever saw take a fence, but
he was a great man down a lane. " Monkey " Hornby
was a sort of privileged person and could go anywhere he
liked, even into covert. In his early days he rode all sorts
of crocks and got many croppers off them, for nothing
stopped him.
I had an amusing morning one day with old Harry Rawson,
who had lost his horse. I think he had meditated attempt-
ing to ford a brook. He certainly wasn't going to try and
jump it. Anyhow I was some fields away browsing the
20 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
donkey, which I was getting too big for. I saw old Rawson's
lanky figure on foot and the horse careering in front of me.
Leaving the donkey for the old man to ride if he liked,
and making a short cut, I caught the mare behind a
wood, and getting up had a nice gallop towards hounds,
who had turned their fox back to covert. Then very
demurely I dismounted and led the mare back to her
owner, who thanked me effusively, but eyed me, I thought,
rather suspiciously.
As time went on and the donkey was discarded, I
ran with the hounds for miles and miles, and later on
got an occasional mount, while every fiver given me was
spent on a hiring. Some very good animals I got, too.
I think the fiver gave me the horse for something like
seven days, and I am afraid he went back always very
much finer than when I got him. My father had to feed
him.
To lead up to the running mania, I must record that,
before going to Shrewsbury School, I had been much bitten
with it because of the enthusiasm of my old nurse's nephew.
At his periodical visits to his aunt, I used to sit at his feet
in the nursery, and listen to the wonderful performances
on the running-path of Jack This and Billy That, until
I knew quite a lot about it.
At school I took it up strongly, scoring many victories
in the winter term " cross country runs," due probably
to my early training in the hunting field. In my second
or third year, though fully young for it, I had the temerity
to enter for the Senior Steeplechase. It was a very barbar-
ous performance in those days, as the course was three
miles of stiff country over thorny hedges and other obstacles.
Quick-set hedges, four feet to five feet high, were called
" belly hedges," because you had to learn to take off some
way in front, hurl yourself on your belly on top of the
hedge, and then wriggle over.
The costume consisted of ordinary thick under-drawers
and long-armed vest, with " fighting " drawers (sort of
bathing drawers, as worn by boxers) over the former. Round
the stomach was a broad wash leather waistbelt to keep out
thorns, and on the hands stout leather gloves.
After donning these garments the sleeves of the vest
were firmly stitched with stout thread to the gloves, the
legs of the drawers to the socks, the waistbelt to the vest,
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 21
round the waist, and the edge of the fighting drawers to
the lower pants, all round.
There were two very old traditions about this steeple-
chase on foot, namely, that neither the boy who " broke"
the first hedge (i.e. was first over) nor the boy who led across
the cavalry field (a huge pasture of forty acres used for
yeomanry training), ever won. You don't think of these
things when excited, and I happened to do both without
realising it at the time.
Then came a set-back. The next fence was a " belly
hedge," at which I had never been good. Getting much
too close before jumping, I never got on top at all, but
slithered down to the near side. A run back for another
attempt, and the same result. A third shot and I was
over, but not before the whole field had passed me.
The favourite, Ffolliott Sandford, was now leading, and
it was veritably a case of the " first shall be last and
the last shall be first." At the same time a great feeling
of sickness came over me, and I remembered how some
blighter had persuaded me to swallow two raw eggs
half an hour before the race as "very good for the
wind."
General fitness and a long stride helped me to keep going
and, after a couple of meadows, even to overtake two or
three of the field. Then came the bend home, and though
I felt I was catching up, still Sandford was a field ahead
with two others at his heels.
Over the last " belly hedge " and my eye saw the final
obstacle but one, in front of Sandford, and I knew it for a
teaser of a fence, with a really wide and deep ditch on the
near side. Away went the sickness, and I sprinted hard,
for there was just a chance that the leader would miss his
jump and fall back into the ditch, which was exactly what
he did.
Not only that, but the two others, rather spent, did the
same, and all three were in the ditch together, greatly imped-
ing each other in their panting and clutching efforts to get
out. Much exhilarated by the sight, feeling now absolutely
fresh and putting on all the pace I knew, I jumped
the whole lot clean men, ditch, hedge and all and once
more regained the lead that I had lost.
It is impossible to say how it was done. It must have
been the two eggs ! There is little more to tell. Blind
22 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
with joy, I burst through the last fence anyhow a stiff
bullfinch and rushed up to the winning flags. Even
equipped, as we all were, with thick drawers, leather waist-
belt, gloves, etc., I finished in tatters, and it took two men
quite an hour to get the thorns out of my body and limbs.
Brandy was then rubbed in, which, for a few minutes,
made one dance with pain.
Good old Shrewsbury, with hundreds of years of tradition,
quaint customs and old-world appearance. I talk as it
was over forty years ago, and before the school moved to
the beautiful site across the River Severn. Those were very
happy days, though I fear I did little for the school in the
scholar line. My one and only form prize was a classical
one, my first term, obtained simply because of being put
too low down at the time of entry.
Not satisfied with long distance running, I then took
up sprinting, and at the annual school meeting managed
to win both the senior hundred yards and the quarter mile.
This fired me more than ever.
On going into business in Liverpool, I found my old
nurse's nephew, Harry Ellis, had blossomed into a kind
of professional trainer in charge of some running-grounds.
During the following summer, getting some leave, I lived
with him, for a six weeks' course of training, to the great
disgust of my people.
Running was a good deal the rage then. It was the
old days of Lillie Bridge, where the Amateur Champion-
ships were held annually. These took place the week
after the Oxford and Cambridge Sports and generally
resulted in University candidates carrying off several
events.
These were the days also before the advent of the Amateur
Athletic Association. Although the status of amateur was
clearly defined and the professional debarred from competing
at amateur meetings, still a great deal of betting went on,
with crowds of " bookies " on every course ; while, under
false names and false entries, the " pro " was always
trying it on.
When I got on to the back mark in the 120 yards and the
quarter mile many such gentry were encountered, some of
whom never saw their " number go up," but ran at short-
ened odds as " first past the post."
One " Sheffield handicap " runner, to whom I was con-
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 23
ceding six yards in the 120 and twenty-five yards in the
quarter, at a meeting in Shropshire (attended without my
trainer), waylaid me on the way to the railway station with
two villainous-looking bookies, and treated me to the most
insulting remarks. After a "set to" of three or four
rounds, which it was quite impossible for me to avoid, he
knocked me out badly by a smart left-hander to the
jaw.
In the above races he had repassed me quite easily, just
on the " worsted " itself, in the heats and finals of both
events. His grouse was, that I had objected to him as a
professional, and so the committee had refused him the
first prizes until he proved his status.
As a matter of fact, I had not objected to him at all, but
the third men in the quarter and sprint had objected to
both of us, as professionals ! Having no difficulty in proving
myself an amateur, the two first prizes came to me eventually,
after my friend had failed, within a month, to comply with
the committee's demand.
Harry Ellis was looked upon as very up-to-date in his
methods, eschewing, as he did, the old raw meat theory,
and training his clients according to their temperament,
physique and condition on arrival. For payment of about
two pounds a week, I got his best bedroom and parlour,
his frequent attendance, the use of the running-ground, the
services of two "rubbers-down," and his personal attention
at all races.
There is no doubt he made a bit on me at meetings
later on ; for, walking up the strings for the final of
a sprint, I often heard the hoarse cries of the bookies,
" Two to one bar one," " Two to one bar one ; it's
Woodyatt I bar," and then I knew he and his pals had
been plunging !
Life at this training estabh'shment was very dull for
one's mind \ Once asking an old " has been " in the Militia
how he had felt when he was in good training, he said,
" Splendid, just as if one was on wires." Well, my experi-
ence was exactly the opposite, for I felt deadly slack, and
the slacker I felt the better I ran that day.
There were some queer people under Ellis's charge:
runners, walkers, bicyclists, and even professional fighters.
They came in all sorts of condition, some fairly fit, but
the majority very gross ; the fighters especially so, having
24 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
done nothing but " bust " since their last encounter.
Such men, having come to the end of their ready cash,
had got some rich young Liverpool or Manchester " blood "
to finance them, and put up the money for their next " mill."
Ellis had no compunction about these men. Those who
were fat and lazy he tied to the back of a dog-cart, and
took out for a ten to twenty-mile " trek " every other
day.
One boxer called Jim Crow had an insatiable thirst
which he could never control. Failing any form of alcohol,
water sufficed, but he would have liquid of some sort,
and a great deal of it.
Crow was a good fighter with a substantial backer, and
a big contest had been arranged. It was absolutely essential
he should be got fit, but there was this terrible weakness
to be watched, and dealt with. He used the most appalling
language and remained in a veritable state of gloom when
nothing but his modest glass of beer and a limited amount
of water were to be obtained.
One day Ellis came to me saying he was much concerned
about Crow, because he had been in such a good temper
for a week ; that he must be getting extra liquid somehow ;
that he had started a tremendous craze for shower-baths
at all odd times, and that he (Ellis) was now going to put
a suspicion he had to the test, by filling the shower-bath
reservoir with salt.
That evening a " watcher," looking through a peep-
hole, saw Jim Crow make a cup of his two hands below
the shower-bath preparatory to taking copious draughts,
as had evidently been his recent custom. His face and
language when the briny substance reached his palate were
too much for the watcher, who sank to the floor in an agony
of suppressed laughter. But not so suppressed as to prevent
the irate Jimmy from hearing him. Rushing out stark
naked, he gave the spy such a hammering that he was
soon writhing in another kind of agony.
My own daily routine was :
8 a.m. Breakfast of two lightly poached eggs, two
pieces of toast with very little butter, one
cup of tea.
8.30-9.30 a.m. Lie down for one hour.
9.30 a.m. Out walking, with Ellis beside me on a bicycle.
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 25
Hands up, pace five to six miles an hour,
distance ten miles. Clothes very light.
12.30 p.m. Reach running-ground, rubbed down by two
men, first with rough towel and then by
hand. Run 200 or 300 yards very fast, or
practise twenty or thirty starts from a pistol.
(This was before that splendid position of
'' off the hands " was invented.)
1.30 p.m. Dinner. Mutton chop or beefsteak, or cut off
the joint, with toast, very few vegetables,
and one small glass of beer ; followed by
milk pudding.
2-3 p.m. Lie down again.
3 p.m. Another ten miles as in morning.
5 p.m. Much the same as at 12.30, but varied.
6 p.m. Tea, one boiled egg. Watercress, toast, some
butter with a little jam and two cups of tea.
9 p.m. Oatmeal gruel, and then bed.
Of all the routine, the after-meal " lie down " was the
most hateful. Somehow there was little inclination to
read, and though one was really very tired on going to bed,
it was most difficult to get to sleep. Weighing was a daily
matter viewed with much importance. Ten stone six
pounds was the first record, which after three weeks came
down to nine stone six, then the weight went up until
after six weeks it was eleven stone four. The result of
changing flesh for muscle, so Ellis said.
The last fortnight, the hard work, with little liquid,
affected my kidneys pretty badly, and every night I was
then given a small quantity of gin and water.
The first day I arrived at the running-ground, it was the
case of running a full quarter mile, straight off. In vain
I protested, and in vain I pleaded that I had just completed
the orgy of an annual Militia training ! Ellis insisted that
it was to be done to enable him to gauge my powers, and
not only that, but he was brutal enough to put out a man
about 100 yards from home to what he called " pull
me out."
So I stripped and ran, knowing I should be sick at the
end, which I was, and so painfully, that no sea-sickness
has ever been worse. The time was 58^ seconds, at which,
after such an effort, I was very disgusted, but Ellis seemed
26 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
quite pleased. That I vastly improved in style and pace
at this establishment is proved by a quarter-mile run, after
six weeks' training, at Birkenhead Football or Cricket
Club Sports, when the record would have been beaten
easily had the full 440 yards been completed.
In those days there were two records, one for a cinder
track (49 seconds, I think), of which there were then very
few (though Lillie Bridge had one), and one for performances
on grass (52 seconds). The Birkenhead track was a
grass one. My start was five yards, with Schofield, the
North of England quarter-mile champion, behind me at
scratch.
There were over twenty starters, the limit being thirty-five
yards. The favourite was a Winchester boy who, although
he had just won his school quarter in wonderful time,
had been given the limit of thirty-five yards. A cousin's
wedding three or four days before had called me. There
training was broken and all sorts of forbidden things eaten
and drunk, both at the old-fashioned wedding breakfast,
and for two whole days after it.
With the pistol I went off as usual, as if only running
loo yards, and was most lucky in the way I got through
my men. A lot of them, being green, ran wide, and in
these cases I slipped past on the inside, for " a foot from
the ropes " was my motto, except when passing anyone.
At half distance the whole lot had been collared, except
the Winchester boy, who seemed to me as far away as
ever.
Nearing the " straight " I found he was coming back
very quickly, and half-way past the grand-stand I passed
him, but heard frenzied cries from this stand of " Well
run, Schofield ; well run, Schofield." Naturally I thought
I was being overtaken and, running " all out " to the
worsted, looked round to find that Schofield was catching
the Winchester boy, and that was what the shouting was
all about.
Staggering off to the dressing-tent to lie down on the
clean straw, it soon became evident that there was a great
hubbub going on. Schofield, on coming in, was asked by
someone if he had won, and I heard the reply, " How the
devil could I win with the time over two seconds inside
the record."
This set me thinking, and presently up came one of the
WHY I BECAME A SOLDIER 27
stewards with Walter Platt, of The Field, the official time-
keeper and handicapper. With outstretched hands they
beamed congratulations, which astonished me so, that I
asked, " What f or ? " " You've just done 49! seconds, on
grass, off the five yards mark," said Platt. " I most heartily
congratulate you, and I'm now going to measure the track
with a steep tape."
Unfortunately the length was found to be only 436
yards, or four yards short of the quarter mile. A pity,
but still it was the best race I ever ran. The average
pace for the distance of 431 yards I actually ran was over
8 J yards a second, and so I should have been well within
the record had it been a matter of going nine yards
more.
Running in those days was very exciting, but my father
objected to it strongly and was right in saying that it was
somewhat low, and that he would not continue my allow-
ance if I went on with it. At first no heed was taken,
and Ellis found me plenty of cash by betting at the weekly
meetings.
As a sprinter, however, I was never to be compared
with my brother, H. C. Woody att, of the " United Hos-
pitals " and " London Athletic Club " (now a doctor at
Brockenhurst). " H. C." undoubtedly beat even time for
the 100 yards on more than one occasion ; but official
time-keepers are, rightly, very chary of giving even ten
seconds dead, if there has been the slightest advantage
to the runner, such as a wind behind, a bit gained in the
start, etc.
This brother of mine, during his time in London, won
every challenge cup given for sprinting ; beat the 100
yards amateur champion in a special scratch race at Crewe,
and created an " United Hospitals " record for their 220
yards event (22 and th, or fth seconds), which has not been
equalled yet.
In the early morning, a Sunday, after my scrap, en
route to the station, with the Sheffield handicap runner,
in Shropshire, I arrived home, where I had practically
been forbidden to go. I was in a somewhat knocked-
about condition, and turned up just as my father was start-
ing for early service. He didn't say much though he
looked a good deal the only remark being, " You seem
to have been in the wars ; have you given up running? "
28 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
and when I answered, " Yes," he added, " Then I'm very
glad to see you, and by the same token you'd better
ask cook if she can give you a raw beefsteak for that left
eye." That was the end of my career on the running-
path.
CHAPTER II
THE CALL OF INDIA
IN December, 1880, I was gazetted a second lieutenant
in the ist Royal Cheshire Militia Light Infantry, a
cumbrous title, changed next year to 3rd Battalion
Cheshire Regiment.
We came out annually in Chester, the officers messing
at the Grosvenor Hotel. The training had always to be
arranged so as to close before the Chester Races on the plea
that the town would otherwise be painted red by our
gallant men ! A large majority of these were Irishmen,
with very many old soldiers amongst them. We did a
certain amount of soldiering, but the whole thing was
largely a big social county merrymaking, with enormous
lunches, and cheery guest nights every week.
The Colonel was Tom Cholmondeley, a capital judge of
a horse and a keen rider to hounds. The second-in-command
was France-Hayhurst, of Bostock, and then came Tom
Marshall, of Hartford, one of the keenest non-regular
soldiers that ever stepped. As ardent a Volunteer as he
was a Militiaman, everyone was delighted when in 1906 he
was created a civil K.C.B. Amongst his many accom-
plishments was an expert knowledge of rowing. My
father, who was at Christ Church just before or just after
him, told me of his very peculiar case. Having broken
down in training when bow of the Oxford eight, he was
put in as cox on purpose to keep him in the boat. Then
he became president of the O.U.B.C., an unprecedented
honour for a man who had not actually rowed in the
race.
A. N. Hornby (commonly called " Monkey ") was one
of our company commanders, the darling of his men and
the leader in every kind of frolic. He was then thirty-
five, and the picture of manly strength, health and good
29
30 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
looks. Hunting all the winter and playing cricket all the
summer ought to keep anyone fit ! Captain of England
for cricket and football the same year, he was about the
best-known man in the British Isles, and as popular
in Chester as he was at the Old Trafford, or in Black-
burn.
His father's mills were located at Blackburn, and he
could have been Member for that constituency any day he
liked. When put into the mills after leaving Harrow, he
encouraged cricket amongst the hands to such an extent
during the dinner hour that this period was often pro-
longed to two or even three hours. At last, in despair,
his father gave him 500 a year to keep away !
We were great friends and I often stayed with him at
his first cottage near Nantwich. Soon after joining, on
account of my running reputation, I was put on the battalion
annual sports committee, of which Hornby was president,
and we set out one day to buy the prizes from a Chester
jeweller. " Monkey " was very particular about the cup
for the officers' race, which he informed me he invariably
won. I am not sure he did not pay something extra for
it out of his own pocket. Anyhow, he didn't seem too
pleased when I managed to beat him, though I was nearly
caught myself by a very speedy half-back called Forbes,
of the London Scottish, who had just joined us.
Another skipper was Rhys Jones, who had been in the
Regular Army, but then lived mostly by his wits. One big
guest night, when over sixty were dining, he offered to bet
anyone, or everyone, anything from a fiver to a pony that
he would not "go as you please" seven miles round the
Rhoodee (Chester racecourse, and, I think, one mile round)
next afternoon in an hour. Nearly everyone took him
on, and a lot of money was wagered.
Now almost every man you meet would say he could
" get " seven miles in an hour. It does not sound very
difficult, yet out of about fifty of us only seven managed
to do it. Some began by trotting, then walked, then got
behindhand and lost. Others began by walking hard,
and then got such pains down their shins they couldn't
run. All found, a thing they hadn't thought of, but Jones
had (!), that the grass had not been cut for ages, and was
abnormally long and rank. Those who won trotted all
the way, though some of them very gently.
THE CALL OF INDIA 31
As mentioned in the last chapter, my commission, on
passing into the Army from the Militia, was dated I2th
May, 1883. It was great chagrin to me to be gazetted to
the ist Dorsets at Aldershot, and not to a battalion in
India. Not that I then wanted the Indian Army, but
desired so much to serve in that country. Nor could
I get to the 2nd Dorsets at Peshawar, as there was no
vacancy. In vain I waited nearly six months for one and
then, taking my courage in both hands, went personally
to the War Office. In those days the official to see on such
matters was the military secretary, though I did not think
he was at all likely to consent to see a humble lieutenant
like myself.
In fear and trembling my card was given to the messenger,
and very shortly I was admitted to the Presence. Now,
in those days I had not the faintest conception of what a
military secretary was like. Barring that his name was,
if my memory does not fail me, Lord Edward Seymour,
I was not sure of his rank nor did I know anything about
him.
I had pictured to myself a somewhat brusque, but debonair,
young officer who would hurl curt questions at me, and
probably tell me to go to the devil. Instead of that I
found a most delightful old gentleman in a frock-coat who,
getting up from his revolving chair, shook hands warmly.
Waving me to a seat, he said : "Sit down, sit down, and
tell me what I can do for you."
It only remained for me to explain that I wanted to
transfer to a battalion in India, and suggested the 2nd
Cheshires, as I knew many of the officers.
" Of course, of course," said my friend, " and you have
a claim, having done some years' service in the county
militia, a very strong claim, and we are doing all we can
to encourage the Territorial connection. Let me see"
(consulting the Army List), " I notice that the last joined
subaltern in the 2nd Cheshires is three months junior to
you, and " (looking up at me) " I'm afraid we can't antedate
you, and put you in over his head."
Hastening to explain that it didn't matter in the least,
I deeply wondered, and have wondered ever since, what
he would have said and done if I had insisted on being
put above this officer, for he was such a dear, kind old
gentleman.
32 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
After some talk about India I took my leave, and in
December, 1883, shipped in the troopship Malabar to join
the 2nd Cheshires at Peshawar.
It was when talking of India to this military secretary
that the lamentable ignorance about that country in
England, now acknowledged as a truism, was first brought
home to me. Never having had a relation out there, I
was pretty ignorant myself, but had talked to everyone
available with any knowledge of the subject, and found I
knew a good deal more about it than this War Office
official.
When orders eventually arrived, no one at my home
had any idea whether Peshawar was in Madras, Bombay,
Bengal, or the Punjab. Hearing that a painter working
in the house was an ex-soldier and had been to India,
my mother rushed off to ask him if he had ever been to
Peshawar.
" Oh ! yes, mum, I was there two years," said the painter.
" What sort of a place is it, and is it healthy ? " she asked.
" Well, mum, I don't rightly remember, except that we
was always having so many funerals we christened it the
Valley of Death ! "
In connection with this ignorance an amusing story was
told me by one of my generals, years later, about an incident
at the War Office in the early eighties when holding an
appointment there, obtained in a rather peculiar way, as
follows : In the second Afghan War he had been a field
engineer and accompanied Sir Sam Browne and the Political
Officer when a ford over the Kabul river was reconnoitred
for the passage of the loth Hussars by night (31 March '79).
The spot was selected and this young engineer said he
would get the ford staked. This was not done, however,
as the villagers objected and the general decided it was
unnecessary.
But the sapper was not satisfied. He felt uncomfort-
able, and noting the decision in his pocket-book, gave it
to the general to sign, as he said he would like to feel
exonerated for the neglect of a very obvious duty. Rather
annoyed, Sir S. B. scribbled his signature and the date.
As everyone knows, the loth Hussars lost an officer and
forty-six men crossing this ford. England, being horrified,
rose in her wrath and said, " Who's to blame ? " As a
matter of fact, the ford was all right if correct crossing
THE CALL OF INDIA 33
taken, for some Indian cavalry went over first, and arrived
on the other bank quite safely.
Enquiries were made, and the War Office eventually
got on to the field engineer, who had evidently failed to
carry out a most necessary precaution a precaution,
too, which was not only his particular work to see to, but
moreover is specially referred to in our Regulations.
My friend sat quite tight until the last stage, when he
was told it was proposed to remove him from the service,
and what had he to say ? His reply was to enclose that
invaluable leaf from his pocket-book !
Not only was he not removed, but he was given a good
appointment in Whitehall, and eventually rose to become
Major-General G. E. Sanford, C.B., C.S.I., and to command
the Meerut Division.
His tale about the ignorance relating to India, or rather,
in this case, the assumption by the higher authorities
of the universal existence of such ignorance, was as
follows :
In 1882, after his return from Malta, the late Duke of
Cambridge, as Commander-in-Chief, assembled the War
Office staff, and, after some conversation on various topics,
addressed them, in most ponderous tones, with a very
guttural accent, and a rich rolling of R's :
" Gentlemen, in conclusion, I want to tell you about
Maltar, which I have just visited. I was very glad to see
Maltar, and Maltar was very glad to see me.
" It was a great pleasure to me to see the trrroops, who
were looking very well, and the trrroops had much pleasure
in being inspected by me.
' You doubtless know that I also saw for the first time
some Indian trrroops.
" I saw them all Sikhs, Gurkhas, Punjabis, etc. They
moved well and are fine fellows, very fine fellows, but
black, gentlemen, you know, quite black."
A Devonshire friend of mine in the Indian Civil Service,
and also a volunteer in India, was a very fine rifle shot,
especially with the match rifle. He was shooting at Wimble-
don in the eighties, when word was suddenly sent round
to say the Duke of Cambridge was on the ranges, and would
see all the competitors from India at the flagstaff in half
an hour's time.
My friend, a stalwart Oxonian, struggled into his private's
c
34 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
uniform, and the batch was hastily dressed in line to await
the approaching Duke. It consisted of officers, N.C.O.s
and men, both regulars and volunteers, together with
Indian orderlies, etc., all fallen in anyhow, a motley
crew, for there had been no time to arrange anything in
order.
The Secretary of the Association, meeting the Duke near
the right of the line, was told to explain who each man was.
The Indian Civil Service volunteer, being very tall, was on
the right, and the secretary named him as " Mr. X, 5th
Punj ab Rifles. ' ' " Ah ! " said the Duke, ' ' A Punj abi , I know
the Punjabis, I met them at Maltar, fine fellow, very fine
fellow " ^and passed on !
My only personal experiences of the famous Duke were,
firstly, at a review at Aldershot in 1883, very soon after I
had joined the ist Dorsets ; and, secondly, at Cannes, in
1901, when he was a very bent old man.
At the review, it was my misfortune to be the right guide
of my company on the saluting base (the old drill). I
thought I had gone past quite nicely, but the Colonel
afterwards shattered my self-complacency by rudely enquir-
ing why the blazes I moved my left arm when marching at
attention, and whether I had been taught to do so in the
Militia.
I then remembered that as I squinted to my right and
viewed an enormous figure in a blue frock-coat with very
large and high patent-leather boots and ample bosom
covered with Orders, I had, at the same time, heard a loud
voice calling out : " Who the devil is that officer swinging
his left arm, who's that swinging his arm ? "
7, then, had been the delinquent ! It quite spoilt my
afternoon as I sculled in gloomy silence up the Aldershot
canal. In after-years it came home to me that I was only
really a bit ahead of my time, for are we not now carefully
enjoined in " Ceremonial " to swing the disengaged arm,
when marching past, as at all other times ?
I did not care for Aldershot in the summer. Having
always been a rowing man, the excellent cricket was no
use to me. Polo I could not afford, and that canal is a dull
place to boat on.
It is a far cry to the old troopships, Euphrates, Crocodile,
Malabar and Serapis, conveying troops to the East. They
were commanded and officered by the Royal Navy, a duty
THE CALL OF INDIA 35
naval officers were said to loathe as being not only very
irksome, but derogatory to their dignity.
My first experience, getting on board H.M.S. Malabar
at Portsmouth during a cold evening in early December,
1883 (and accompanied by a prize-bred bulldog called
" Muggins "), was rather an awkward one. Standing in my
wake at the gangway was an offensive-looking person with
a letter addressed to me. He turned out to be a representa-
tive from my tailor, hanging round to make me pay for my
last suit of dittoes.
This was an unfriendly act I much resented, having just
paid a very substantial bill for every mortal thing up to
that one suit. Sarcastic enquiries as to whether the firm's
prices justified the assumption that they did business for
cash only, simply elicited the reply that " it was extremely
difficult to get money out of gentlemen in India ! " As the
man kept following me about and was a perfect nuisance
regarding his six guineas, the only thing to do was to get
into uniform, and ask the ship's adjutant to put me on
duty. It was then a simple task to order him off the boat ;
which I did promptly.
We subalterns were herded together at the bottom of the
ship, aft, in a large space called the " Pandemonium,"
and not badly named at that in this particular instance.
That is to say, although we were a merry crowd, we were
certainly a lot of demons in our craze for mischief, and in
our treatment of the officers of slightly higher rank who
occupied thinly partitioned cabins, named horse-boxes,
just above us. Pillow fights with them, or between ourselves,
were of nightly occurrence. Then the purser, or his satellites,
most inconsiderately refusing to renew our burst ones, we
had perforce to refrain, and the majority of us found only
greatcoats under our heads at night for the rest of the
voyage.
We were, of course, always in uniform, with dinner in
mess dress. In addition to the field officer and orderly
officer of the day, there was a subaltern on duty for every
watch, who, to his intense disgust, had to go and salute,
on the bridge, a naval officer years younger than himself,
and report " coming on duty."
For days, the main attraction at dinner was sampling
the various continental wines, of which there was an
enormous assortment, being tempted thereto by the
36 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
ridiculously low prices after the land charges we had been
accustomed to.
Lieut .-Colonel F. C. Keyser of the Royal Fusiliers, a pioneer
of the signal service and well known for years after his retire-
ment as a zealous devotee of the English Turf, was Officer
commanding Troops. So interested was he in all happenings
on board, that he started a ship's newspaper called The
Malabar, which teemed with wit and humour. How it
was printed, I don't know ; anyhow, it was not only
printed, but illustrated with excellent caricatures (by
Lovett of the Gloucesters) of all the celebrities on board,
including " Muggins."
The latter, however, soon got into dire disgrace. There
were some calves on board for Christmas veal, and one
being led past Muggins, who was rather irritable with his
enforced confinement, he fastened on to its muzzle. A dis-
lodgment could only be made by means of an iron crowbar,
which strained his jaws badly for many weeks to come.
The naval officers were very fond of a mild gamble, and
every night after dinner some ten of us sat down to Nap,
Loo, Van John, or Poker. Colonel Keyser occasionally
looked on, and one evening was present when the writer
was initiating the company into the mysteries of a very
gambling but extremely simple and foolish game learnt in
Liverpool, called " Yankee Sam." This was not quite to
the colonel's taste and he disappeared quickly, but his
only remark was : " I'm d d if you are not the most
versatile young gamblers I ever met."
Shortly before this voyage there had been a rumpus
at the Malta United Service Club, caused by the rowdiness
of a trooper's contingent. The old privilege of being
honorary members during a troopship's stay in port had
been withdrawn for some months. Colonel Keyser knew
Malta well, and was most popular there. As soon as we got
into harbour he began to signal, asking that we might be
allowed to use the club, and he would be responsible.
His request being granted, we were all solemnly warned
that we must be extremely careful in our conduct. So
serious was the situation held to be that at dinner when,
someone saying something extremely funny, I burst into
laughter, an emissary came at once from the O.C. at the
top of the table to warn me that no boisterous laughter
was permitted !
THE CALL OF INDIA 37
The men were very badly accommodated indeed on
these troopships. They were dreadfully overcrowded, and
no one seemed then to think of doing anything for their
amusement. As " officer of the watch " one had to go
round the whole ship, and the smell was so nauseating in
the men's quarters that in quite calm weather many of
us were violently sick. What it must have been like
when nearing the East in September, or March, passes all
imagination, for no troops were allowed on deck at
night.
Besides the parades by sectional commanders, we had
alarm rehearsals almost daily, and fell in, equipped with
life-belts, opposite the boats allotted. It was understood
there were rafts somewhere ; but, although with practice
the rehearsal alarms were splendidly performed, it always
worried us as to how each boat could possibly carry the
number of persons detailed for it.
53530
CHAPTER III
INDIA IN THE EIGHTIES
ATER about a month's voyage the old Malabar
rolled into Bombay Harbour, and next day we
were all free to disperse to our respective desti-
nations. Many of us now became victims of
that ignorance about India to which a reference has been
made before. In the old days the whole of India was
looked upon by inexperienced people at home as being
intensely hot at all times. Now, on the contrary, visitors
are enjoined to take exactly the same clothes they would
wear in England, with bedding and linen in addition.
This is quite correct, for they may find themselves in the
hills at any time, where all would be wearable, as they
would be also in the cold weather of the Punjab and else-
where. Really thin clothes, as necessary in the hot weather
(and in places like Bombay, Madras and Calcutta, at all
times), can be obtained easily and expeditiously on the
spot.
Some of us were for the Punjab myself for Peshawar
and it was the middle of January. A good adjutant
would probably have warned his officers that sheets,
blankets, pillows, etc., as well as a valise, were very neces-
sary adjuncts to one's kit ; that railways, hotels and dak
bungalows x did not supply them ; and that Peshawar was
extremely cold in the winter. Anyhow, I got no hints at
all, and with the exception of a rug had no bedding. A
pillow, as described in my account of the " Pandemonium,"
I had learnt to dispense with. But the cold that first night
in the train was so intense that a long stoppage next
morning was utilised to rush into a native Bazaar and
purchase two Indian pillows and a couple of rezais (species
of wadded quilt). For months my bedding consisted of
1 Rest-houses.
38
INDIA IN THE EIGHTIES 39
these only. It never struck me to get sheets and pillow-
cases until happening, more than a year afterwards, to stay
with some newly-made friends in their charming Simla
home, my hostess made me feel entirely ashamed by
explaining what a dirty person I had been !
At Ambala a halt was made at the one existing hotel,
very different from the modern ones to be found at the
present day in many parts of India. It had, however, one
compensating advantage, the charge was only five rupees
a day, or about one-third of the present rates. Still, for
the sake of health, cleanliness and comfort a great debt of
gratitude is owed to the late Mr. Wiitzler. It was he who
became the pioneer of improved hotel management and
catering hi India by establishing his celebrated Charleville
Hotel in Mussoorie.
About dawn the second morning after leaving Ambala,
Peshawar was reached, intensely cold, but looking green
and fresh with delightful flower-beds all down the Mall.
Driving from the station a few British soldiers were seen
wearing over their uniform, not the celebrated " British
warm," but a pink double-breasted wadded pea-jacket,
which looked most strange. I learnt afterwards that no
British soldier in Peshawar was ever allowed out without
this garment in the winter between Retreat, at sunset, and
nine o'clock in the morning.
I liked the look of Peshawar and was very sorry to hear,
on arrival, that my stay would be extremely short, as the
battalion was leaving on the ist February for Ambala.
Anyhow it was a novelty to look forward to, as the relief
was to be carried out by route-march. This meant a
matter of forty-four stages, a total distance of 470 miles,
covering a period of about seven weeks.
Meanwhile getting out my scatter-gun, I haunted the
Artillery jheel, 1 frequently in the company of Jack Ramsay
of the Cheshires, afterwards Sir John Ramsay, Agent to the
Governor-General in Baluchistan. He was even then a very
fair shot, while my average for a snipe must have been
about fifteen to twenty cartridges.
Colonel H. C. Patton commanded the 2nd Cheshires,
and a better C.O. never walked, though he would have
owned to some prejudices and a few fads. He was a strict
disciplinarian, a very good drill, and most keen on cleanliness
1 A swamp in India.
40 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
and sanitation. Especially was this the case as regards
the barracks and married quarters ; whereby he proved
himself a good deal ahead of his time. His weekly in-
spection of the quarters of our married people, invari-
ably carried out at odd times and with little warning,
was a matter of great ceremony and often of much tribu-
lation.
The first time my duty, as orderly officer of the day, gave
me the privilege of joining the solemn cortege of second-
in-command, adjutant, quarter-master, sergeant-major,
etc., which accompanied the colonel on his rounds, an
amusing thing happened. It was when we were walking
through the quarters of a certain sergeant's wife, well known
for her ready tongue and contempt of authority. The
C.O. had long held the firm belief that at these inspections,
rooms having been tidied in a hurried and perfunctory
manner, all olla podrida such as dirty clothes, soiled linen,
slippers, etc., were tumbled into the bed and the quilt neatly
drawn over them. Rather distrusting this Mrs. Sergeant,
and disliking her for numerous cases of impudence, in
which he had often come off second best, the colonel pulled
down the quilt of the large double bed with a jerk. There
was nothing there, but the lady, with a loud sniff and in
front of us all, snapped out :
" P'raps you'd like to get into it next."
In these days it is much cheaper and more convenient
to rail troops than to march them, but in former times it
was almost the invariable custom for reliefs to be carried
out by road, both to harden the men and to show them
to the inhabitants.
In 1884, the 2nd Cheshires, having been over fifteen years
in India, had a very large number of old soldiers in the
ranks who knew their way about, were as hard as nails
and took everything as it came along in the j oiliest kind
of spirit. I was astonished to find so many officers, for we
started on our long march with not less than thirty, many
of whom had been in India some years. The colonel was
new to the country, and a good deal in the hands of the
quarter-master in all matters of interior economy.
The latter was a very knowing old bird and frequently
asked me, on a guest night, after a generous share of wine,
who I thought commanded the battalion ? I maintained
a discreet silence. He would then hiccough out :
" Why, the quarter-master, of course. 'Ow can the
colonel move without me, 'ow can 'e send away heven 'arf
a company, 'ow can 'e horder a single round on the range,
without coming to me ? "
One night, being more confidential than usual, he informed
me that a quarter-master's post was a very lucrative one,
in something like the following words :
" 'Ow do I carry on, you say, with a wife and seven
childer, a hay-one bungaler, two ponies and a buggee ?
'Oo der yer think pays the bungaler rent me ? Not much.
Why, the punkah-coolie contractor does that, as well as
supplying a cook, kitmatgar (table servant), bearer (body
servant), bhistie (water carrier), sweeper (low-caste menial),
ayah (woman servant), together with a mali (gardener)
and two coolies for the gardin. Bread ? 'Oo supplies
that, you say ? Why, the ruti-wallah * ; meat, the butcha ;
ponies' gram 2 and grass, the coffee-shop wallah, together
with vegetables, flour, sugar, and all the mem-sahib wants
for the 'ouse thrown in. No, Wudyet, I 'as to keep my
pay for the childer. My four sons 'as to git into the Ryle
Ingineers or the Church, for John is to go to Hoxford ! "
Most of which duly came off !
He was an excellent quarter-master for all that, both in
barracks and in camp. The Cheshires never lacked for
anything, everything was up to time, while his stores
and accounts were models of neatness, accuracy and
care.
In his cups he loved to be asked to sing. He had only
one song, which had only four lines ; and after thirty-
seven years I can still bring to mind his great shining bald
head and his jovial red face as he stood up and bawled
out :
The Duke of York and 'e
'Ad ten thousand min.
'E took them up a 'ill
And brought 'em down agin.
Repeated ad infinitum.
Our transport train was of enormous length, and consisted
of elephants, camels and hired country carts. The men
1 Really roti (bread) wallah, the last word denoting trade, pro-
fession or occupation.
* Grain for horses.
42 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
had what were called E.P. (European Privates) tents,
sixteen men to a tent, with an allowance of six tents
to each of the eight companies. An elephant carried
one E.P., which weighed ten maunds (over 7 cwt.), and
was never asked to carry anything else, because it was
a doctrine that ordinary baggage was derogatory to his
dignity.
On the second morning I happened to be orderly officer
and, having to rise very early to inspect rations, I shall
never forget the beauty of the camp as the sun rose and
threw its rays across the green sward of this halting-stage
named Pabbi. At the back was the large tent of the officers'
mess with the colonel's Swiss cottage and neat Union Jack
on one side, and the second-in-command's on the other,
while other senior officers continued the line right and left.
Behind were the servants' " pals," and behind them again
all chargers, hacks, polo ponies and a small bazaar ; lastly
the rear guard.
The tents were beautifully pitched according to plan
with every row of pegs in line and every corner a right
angle. The colonel was dreadfully particular about this,
and would have had even the huge mess tent down at once
if improperly put up. But officers and men all knew this,
and the latter, as I've said, were mostly old stagers, so there
was no trouble. All the Government tents happened to
be a new issue, being the Peshawar allotment of those
manufactured to make good the losses of the second Afghan
War. As the mess, and most of those of officers, were
recent purchases, the camp looked delightfully white, and
spick and span.
On one flank was assembled the heterogeneous transport,
at this hour quite still, except the attendants. On the
other, and some little further away, was a picturesque
mass of brightly coloured bell-shaped tents, some blue,
some pink, some red, some green, many striped in two or
three colours and all, at this time, tightly closed. The even-
ing before, this camp had puzzled me greatly, until my
friend the quarter-master explained that it was the regi-
mental establishment of native women who were marching
with us to Ambala !
Shades of Exeter Hall ! What would be said of such
a practice in these days ! Fortunately for me I am not
called upon to uphold or condemn the policy which prompted
INDIA IN THE EIGHTIES 43
the existence of these establishments, and permitted their
presence even in camp. I may add, however, that there
was very little venereal indeed in the 2nd Cheshires. Also
that, from direct knowledge, I can give testimony to the
truly awful results which followed the abolition of these
regimental establishments a few years later.
Such gaily coloured tents were, perhaps, a mistake, as
was brought home to some of us at a halt when the second-
in-command brought over his wife and some ladies to tea.
It was then that a voluble spinster persistently enquired
from a particularly modest subaltern : " But who lives
in those charming little coloured tents ? " !
When we got to the Beas river there was no road bridge,
so we had to halt on the near bank. The next day the
transport and baggage passed over the railway bridge,
the battalion marching across it the day after. But the
elephants had to swim the river, and it was amusing to
watch them, for it is no joke for the mahouts at all.
An elephant, in deep water, may take it into his head to dive,
and stay below a bit, with only the tip of his trunk
showing !
At Lahore we were camped near the historical Shalamar
Gardens, and the next day being a halt, I tried to add to
my stud by the addition of a decent polo pony, the maximum
height being then 13-2. A waler (Australian bred) was
then unknown on the polo ground, and even an Arab,
as far north as Peshawar, was quite a novelty. When
young George Wombell, of the 6oth Rifles, brought one
up from Bombay during my next sojourn there, some two
and a half years later, we used to form parties to go and
look at it ! Lahore was a little dearer than Peshawar,
where the average price for a likely country-bred was
about one hundred and fifty rupees. I remember get-
ting into terribly hot water in the mess because I paid
Rs. 250 at the latter station in 1886 for something extra
special.
Knowing nothing of the language there was a good deal
of difficulty in bargaining at Lahore, but eventually a
deal over a certain bay seemed settled, when on paying
out the money (Rs. 125) it was evident there had been con-
fusion between pdchees (Rs. 25) and pdchdss (50). Insisting
on the former, the argument got so heated that the dealer
went off in a huff. For the rest of the day the merits of
44 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
that bay kept coming to mind, until after dinner the yearn-
ing being so strong I set off alone to the city in a ticca gharry l
to try and come to terms.
Arriving in the main serai about u p.m., my friend was
soon found squatting with his syces in front of a row of
some twenty ponies ; but, alas ! the bay had been disposed
of already. The dealer tried to comfort me by the assurance
that he would bring something even better to meet me at
Ambala. He was as good as his word, for there a well-
bred looking chestnut mare, capable of even time for four
furlongs, became my property in exchange for two hundred
rupees. It has been a matter of wonderment to me since,
that no thought of any danger or unpleasantness in chatting
at midnight in the main serai of Lahore City ever occurred
to me then. Where ignorance is bliss !
We knew that a month or two after reaching Ambala,
four companies and battalion head-quarters were to move
on to the little hill station of Solon, thirty-one miles short
of Simla. I was delighted to know, however, that my
company was to remain down, for with my two quads
I was much looking forward to commencing polo, and
playing hard all the hot weather. Imagine then my dis-
may and disgust when the adjutant came to tell me
that I had been transferred to B Company and was for
Solon.
Demanding to see the colonel, I told him, almost with
tears, about my purchases, how my own company was
remaining down, etc., etc., and begged to be allowed to
remain. He only laughed at me, remarking that, knowing
my people, he was not going to be blamed later if I lost
the pink out of my cheeks ! Pink out of my cheeks, for-
sooth ; I might have been a girl. However, he was adamant,
and I had to console myself with the thought that I'd
get the ponies into good fettle by trotting along the cart
road, and perhaps there might be a chance of Ambala
later on. Little did I realise what a damnably monotonous
business is " posting " on a pony along a curly tonga
road.
Among other units at Ambala we found the gth Lancers
and the gth Bengal Lancers, the former commanded by
Colonel (now General Sir Henry) Bushman, and the latter
by Colonel Power Palmer, commonly known as " Long P."
1 Horrible shaky four-wheeler cab.
INDIA IN THE EIGHTIES 45
The latter was afterwards Commander-in-Chief in India
before Lord Kitchener. The former I see frequently
at our club, looking wonderfully young and robust.
He often reminds me of the fact that although he once
sold me a horse at Ambala, we are still on speaking
terms !
My chestnut mare proving pretty fast was put into training,
and I received a lot of information from the gth Lancers,
especially from " Jabber " Chisholm, who was then adjutant,
regarding the mysteries of the Indian Turf. The leading
gentlemen riders were then Lord William Beresford, the
Viceroy's military secretary, Frank Johnston, late of loth
Hussars, and Bertie Short, an ex-police superintendent,
all three bold and fearless horsemen.
The night before each day's racing, " lotteries " took
place, and a word about this method of gambling, now
abandoned, may not be out of place. This system of
gambling is quite unique, so far as I know, and is called
" the double lottery." You needed to watch this name
to prevent getting let in, for every bid you made at the
auction meant double the amount named.
Lottery meetings used to be run somewhat as follows :
The owners and punters having assembled after dinner,
before the day's racing concerned, a prominent racing man
was usually nominated to the chair with the race secretary
beside him. The lottery was then filled, that is, a hundred
tickets were usually sold at a price varying, at different
meetings, from four to ten rupees a ticket.
The president, or race secretary, would call out, " Now
then, gentlemen, fill the lottery."
If you were keen on a particular number, you tried to
secure it, but one generally tossed for four or more tickets
with dice. The loser paid for the tickets, but both equally
shared the profits. Each punter usually kept a tally on
forms provided by the race secretary, and placed all round
the table. The race secretary, of course, kept the official
record of all transactions and you had to call out to him
the result of the tossings. For instance, I would toss Bill
Beresford for ten tickets (that's nothing for an impecunious
subaltern !) and, losing, would call out, " Woodyatt to
Beresford, ten, numbers 24 to 33." Putting my name first
meant I had lost, and would have to pay eventually, but
we both shared profits equally.
46 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
When the lottery was full, the horses were drawn by
putting their names in one hat, and the ticket numbers
in another. We generally used gun wads, and the
people drawing called out the ticket number, and then
the name of the horse, both of which were at once
recorded.
Then came the compulsory sale of horses. Supposing
tickets had been ten rupees each, the chairman would
call out : "A thousand rupees in the lottery and ' Pretty
Polly ' for sale."
Then you bid away so long as you had taken a ticket,
and it was an ordinary auction with the peculiarity that,
if your bid were successful, you had to pay the amount
(that is were debited for it) twice over, namely, once to
the lottery fund and once to the drawer of the ticket. The
owner had a right of claiming half so long as he did so on
the spot. That is to say, he got a half share of the purchase,
and had of course to take a proportionate share of any
profit or loss.
Several times when I had bid up higher than I meant to,
and been successful in my last bid, I remember with what
relief I heard the cry : " Owner half ! "
At times one got splendid odds. Once at Simla I had
the chance of winning over 150 on one race, and couldn't
lose more than 5. Naturally I lost the fiver ! One
disadvantage of the system was that you did not know
what the odds were until all the horses were auctioned.
Anyhow, you got it then by putting the price of all the
tickets sold to the auction total, and deducting the double
price of the horse about which you wanted the odds.
There would also be the lottery percentage, which goes
to the race fund, to deduct. It used to be five per
cent.
With no knowledge whatever of racing, everything was
new to me, and the rather strange things that happened
seemed very peculiar !
Bill (Lord William) Beresford wielded an enormous
influence on the Indian Turf. Possessed of a very charming
personality, he was a universal favourite in spite of a very
rough tongue when his somewhat hasty temper was roused.
Personally I always found him most helpful and kind, but
if a man got the wrong side of him he could be extremely
nasty. The arbitrary way in which he ruled the roost at
INDIA IN THE EIGHTIES 47
lotteries, when he always took the chair, was very astound-
ing. Some plunger bidding up a pony whose chances Bill
himself wanted to secure, would be asked sarcastically if he
wanted to buy the pony outright. If a young speculator,
he would then probably dry up altogether.
Ambala was then the Aintree of India, with fences like
fortifications. The first chase I saw rather astonished me
as I stood next Jabber Chisholm, with glasses glued to eye,
on the lower steps of the Grand Stand. There were about
seven starters, and when the field had covered about half
distance, and were on the farther side of the course opposite
the Grand Stand, there were only three in it. These were
horses ridden by, let us say, A, B, and C. A and B were
leading nearly abreast. C was about three lengths behind.
At this stage I could see with my glasses that A and B
were having an animated conversation. Eagerly calling
Chisholm's attention to so strange a proceeding, he merely
remarked, quite unperturbed :
" Of course they are, it's blue ruin to either of the three
to win, and they are discussing what sort of ramp they can
put up. Very interesting indeed, very interesting." I
gasped, but it was too exciting to say more.
On rounding the bend into the straight, A ran out into the
paddock. B and C took the last fence together and B
deliberately threw himself off. Now, I thought, what the
devil will C do, for even I knew that he was desperately
hard up, and there wasn't another horse within two furlongs
of him, while his own mount was full of running. Down
the straight he sailed no occasion for glasses any longer,
but what on earth is he doing ? Is he trying to unfasten
his girths ? No, he was only busily engaged in throwing
away his weights !
Frank Johnston was a smart-looking fellow with a very
fine tenor voice and with command of about the best voca-
bulary of Billingsgate imaginable. After singing " Come
into the garden, Maud," with a pathos which brought tears
to one's eyes, he would, without a moment's hesitation,
launch out into the most blasphemous abuse of the native
servant because of the weakness of his brandy and
soda !
Poor fellow, I last saw him, some ten years later, doing
superintendent to a small agency that ran pony tongas from
a railway terminus to a hill station. Very ill and worn-out
48 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
he looked, but as debonair as ever and wearing a loth Hussar
tie. He died shortly afterwards.
Bertie Short went to Bihar, where he soon gave up
riding, became correspondent for the Planters' Gazette,
and lived no one quite knew how. I refer to him again
later on.
CHAPTER IV
THE DUFFERINS AT SIMLA
SOLON was dull very dull especially as my sporting
friend Major Sheringham had gone off on six
months' shooting leave. Some two months later
I was allowed to follow him, and meanwhile Simla
itself was to be avoided as the centre of poodle-faking
which was abhorrent to me. Nothing would have made
me willingly go near it. Imagine then my horror when I
was ordered up, with a field officer and a captain, to represent
the battalion at the 24th of May (Queen's birthday) levee
and birthday ball.
It was there I met my first Viceroy, Lord Ripon. My
recollections of him are a stout little man with a beard
and eyeglass ; who, after the levee, moved freely amongst
his guests at Peterhoff l whilst they consumed, myself
included, large quantities of champagne, quail-in-aspic,
pate-de-foie-gras, etc. He did not seem very popular, and
I have some sort of vague recollection of the dislike we had
for him and Sir Courtney Ilbert, 2 his Legal Member of
Council, for trying to pass a measure called " The Ilbert
Bill." 3
1 Formerly the Simla residence of the Viceroy before the present
Viceregal Lodge was built, and now allotted to the Legal Member
of Council.
* Afterwards Clerk of House of Commons, 1902-20.
3 To amend the code of criminal procedure 1882, and named after
the Member who introduced it. It proposed to remove the bar by
which native magistrates were precluded from exercising jurisdiction
over European British subjects.
The matter is of peculiar interest at the present moment, because
it undoubtedly started that racial antagonism which is so dangerous
a feature of to-day. Indeed, the bill created such a ferment, especi-
ally in the East of India amongst the planters on one side and the
49 D
50 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
So strong was the feeling over this that the wilder spirits
among the indigo planters of Bihar had decided, so rumour
had it, to try and kidnap the Viceroy and convey him out
to sea in the vicinity of the Andamans until he saw the
error of his ways.
However, he and Lady Ripon were very munificent
hosts. With plenty of money at their disposal, they set
an example of lavish entertainment which was somewhat
hard on their successors, blessed with very much less
adequate means. In those days the Governor-General,
Governors, and even Lieutenant-Governors, held levees in
the name of the Queen with very much the same ceremonial,
even to the consecutive pens, or barriers, as at St. James's
Palace. Bill Beresford, acting as Lord Chamberlain, read
out the name of each person as he came up and before he
made his bow.
Putting up at an hotel and dining there, I remember
being extremely uncomfortable at the function, for the
only conveyance of any kind I could get to take me to
Peterhoff was a palanquin. This is a kind of bed with
prolonged poles carried by four men who shook me up and
down in the most unmerciful fashion as they shuffled along.
The next summer I was participating again at another
Simla levee and birthday ball. This time the visit was
spent in a nice house, was responsible for a change of
opinion as regards the attractions of the place, and finally
resulted, two years later, in my marriage to the eldest
daughter of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue.
Lord Dufferin was the new Viceroy my second and
combining, as he did, a charming personality, mature
judgment and a kind heart with the manner of a grand
seigneur, was one of the best of Governors-General. He
appeared really to like doing nice things, and many such
acts are easily recalled.
To the writer he was always particularly kind. The day
Bengalis on the other, as entirely to destroy the mutual trust and
cordiality which had been gradually built up since the Mutiny.
It was referred to local administrations for their views, and its
utility is best summed up by the terse endorsement written by a dis-
trict officer in Madras : " Probably quite innocuous, but at any
rate entirely unnecessary." A compromise was eventually reached
by which European British subjects could claim trial by a jury,
at least half the members of which were to be Europeans. This
is the law in India to-day.
THE DUFFERINS AT SIMLA 51
after my engagement was announced, we happened to go
to a small dance at Peterhoff. Lord Dufferin spotted us
in the Lancers and, leaving his partner, walked across the
room to shake hands and make his congratulations. Now
subalterns like that kind of thing from a Viceroy.
On another occasion when Horace Hayes, the horse
trainer and vet., was giving an exhibition of horse taming
at Anandale, 1 I took a long walk, not caring to pay a gold
mohr (sixteen rupees) to see it. Below the present Vice-
regal Lodge I met the Viceroy walking with his Persian
instructor, who always accompanied him. " Hullo," he
said, " why not at Anandale ? " Telling him I thought
sixteen rupees was a great deal too much to pay for a show
I could see any day in a remount depot for nothing, he
took me by the arm and said I was to go with him. Very
interesting it proved to be, for during the walk down he
told me all sorts of stories about other countries, and at
the exhibition displayed a knowledge of horses I had not
dreamt he possessed.
He could be quite acid, though, when necessary. I was
near once when a lady said to him she had been walking
over the new Viceregal Lodge that afternoon, which she
described as " the new palace you are building." " Palace,"
said Lord Dufferin, "it is only a modest house that any
country squire might aspire to."
At a fancy dress ball there, given as a house warmer, we
were received by His Excellency and Lady Dufferin, the
Viceroy wearing ordinary dress clothes, with Orders and his
G.C.S.I. sash. About half-way through, I was dancing
with a Mrs. Langtry (wife of the C.O. of the 8th Hussars),
who was looking particularly well that night. At the end
of the music and as we were walking away, up came an
Arab and began to talk.
" Oh ! Come along, never mind that old Arab," I said
rather irritably. "He's thinking of ' Lillie Langtry,' his
donkey at Port Said."
As she didn't budge, though still holding my arm, but
seemed embarrassed, I looked more closely at the intruder,
and recognised Lord Dufferin ! There was nothing for it
but to leave them to proceed to my " Kali jagah " (dark,
1 A recreation ground, formed by cutting away the hillside, and
situated below the residential part of Simla. Much enlarged in later
years, mainly by the energy and zeal of Lord William Beresford.
52 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
sitting-out place !) together, while I took solace in a drink !
There is no doubt His Excellency was a great ladies'
man. A good tale is told of how, assembling his personal
staff soon after his first arrival in India, he explained his
wishes regarding ceremonial functions and the attention
necessary to all guests at Government House. " I want
you to quite understand," he said, " that I expect you to
devote your energies to the elderly ladies. You need not
trouble about the young and pretty ones, I will look after
them myself ! "
For some years the Dufferins had a cousin, Miss Thynne,
out in India with them, and in the chronicles of their move-
ments one always read in the papers : " His Excellency
the Viceroy, with Lady Dufferin and the Honourable Miss
Thynne, and attended by, etc., etc." Lady Dufferin rode
a mule at Simla, as being safer, and this was stabled at
Viceregal Lodge. The mule, a very big and specially
selected one, was provided by a mountain battery at Jutogh,
four miles from Simla, and the men there, on account of
its employment, had christened it " The Begum." At
the end of the season two gunners, sitting one day on a wall
just outside the Cantonment of Jutogh, saw the mule being
led back to the battery and in very bad condition. Said
No. i:
" I say, Bill, 'ere's ' The Begum ' coming back."
" ' Begum/ you say," remarked No. 2, "I should call
it the honourable Miss Thin ! "
Lady Dufferin caused it to be announced that it was
quite impossible for her to get to know people if they simply
wrote their names in the Viceregal books and then ran
away. Further, that she, with Lady Helen Blackwood,
would be At Home from twelve to two twice a week, and that
callers were expected to come inside. This meant a morn-
ing-coat for us, besides a terrifying ten minutes in a
drawing-room, and great was the tribulation.
However, it had to be done, and punctually at noon the
next Tuesday I entered the portals. But there was
nothing terrifying at all. Happening to hit off a shooting
trip I had made in the Himalayas the year before, my ten
minutes lengthened into twenty, and it was only the arrival
of a whole batch of people which stopped my tongue. After
that I always seemed to be quite at home at Peterhoff and
thoroughly enjoyed going there, which was very often.
THE DUFFERINS AT SIMLA 53
Many short visits were paid to Simla that season. One
morning, asking for leave to " sleep out " and return next
day, which was Thursday and in India a dies non, the
adjutant told me I couldn't go at all as the colonel had
decided I was not to be allowed to visit Simla any more.
Utterly mystified, I asked why, and then discovered that
the C.O. thought I was getting what he called " entangled,"
and would probably become engaged to be married and
then want to go to the " Indian Staff Corps." This was a
very sore point with, and anathema to, all commanding
officers of British units.
I had not up to then contemplated such a thing, but in
those days the only way to enter the Indian Army, then
called " Indian Staff Corps," was through the British
Service, under certain conditions. This was very hard
on British units. Not only did they lose a number of their
best officers, attracted by the glamour of an Indian career,
but they frequently lost several at one and the same time,
rendering the duties of those who remained very heavy
until they could be replaced. This was often a matter of
many months.
This refusal of sleeping-out leave was extremely awkward,
as I was engaged for a lot of dances that night and had made
all arrangements to go, including the deposit of my dress
clothes, etc., at the Simla United Service Club.
But how was it to be done ? The colonel might send
for me, and he never went out until 4 p.m. He then invari-
ably drove up the cart road away from the Simla direction,
which was an advantage. The Government tonga was not
allowed to start from Solon after 4 p.m. on account of
arriving in the dark. Finally, I had no leave to be absent
for a night !
At breakfast a brilliant thought struck me. I had two
ponies and the adjutant one. He was a good fellow and a
great friend ; so, asking the loan of his pony for the evening,
I sent off one of mine immediately to a stage nine miles
away and the other to within ten miles of Simla, arranging
to ride the adjutant's for the first twelve-mile portion. By
this means I rode the thirty-one miles to Simla, attended
the dance, and rode back in the very early morning in time
for breakfast.
This I did nine times during that summer, but had to
give it up in the monsoon season, for my last ride was a
54 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
dreadful nightmare. Leaving the dance about 3 a.m. in a
torrential downpour, I changed at the club and started an
hour later, knowing that I must be at orderly room in khaki
uniform before nine. The night was pitch dark and the
rain so heavy that, having with difficulty manoeuvred the
Combermere Bridge below the club, I knocked up a small
tailor's shop, opposite Hamilton's, the jewellers, to borrow
a piece of tarpaulin to tie over my knees. The act of
dismounting, of course, soaked my saddle through and
through, which did not add to my comfort.
There were some oil lamps burning dimly near the post
office, but past Army Head-quarters it was very dark and,
moreover, my pony, hating the journey, stopped and reared
at every cross-road. Down to the left below Gordon Castle
I could see absolutely nothing. My mount, not being out
to help me at all, made matters very difficult. It was only
by reaching out with my crop to hit the railings on the left
and kicking out my foot continually to feel for the wall
on the right, that it was possible to tell at all how one was
progressing.
Solon was eventually reached at 8.30 a.m. and I was saved.
Of course everyone but the colonel knew all about it. At
least I thought he was in ignorance, until seeing him at
Lymington twenty-four years later he told me, roaring
with laughter, that he also knew ! Simla was much amused.
Lord Dufferin, when the dance or entertainment was at
Peterhoff, invariably came up and, with his head on one
side and a merry twinkle in his eye, would say :
" I trust the cart road is in good order, Woodyatt ! "
At this time I met my first Commander-in-Chief, in the
person of Sir Donald Stewart, and a more magnificent
man I had never seen. Someone told me it was the correct
thing to give him a bow at levees after passing the Viceroy,
and there was certainly no difficulty in spotting him, for he
was head and shoulders above everyone else. His family,
too, inherited his good looks, his four daughters, Mrs.
Davis, Mrs. Eustace, May and Norah Stewart, being quite
the belles of Simla at a time when beautiful women there
were very plentiful.
A great celebrity also in the Summer Capital then was
Major Dalbiac, commanding a horse battery at Ambala
and commonly called " The Treasure." To a neat and
handsome person was added a firm seat in the saddle, a
THE DUFFERINS AT SIMLA 55
matchless effrontery, a marvellous capacity for making
love, and some system for obtaining unlimited leave which
was the bewilderment of the authorities and the envy of
all his contemporaries !
At the end of July, finding I could get two or three months'
leave, which I fondly hoped to spend in Simla, I approached
the adjutant with my leave form. Looking it through, he
explained that it was utter waste of time putting Simla in
the application at all, as there was not the least chance of it
being passed by the colonel !
Being also very keen to get down to Sitamarhi, in Bihar,
to stay with an old school pal, my destination was altered
accordingly. I begged, however, I might first go to Simla
for a short time to collect my clothes, raise the wind for
my journey, etc. I suppose this took me some time, for,
after a fortnight or so, I got an official from the adjutant
to say that if I did not leave Simla very shortly and get on
to Bihar, the remainder of my leave would be cancelled ! So
I had to go.
The famous Bertie Short was there, still doing a little
riding and busily reporting for the Planters' Gazette. The
first night of the lotteries my breath was taken away by
the chairman, Paddy Hudson, rising to say :
" Before we commence business, gentlemen, I think it
right to say that Mr. Bertie Short is amongst us, but if
anyone objects he will withdraw."
I suppose the poor fellow was a defaulter in some way ;
anyhow no one objected and the selling began. His face,
one not easy to forget with its good-looking oval shape,
fearless blue eyes and dare-devil expression, remained quite
calm and unruffled during this preliminary. Very different
to what it looked next day when he was " bucked " off in
the paddock by a waler pony mare on the signal to mount.
CHAPTER V
LORD DUFFERIN AND THE AMIR
MY battalion had a pack of hounds at Ambala
drawn along in camel shagrams (species of
covered wagon), and we hunted regularly on
Thursdays and Sundays. In the winter the
battalion went to Delhi for a big camp of exercise. We
were camped for a time on the Ridge alongside the Chief's
camp, where a lot of foreign officers were staying. They
used to ride round with the Chief, and it was an extra-
ordinary thing how the men disliked the Russian represent-
atives and would whisper amongst themselves in the shelter
trenches :
" Them's the ruddy Roosians, them's the fellars we're
going to fight, the beggars in the white caps."
It was here that a linguistic sapper officer, who was help-
ing to look after them, and remarkable for his marvellous
agility in walking under a rope and then jumping over it,
or hopping on to the mantelpiece and remaining there,
got very lively one night. In his light -heartedness he in-
sisted on continuously calling out : "I want to hop that
ruddy Russian round the table." This caused much
consternation : the Chief heard about it, and he had to leave
Delhi next day.
It was here also that the celebrated ball at the Delhi
Club took place, when all of us were very merry, down
to the last joined subaltern. This joviality was partly
owing to the high spirits of everybody at the apparent
certainty of a war with Russia, and partly because our
fitness, after a hard camp life on short commons, made the
wine take effect very easily. The Cheshires had a meet
next morning at 6.30 a.m., and my duties of whip neces-
sitated a rapid change into hunting kit immediately after
the ball. The long jog to covert, a good run and a search
56
LORD DUFFERIN AND THE AMIR 57
until 3 p.m. for two hounds, lost when rioting after pig,
effectually worked off any excess in champagne the night
before.
It was here, again, that I made up my mind to go into the
Indian Staff Corps (the old term for the Indian Army), to
my colonel's intense disgust. This necessitated very early
action with the proper authorities encamped on the Delhi
Ridge, as I was already over age.
I had put down for cavalry, as that was the arm I wanted,
but then taking fellows a very long time to get, owing to
paucity of vacancies. I realised, however, that the first
thing to do was to get into the Indian Army somehow,
and trust to luck about the mounted branch later on.
Enquiry taught me that a colonel, called Collett, then deputy
adjutant -general, was the man I wanted, but that the inter-
view might be unpleasant ! Fortified by the thought of
my success with the War Office Military Secretary, I judged
a bold course the better one, and next day sent my card
into his office tent. Being duly admitted, the following
conversation took place :
Self. " I've come to say I want to enter the Indian
Staff Corps."
D.A.G. " All right, then, send in the necessary papers."
Self. " Yes, that's being done, but unfortunately I'm
over age."
D.A.G. " Then, I'm afraid I can't help you."
Self. " I came into the Army late, having been in
business first, and as promotion in the Indian Staff Corps
is by length of service, I don't see how I can do harm to
anyone."
D.A.G. "Humph! Fond of shooting ?"
Self. " Yes, sir, very."
D.A.G. " All right, I think it can be managed and I'll
get you posted to an Assam battalion."
Now I had little idea of where Assam was, but fancied
it had something to do with the Andamans. The thought
flitted through my brain, that here I was trying to enter
the I.S.C. for the specific purpose of marriage, and running
a risk of permanent appointment to a unit in the wilds.
Hence my reply after a longish pause.
Self. " Well, sir, I know beggars can't be choosers, but
I think I'd rather give up the idea."
D.A.G. (who had been very patient). " Oh ! well, I
58 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
daresay I could post you to a Bengal regiment, on one
condition, and that is that you join immediately you get
the telegram. Do you agree ? "
I knew nothing of Bengal regiments, but this seemed
splendid, and I agreed at once.
Before the troops dispersed there was a big review and
march past, with Lord Dufferin taking the salute, and all
the foreign officers present French, German, Russian,
Austrian, Italian, American, etc., etc. The morning broke
beautifully fine and about 8 a.m. off we started to take
up our position in line, dressed in review order, red, and
officers in Wellington boots and straps. Ah 1 went well until
the Viceroy returned to the saluting base from his ride down
the line, when the rain began to fall in torrents. A water-
proof was pressed on Lord Dufferin, but he waved it aside,
and for three long hours sat on his horse in the pitiless down-
pour. Drenched to the skin he was, indeed, but he had
for ever endeared himself to the soldiery, who cheered
him lustily whenever and wherever he was seen.
This episode was recalled to my mind thirty-one years
later by a very courteous act in heavy rain by General
Padma Shumsher, of the Nepal army at Abbottabad, where
I had the pleasure of supervising the training of over six
thousand of the Nepalese contingent, in addition to my other
work as a brigadier.
For some time the general had wished to give me a cere-
monial parade of the whole contingent on the brigade review
ground four miles from his camp. At last, a day being
fixed, eight o'clock saw me riding up to the saluting base to
receive the general salute. Hardly was this over, and just
as the troops were moving to march past, one of those tor-
rential showers, so common on the North-West Frontier,
commenced. In two minutes we were wet to the skin,
with water bubbling over the top of our boots, and I soon
saw my wife's car near the flagstaff standing in inches of
splashing rain.
Galloping up to General Padma, I told him to dismiss the
men to take shelter in some empty adjacent barracks and
at the same time begged him to ride home quickly and change
at once. As he still delayed, after giving the necessary
orders about the men, I repeated my request, when he
remarked, " But I must pay my respects to Mrs. Woodyatt
first, after her coming down to see the parade." Saying
LORD DUFFERIN AND THE AMIR 59
I would explain and that she would never expect it in that
awful shower, I trusted he would ride away. But no !
instead of that he galloped off to the car, where he actually
got off his horse and stood in the slush for several minutes
in animated conversation with my wife.
" Blood will tell," I said to myself. " That's a very
gallant and courteous act, denoting the true gentleman."
And so it was in Lord Dufferin's case at the Rawalpindi
Review. But the parade had to go through, rain or no rain.
For ages we infantry seemed to stand facing the saluting
base, while the cavalry and artillery went past, the elephant
batteries squelching the mud into regular furrows. I saw
the red from the tassels of my sash running in crimson
streaks down my overalls, while the pipeclay from my white
helmet poured in pale streams along my chest and back.
When eventually we got near the flagstaff, the going beggars
description. It was all one could do to keep one's feet,
let alone keep pace to the drowned strains of " Wha Winna
Fight for Charlie," the old Cheshire " March Past," sym-
bolic of Sir Charles Napier and Myanee.
Some of the native infantry in those days wore shoes.
Dozens of odd ones were lying in the mud everywhere.
The native ranks of one unit (the 39th Bengal Infantry),
looking upon their loss as a very serious matter, many men
actually fell out to recover them. Indeed the native officer
carrying the Queen's Colour was said to have fished his up
with the top of the pole. Anyhow, the unit was entirely
disgraced and eventually disbanded.
This episode was the talk of the whole camp for days,
the indignation being intense that this should have happened
in front of all the foreign officers. It was somewhat of a
relief, therefore, to hear later that the offence had not been
overlooked, and that the Chief had assembled the foreign
officers and told them so.
Our men were splendid, and grave as could be, for the
good name of the old " two twos " (22nd Cheshire Regi-
ment). I myself saw one man near the right flank of the
company in front slip badly some twenty yards before
reaching the Viceroy. Recovering, he regained his balance
indeed, but had lost the hold of his rifle. The man on his
right, however, catching it deftly, carried this rifle past, as
well as his own, while the unarmed private fell in line with
the supernumerary rank and went by like a Trojan.
60 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
In the meantime Lord Dufferin had brought off his
famous conference with the Afghan Amir, Abdiir Rahman,
and off we went to Rawalpindi where a large concentration
of troops took place. It was always raining, and raining
hard.
Camped some three or four miles away we started one
morning at 4 a.m., in great-coats over our full dress, to
line the streets for the Amir's arrival. Of course at 8 a.m.
the sun came out, and the order was passed down the line
to take off great-coats and stack them in rear. Shering-
ham and I had failed to put on our red tunics at all!
It appeared a pity to sweat in them under our overcoats,
and it looked a dreadfully threatening day ! We could
not very well stand alongside our men's tunics in great-
coats, so after some very severe remarks by the C.O. we
were ordered to hand over the company and go back to
camp. Feeling very dejected we trudged off. When the
battalion returned about noon we learnt that the Amir had
never even arrived ! The fact was that at Peshawar he had
refused to get into so strange a thing as a railway carriage !
In the afternoon orders came that the streets would be
similarly lined the next day. Luckily it didn't rain and the
Amir did arrive.
At a conversazione given by the Viceroy, a chance came
to me of studying Abdur Rahman very closely. Sitting
out with some girl in a kind of boudoir tent, in walked
the Amir, entirely by himself, looking very bored. Plump-
ing himself down on a couch he remained buried in reverie
for a long time, with a stout walking-stick between his
legs. He wore a black astrakhan cap with a diamond
star in front, a kind of frock-coat and long untanned leather
boots.
Of a large and stout figure, he had a very strong face,
covered with a thick beard dyed red, his upper lip and a
small portion of the lower being clean shaven. It looked
as if he had retired bored to death, and though various
equerries and people came and peeped at His Highness
now and then, he gave such a vicious snarl at the sight of
them, that they promptly disappeared.
What we were chiefly concerned with, however, was the
Grand Review, but the rain being so persistent, the new
parade ground on the far-away plain was unfit for use on
the appointed day. It was arranged, therefore, that the
LORD DUFFERIN AND THE AMIR 61
review should take place in Rawalpindi itself, by marching
units up to the cricket ground by one road, whence they
formed to the left, marched past and then, forming again
to the left, returned to quarters by another road. This
went off very well, and some forty thousand cavalry, artil-
lery, and infantry went past by troops, sections and
companies. When asked by Lord Dufferin, however,
what he thought of it, the Amir looked knowing, but only
said, " Very clever ! "
It took some hours to make out exactly what he meant,
and then it transpired he was firmly convinced that only
about five thousand troops had taken part at all, the same
units having marched round and round eight or nine times.
This is what he meant by " Very clever." In vain the
Viceroy, through his interpreter, endeavoured to clear his
mind of this misapprehension. The Amir pinned his belief
mainly on the indisputable fact that a " ghdgrd paltan"
(kilted regiment) had gone past several times. He politely
brushed aside Lord Dufferin 's assurance that there were
four or five different Highland battalions in camp.
Towards the end of the Conference, the Viceroy held a
grand Durbar at which the Amir, after a speech by the
Viceroy, received a sword of honour, and his suite and family
numerous other presents. Each was brought in separately,
and announced by the Foreign Secretary, who, making
an obeisance, would say : "A pair of guns for His High-
ness' eldest son, the etc., etc., etc." This took an inter-
minable time, until it really appeared as if everyone of his
numerous relatives in Afghanistan was getting something.
The Durbar tent was packed and, for the first time, ladies
were permitted to be present. On receiving the sword of
honour, Abdur Rahman was heard to say a few words
which the interpreter translated in a loud voice, as follows :
" With this sword I shall kill the enemies of Queen Victoria."
Being received with acclamation, the Amir looked up very
quickly and suspiciously at the novel sound, to him, of
hand-clapping.
During this concentration the Tindi Club was crowded
to suffocation. There would be rows six to eight deep in
the evening trying to get a drink. One night Sheringham
and I tried to dine there before going on to the lotteries,
but it was precious little we got to eat and nothing at all
to drink. There were some shocking incidents as regards
62 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
" chits " signed for drinks with fictitious names. This and
bad management and the fact that many drinks were
not signed for at all, caused a heavy loss to the club
instead of a big profit as should have been the case. In
face of this it is extraordinary that, over twenty years
later, the club in Lahore at a big gathering should have still
maintained the " chit " system instead of cash vouchers,
and with, I regret to record, exactly similar results. Many
vouchers were, in this last case, signed " Bishop of Lahore,"
and these, that best of good fellows, Bishop Lefroy, is said
to have redeemed.
Outside Rawalpindi we were camped by brigades mostly
along the main road. Exactly opposite the Cheshires'
quarter guard was the camp of the 4th Gurkhas, which
had the reputation of being the best dressed unit amongst
Gurkhas. Colonel Hay was the C.O. and Mercer the
adjutant. My delight in these little men was mingled
with regret that, firstly, I could not get them to understand
a word I said, though they smiled, which was something ;
and secondly, that I was never likely to serve with them.
Not only was I down for cavalry, eventually, but vacancies
in the Gurkhas appeared to be reserved for sons of dis-
tinguished Indian Civil Service and military officials, or the
relatives of other great men.
Outside Assam and Burma there were at that time only
five regular battalions of Gurkhas, with nine British officers
apiece, including the M.O. Great was my delight when I
was asked to dinner with the 4th, and little did I think
that five years later I should be offered the adjutancy of
a recently formed 2nd Battalion to the 4th, or that thirty-
four years afterwards I should have this same old battalion,
under the command of my great friend " Eliza " Tillard,
as one of the units of my division in the field. Mercer was
very busy after dinner selecting the tartan for streamers
for the pipes they were just starting, and I thought what
a keen, earnest, good-looking fellow he was.
CHAPTER VI
SIR FREDERICK (AFTERWARDS LORD) ROBERTS
SOON after our return to Ambala I got orders to
join the 33rd Bengal Infantry at Agra. It was
an awful wrench leaving the dear old Cheshires
where I had been so happy, and I liked to feel that
the regret appeared to be mutual.
Before I had been at Agra very long the desire for Indian
Cavalry became so strong that I wrote to Colonel Revel
Eardley-Wilmot, D.Q.M.G., Simla, and begged him to
help me, with the result that within ten days I was appointed
squadron officer in the nth Bengal Lancers at Sangor. At
the same time I had applied for, and obtained, six months'
leave to study the languages and, taking the usual ten
days' joining leave always allowed on a transfer, off I went
to Simla. There I came in for my third birthday ball in
two-and-a-half years, and also made the personal acquain-
tance of Sir Frederick Roberts.
The Chief, having apparently noted my appointment
to the nth Bengal Lancers, and being a friend of the girl
I was to marry, told her to send me to see him the next
time I came up. Interviewing Colonel Pole-Carew, his
military secretary, on the matter, he said I was to go to
Snowdon at n a.m. the following Tuesday in uniform.
Sir Frederick was very kind, saying I mustn't mind his
pointing out that few men who went to the Indian Army
were men of means ; that he understood I intended to get
married ; that I was in a very expensive regiment, with
my chargers and polo ponies to keep up, etc., etc., and
did I think I could manage it all ? Explaining that I
hoped to get along with help, he asked why I didn't try
for Gurkhas, which would give me a permanent hill station.
Telling him I had no chance whatever, never having had
a relation out in India, he astounded me by saying that
63
64 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
he intended raising some new battalions, and would try
and fit me in if I liked.
Of course I jumped at it, but on asking if I could get
Gurkhas from cavalry, he said : " Dear me, no ! That
would be looked upon as an awful job ; you must go back
to infantry for a time." Then seeing my face fall, he added,
" But I'll see you get a good Punjab regiment."
Walking back to Ranken & Co.'s shop, the great military
tailors of India, where I had changed, I was horribly con-
cerned about payment for the undress uniform I was wearing
and all the rest that was on order, but only " basted "
and once tried on, up to date. It was a most expensive
kit, the eleventh, with a very elaborate mess waistcoat
embroidered with gold lace, which alone cost .over 20.
Imagine my relief then when the head partner toi'd me that,
being stock size, they would say nothing about it if I
gave them the order for my Gurkha outfit. Very handsome
indeed of Ranken & Co., I thought it was.
I think it was at this year's State ball at the new Vice-
regal Lodge that a rather awkward incident occurred. The
Lieutenant-Go vernor of the Punjab was to have taken
Lady Roberts in to supper, but got ill, or pretended he was
ill, and went home before it came off. By some mistake
the Viceregal Staff omitted to allow for this, and when
the exalted guests trooped off to supper, Lady Roberts was
left stranded. This I happened to notice myself as,
passing the dais just afterwards, I saw her standing there
alone, fanning herself furiously and looking very cross. I
missed, of course, the opportunity of a lifetime, for had
I only rushed up, offered my arm and taken her in, I
should have got a lucrative appointment on the staff within
a fortnight.
However I didn't, and although Lord Dufferin himself
came back from the supper-room and escorted her in,
when the dreadful mistake was discovered, a considerable
time elapsed before she was rescued. Next day the
Viceroy went over to Snowdon personally, to make his
apologies, but the lady was very sore and not to be comforted.
He is supposed, when expressing his deep regret, to have
said she could imagine what his feelings were like by thinking
of her own, had such an unfortunate incident occurred
at Snowdon. Lady Roberts replied tartly that it couldn't
possibly have happened at Snowdon !
LORD ROBERTS 65
On the occasion of their silver wedding the Chief and
Lady Roberts gave a fancy dress ball in the Snowdon
ballroom. Two men from every regiment that had
taken part in his famous march from Kabul to Kandahar
were present, in pairs, round the ballroom and approaches.
The decorations were very fine and what people thought
so nice on the part of the Robertses, was the fact that
on many of the banners were the words, " Kandahar to
Kabul," as a compliment to the late Chief, Sir Donald
Stewart. There were plenty of people there who knew
the significance of this, for Sir Donald had carried out his
march under great difficulties with a very scratch lot of
transport. On the other hand, for Sir Frederick Roberts,
all Divisions had been denuded of their best mules, carts,
camels, etc., so that he should start as well equipped as
possible for his marvellously successful leap in the dark
from " Kabul to Kandahar."
This ballroom was still further enlarged later on. For
the benefit of those who do not know, it may be added
that Snowdon is situated at the opposite end of Simla from
Viceregal Lodge. Built on a narrow spur, it has very small
grounds and not a great deal of accommodation. It was
Lord Roberts' own property, but sold by him to Govern-
ment for the official residence at Simla of the Commanders-
in-Chief in India.
At this particular fancy ball, not seeing why ladies
should have the monopoly of the simple disguise called
poudre, I adopted that dress myself. As it only entailed
powdering one's hair, putting on a little rouge and adding
a few patches, it was both inexpensive and easy to don.
While waiting in the hall for a partner, I was astonished
to see the Indian policeman on duty inside the door
wearing his native shoes. Such a breach of the ordinary
customs of the country and such want of respect so roused
my ire that in my best, and recently acquired, Hindustani,
I told him what I thought of him and requested him to
remove them.
Although the Hindustani was crude, I knew it was
perfectly intelligible to any ordinary native, yet he didn't
seem to understand a word. I noted he was of slight
build with a good-looking, well-bred face, and appeared
honestly distressed that he could not make out what I
wanted. Wondering what I should do next, as he was
E
66 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
not in the least obstructive or objectionable, up came
Charlie Hume, one of the A.D.C.s. Explaining the reason
for my indignation he burst out laughing and told me the
quasi] policeman was Ava (Lord Dufferin's heir who was
afterwards killed in South Africa). He certainly scored
one here, and was prouder than ever of his disguise.
My language leave being in order, off I went to Poona
and, working hard, managed to pass the Higher Standard
in the [autumn. Meanwhile my transfer to the 30th
Punjabis at Peshawar had been gazetted, so I soon found
myself in that frontier station for the second time and
attached to a Punjab battalion of the highest distinction.
The second-in-command being at home on leave, I was
offered his charger to keep, which I found to be a nice-
looking, cobby waler up to great weight. But the horse,
having been much neglected, had a long scrubby tail, heavy
coat, bad corns and a mangy-looking mane. Having
doctored him, cut his tail, and hogged his mane, he looked
quite smart, but I heard afterwards that his very unwieldy
and untidy owner, on his return, refused at first to take
him over or believe it was really the confidential charger
he had left behind ! There is no accounting for tastes !
Amongst the troops, and in addition to the gunners, I
found the 1st Bengal Lancers with Gartside-Tipping
commanding ; a battalion of the 6oth Rifles with Kinloch,
the big game hunter, as C.O. ; a battalion of the Wiltshires
and my own unit, the 30th Punjabis, with Colonel Camp-
bell at its head and C.R.A. Bond acting as Adjutant.
Gartside-Tipping was the M.F.H., but was shortly leaving
the station. Kinloch, who never wore a sun-hat between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., was getting peculiar. In the evening
he used to come to the club dressed entirely in khaki
mufti, with a sola topee, in a khaki cover and khaki-coloured
canvas shoes.
To advertise the new fast-dyed drill, Kinloch got one
penny in the pound from Lieman and Gatty, the producers,
which he said brought him in about 600 a year. He also
said that without it he could never have afforded to take
command of a battalion of the 6oth. The Government had
just negotiated a contract with Lieman and Gatty for the
supply of the new drill to the whole Army, but, before this,
units had made their own arrangements to dye, locally,
a suit or two per man of the Government issue of white.
LORD ROBERTS 67
The Cheshires were very particular about the shade, and at
an inspection at Delhi, on one occasion, General Dillon,
commanding the improvised Division for manoeuvres, called
out to our colonel : " How well your men are turned out,
colonel ; what is the dye used ? " " Cow-dung, sir," replied
Colonel Patton in a loud voice which was quite true !
The ist Bengal Lancers had a wonderful yellow cloth tunic
for full dress, a very effective, but at the same time, most
expensive garment. In the early nineties, one of their
subalterns went to a levee at St. James's in his new coat.
While waiting at one of the barricades an old gentleman,
covered with orders, and evidently one of the Court officials,
touching his tunic, said : " I suppose this is what you call
khaki in India ! "
Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, V.C., was commanding
the Peshawar District and had as his senior staff officer,
termed D.A.A.G., Major Brunker of the Cameronians.
Sir Hugh had known me before and, meeting him at the
club, told me I was to come and see him next day. At this
interview he informed me that quite recently there had
been a meeting at the club regarding the Peshawar Vale
Hunt, when a monstrous proposition had been put up by
" Jackal " McCall, of the 60 th, with a considerable following,
that the Hunt should be abolished. The reason given was
that now polo was being so much played, officers could not
afford to keep animals for both.
" Now," said Sir Hugh, " you have had hunting experience
with the Cheshire regimental pack, Gartside-Tipping is
shortly leaving us, and I want you to do all you can to help
this Hunt to flourish. I should die of shame if, after all
these years, the P.V.H. ceased to exist during my tenure
here."
I told him I would do all I could and would be very glad
to act as whip, but that neither my years, experience, nor
pocket justified me in aspiring to M.F.H. The result was
that I whipped for a short time to Gartside-Tipping, and
later carried on with Oliver Nugent of the 6oth, who suc-
ceeded him. My fellow whips were Markham of the 60 th
(a Brigadier in France during the War) and J. E. Capper,
a Sapper (now the Governor of Guernsey).
Gartside-Tipping was about the best M.F.H. we ever had
in India ; for, coupled to a wonderful eye for country, a
firm seat, sound judgment and perfect hands, he was a
68 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
real hound lover, with a voice that seemed to go to the heart
of every hound in the pack, whether outside or inside
covert. He was always " talking " to them, but musically
and ever so quietly. I once saw him, as a stranger, take
out the Meerut pack, which had been showing very poor
sport, and the way those hounds answered to his voice at
the end of one morning was a revelation.
One run in the Peshawar Vale comes to memory very
clearly, though I forget the names of places. Anyhow, we
had a sharp burst of about fifteen minutes, and being put
down at a gridiron (two or more ditches with some six feet
of earth between each), I only caught hounds at a check.
The " jack " (jackal) was in a basin of red soil on the edge
of the Nagoman River (a tributary of the Kabul) with his
back to the bank and all the pack in front of him, but not
one plucky enough to tackle.
Having got his wind the jack, snapping right and left
and rushing through the whole lot of them, made for the
water and started swimming across with the hounds at his
brush. The river was pretty broad, but did not seem other-
wise formidable, and had a nice shelving bank on the near
side. Close beside me was Davis of the ist Lancers. I
looked at him, he looked at me, and together we turned our
horses to the river and walked them in. At this moment
the native huntsman called out that it was a bad stream
and there was a bridge close at hand. It was too late,
however, and on we went, while the Master and all the field
dashed round to the bridge. It was rather difficult landing
and I lost a stirrup, owing to forgetfulness to cross them
over my mare's neck, but the worst of it was that the hounds
were soon at fault on the far side and we never killed that
jack. I mention this run because, from the accounts I
read, it seems very much the same spot as the one where
poor Irvine, the M.F.H., was drowned in 1919. Probably
Davis will remember.
Brunker, the D.A.A.G., was very fond of practical jokes
and " leg pulling." Having pulled Bond's, and also mine,
badly, we thought we should like to get even, but the result
was most disastrous ! There was to be a " field firing "
of the whole garrison, and Brunker had specially timed it
so that the musketry inspector would be away in the
Malakand. He disliked this musketry inspector intensely,
and mainly because he was not under the Peshawar Dis-
LORD ROBERTS 69
trict in any way. The scheme was quite a big one and
worked out by Brunker to the minutest detail.
Now Brunker messed with us (3oth Punjabis), and as
he was dining out the night before the manoeuvre, it struck
us that evening it would be a splendid " leg pull " if we sent
him a letter purporting to be from the inspector, to say he
had managed to come after all. We added he was staying
as usual with Thompson of the ist Lancers, and would
Brunker kindly send him all the detail of to-morrow's
parade with general and special ideas, description of targets,
route, arrangements for clearing ground, etc. Brunker
was entirely taken in, went back early from dinner to his
quarters, and, as in duty bound, sat up till very late writing
out and putting together all the necessary detail.
Next day, Bond and I went with the battalion to the
rendezvous, where such an unconscionable delay occurred
that we strolled over towards the District head-quarters
and heard Sir Hugh, who looked very cross, tell Brunker to
send for Thompson. When he appeared, Sir Hugh called
out :
" I say, Thompson, where the devil is that d d
musketry man ? "
Thompson denied all knowledge of him, saying he had
not seen him since he stayed with him two months before.
" But he wrote to Brunker last night to say he was
staying with you," blustered Sir Hugh.
" Very sorry, sir," said Thompson, " but I know nothing
about it."
Bond and I began to feel a bit uncomfortable, although
we realised there was nothing to be done. As we sneaked
back, for the show was then to begin, we heard Sir Hugh
say he would report the matter to the Chief.
That evening in the club we saw Brunker reading out my
letter, supposed to be the inspector's, to an interested
crowd, and at dinner he told us that Sir Hugh was writing
to the Chief next day reporting the whole thing. Bond
then got nervous and it was arranged in our room at mid-
night that we should both go and confess to Brunker at
his office next morning and that J was to be the spokesman !
We went at 10.30 a.m. and the following conversation
ensued :
Self. "Who do you think, major, wrote that letter from
the inspector ? "
70 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Brunker. " The musketry man, I suppose."
Self. " No ! Bond and I concocted it to pull your leg,
as you are always pulling ours."
Brunker. " Then I'm d d sorry for you, because
Sir Hugh is furious and wrote to the Chief about it this
morning."
Brunker looked very gruff, so we left him, but we heard
afterwards that he went off to the general the moment we
disappeared and got the letter stopped. Our colonel was
ordered to give us an official wigging and Sir Hugh regularly
cut Bond and me everywhere. I tried to find out his feel-
ings through his daughter May (now Mrs. W. G. Hamilton),
but she only said she did not know what I had done to her
father, for only a few hours before she had proposed my
name as a guest at dinner when the Chief and Lady
Roberts came in a few days, and he had scratched it out
at once.
A few days later, Bond and I drove up to Flagstaff
House to write our names in the Chief's book. Sir Frederick
and the general happened to be in the verandah and we
heard the latter say : " Halloo, here are the arch fiends,"
at which the Chief said : " Why, that's young Woodyatt,
what's he been doing ? " Sir Hugh replied : " Oh, I'll
tell you what it is as we drive to hospital." This was
all said very cheerily, but as the " cutting " continued
unabated, Bond persuaded me to write to the general after
about ten days more and ask that we should be forgiven !
I still have Sir Hugh's reply, which runs :
" DEAR NIGEL,
" Little boys shouldn't play with edged tools !
" Joking apart, you not only pulled Brunker's leg, but
you pulled my leg and were within an ace of pulling the leg
of the C.-in-C.
" However, except as a joke, it is all forgotten and, as
a joke, I don't think you had the best of it !
" Yours sincerely,
" (Sgd.) HUGH GOUGH."
Shortly afterwards Sir Hugh was promoted to the com-
mand of the Lahore Division and Peshawar knew him and
Lady Gough no more, to the infinite regret of all the station.
Much mention has been made of the Commander-in-
LORD ROBERTS 71
Chief in this chapter, who was then at the beginning of his
seven years' command. His cold weather consisted of an
extended tour, including a few weeks in residence in his
quarters in Fort William, Calcutta.
No Chief, not even Lord Kitchener, made such a syste-
matic business of his cold weather touring as Lord Roberts.
His immediate successor, Sir George White, the most gallant
of soldiers, found it much too irksome and soon dropped it,
until his winter developed into a vast shoot. The published
itinerary of his inspections, until you knew, made you
think what a towelling the stations were getting. You
would read an entry like this : " Meerut arrive 5 hours
5th December. Depart 17 hours igth December." The
unwary would conclude that the garrison was going to be
turned inside out for a fortnight. Instead, one unit would
possibly be looked at on the 5th, on the way from the rail-
way station to some mess for breakfast, preparatory to
proceeding to a camp in the old bed of the Ganges for snipe
and duck shooting. On the igih one more unit would be
inspected, on return from the shoot and en route to the
railway saloon.
But he was a grand fellow, Sir George, and a great
sportsman, one of his last actions being to break his leg
paper-chasing in Calcutta. It must never be forgotten that
it was he, in 1894 or '95, who, by a scratch vote in Council,
got the first increase to the Sepoy's pay. The finance
member unwarily mentioning that he had a big balance to
the good, Sir George pounced on this immediately, and
carried the grant of better pay, which was so badly needed.
He held all sorts of records for runs and walks round
Jakko, to which was added a further achievement in that
his wife presented him with a baby during his tenure as
Chief ! Not to be outdone, the Viceroy's consort (Lady
Elgin) did the same ! Perambulators are not usually
required at Viceregal Lodge and Snowdon.
There was a British soldier, a batman, at Snowdon, who
was sacked by Sir G. White for using His Excellency's hair-
brushes. Lady White, however, had found this man so
invaluable that the Chief had to reinstate him. Snowdon
could not be run without him !
When visiting a station, Lord Roberts saw every unit,
every hospital and every transport corps. In addition,
days and hours would be told off for seeing officers. Any
72 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
officer, however humble in rank, could ask for an interview,
and generally got it. We soon learnt to know, therefore,
how great an interest he took in his officers, how deep was
his sympathy, and, although he could be firm enough on
occasion, how kind was his heart. He made a point of
knowing everyone and, in fact, took immense pains to
ensure full recollection of officers' names, faces and history.
He had that wonderful gift of recognising people in an
instant, and he not only cultivated it, but was glad of any
assistance, if at fault. Let me illustrate this by an anecdote.
I was once on temporary duty on his staff at Meerut on
the occasion of a garden party given by Lord and Lady
Roberts to the whole garrison. For a lengthy period Lord
Roberts stood at the entrance to the camp receiving his
guests, with his favourite aide-de-camp, Neville-Chamber-
lain, beside him. There was a hiatus in the guests' arrival,
when up drove a stout man in a dog-cart, and the Chief
asked his A.D.C., quickly, who it was exactly, as he thought
he knew him. Like a shot N.-C. answered somewhat as
follows :
" Major Jones, sir Punjabis, conspicuous in the attack
on the Peiwar Kotal, wife had triplets last year, all lived,
etc., etc." Then the Chief took a pace or two forward,
shook Jones warmly by the hand, called him by his name,
referred to the Peiwar Kotal and asked after the triplets.
All to the enormous gratification of Jones.
Lord Roberts had also, in a most marked degree, the
attribute of sympathy, which, coupled with a wonderful
magnetic personality, endeared him to all ranks. This was
the case with the Indian Army to quite an extraordinary
extent. The majority of Indian officers are very fine fellows
and possessed of acumen, perception and sound common
sense far above their fellows, or they would not be where
they are. To see a batch of them talking to a man like
Lord Roberts, or Birdie, 1 or a Divisional Commander they
know, and have tested, will always be a revelation. It
must surely be a source of enormous satisfaction to be the
recipient of such confidence and trust.
" Birdie," as the Anzacs or any troops he commanded
will tell you, is never so happy as when making friends
with his men. Years ago he took the trouble to learn
1 General Sir William Bird wood, Commander of the 5th Army
in the Great War, and now G.O.C.-in-C. Northern Command, India.
LORD ROBERTS 73
" Khas Kura," the lingua franca of Nepal. This last
summer, when on tour in his command, he was actually
able to talk to the Gurkhas at Abbottabad in their own
language. The surprise and delight of the Gurkha officers
and men at hearing their own dialect spoken by an officer
of such high rank, and the way their faces lighted up, would
be ample reward for the trouble taken over " Khas Kura."
It is no exaggeration to say the men adored Lord Roberts,
and would have done anything for him. Indeed, " Bobs
Bahadur " was so popular in India that it was really
difficult to keep the ranks steady on parade when he was
present. Other leaders have had the welfare of the troops
ever so much at heart. They have honestly tried to be just,
upright, and liberal in all their dealings ; but, with the
exception of Lord Roberts in the old days and Birdie in
the present, none that have come under my ken have been
able to communicate from themselves to others that wonder-
ful bond of sympathy which attracts, influences, and finally
enslaves.
I have mentioned one or two personal instances which
brought this home to me so forcibly, I will briefly refer
to one other. Lord and Lady Roberts and their eldest
daughter made a short stay at my hill station of Almora when
he had been Chief three or four years. His A.D.C. (Oxley
of the 6oth) asked, in the little club one evening, if any
one wished to see the Chief next morning. In pure chaff
I said, " Yes, I do," and when he enquired the subject,
I took his pocket-book and drew a sketch of myself on my
knees before Lord Roberts, with the words " very badly
placed," underneath. The next morning, when at the tail
of a procession walking up from hospital, I heard my name
called. Hurrying to the front, to my horror, the Chief took
me by the arm, saying, " You wanted to see me." I was
dreadfully taken aback, but that horrible pocket-book
incident flashing across me, I stammered out something
about wondering whether I could get an adjutancy any-
where.
It is necessary to explain that the custom then was, for
this most interesting of all appointments to be released,
automatically, by an officer on getting his troop or company,
after twelve years' service. The next subaltern then took
it on, if he was in any way fit for it. There was usually
little selection. So it sometimes happened that in one case
74 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
a man held it for eight years and in another for eight months \
The man just above me was September, 1882, whilst my
commission was May, 1883, so I could only hold the appoint
ment for the latter period. The Chief understood this and
told me King-Harman, commanding the new 2nd Bat-
talion of the 4th Gurkhas/had mentioned to him in Calcutta,
a few days previously, that he didn't know what the devil
to do for an adjutant, and advised me to apply. Thank-
ing him profoundly, I walked off, grateful indeed to have
escaped so easily, but with no intention whatever of apply-
ing, as I did not want to leave the 3rd.
However, after breakfast, I got a little note from the
Chief himself, saying he was writing to Colonel King-Har-
man and should he mention my wish to be his adjutant !
The fat was now in the fire, so burring off to Barry Bishop,
my C.O., I told him the whole story and he agreed I must
say " Yes," or else it would be a second case of " leg-pull."
So " Yes " it was ; but before it actually came off a new
second battalion was raised to the 3rd Ghurkas, and I got
the adjutancy of that instead. Still, it was nice of the
Chief, and it was things like that which endeared him so to
all ranks.
He was an early riser and always rode before breakfast.
Being fastidious about his clothes, he was invariably
beautifully turned out, and once told me that he owed a
good deal of his successful career to being always well
dressed and well mounted.
I saw him frequently just before the Great War, when
he was very busy with his National Service League, a
movement that would have had much more moral and
material support from many distinguished soldiers, if they
had not felt, rightly or wrongly, that the time to press for
a modified form of conscription was on his return from South
Africa in January, 1901, when at the height of his popu-
larity and fame. Their contention was that, after so
much shame and humiliation out there, a definite announce-
ment by him then, that the sacrifice must be made, would
have carried the people, and ipso facto the politicians with
him.
Most people have heard of Lord Roberts' antipathy to
cats and how the presence of one in the same room made
him downright ill. This is quite true, and I can give an
example. In 1882 he was Commander-in-Chief in Madras,
LORD ROBERTS 75
and dined one night with the old 44th (ist Essex Regiment)
in Fort St. George. Knowing of his antipathy to cats,
the only one in barracks, a large Persian cat belonging to
Captain Orman, the adjutant, was tied up with a cord in
Orman's quarters. In the middle of dinner, Roberts put
down his knife and fork, saying he could not carry on
because there was a cat in the room. The colonel said
this was impossible, explaining what had been done and
referring the general to the owner of the only cat, who
was sitting on the other side of him. " Very sorry," said
Sir Frederick, " but I feel there is a cat in the room, or
close to, and I must go away if it is not removed."
Search was then made and there was no cat in the room.
In Fort St. George there are two ante-rooms adjoining the
dining-room at either end. When searching the first of
these, a cupboard was seen ajar, and there sure enough
was the Persian cat, fast asleep, with a broken cord attached
to his collar ! Visit the M.C.C. pavilion on tjie occasion
of any first-class cricket match, and the owner of that cat
will corroborate my story.
We had a good hunting season at Peshawar that year,
but although the Artillery jheel was stiff with jackals, so
much so that hounds always got split up in cover into half
a dozen packs, there were many bits of lovely grass country
further afield devoid of " jacks " altogether.
During the season I went to Agra, and it was suggested
I should bring back some " bagmen " with me. Sixteen
were eventually secured the night before I was due to
leave, by a very early train next morning. Seeing them
about 8 p.m. in a long box with partitions, allowing for
one " jack " in each, I was disgusted to find that all their
mouths had been sewn up. Quickly cutting all the stitches,
water and food were given and they appeared quite happy,
but about midnight set up the most appalling row you
ever heard and continued it the whole night long.
Fortunately I was off too early to meet my future mother-
in-law next morning, but I heard a good deal about it
later on. Booking them to Peshawar as " pets," under a
concessional railway clause, I felt fairly satisfied as regards
their safety, for, on from Tundla, where we changed, ran
a through carriage and through van all the way to Peshawar.
Just as I was beginning breakfast at Tundla, a rail-
way guard came to me in the refreshment room to say
76 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
that one of my " pets " was loose in the Agra van and
would I please come and catch him. Off I went and outside
ran into Archdeacon Tribe with his daughter (now the
Duchess of Bedford), who enquired why I was in such a
hurry. " Catching jackals," I called out. " Come and
help." Now catching jackals by hand is not a pleasant
experience at any time ; but when it means hunting one
with a blanket from corner to corner in a semi-dark railway
van, while your breakfast is getting cold, it is more than
damnable. We had to keep the door open a bit to get
any light at all, and as I stalked the beggar Miss Tribe held
the doorway, and when he rushed from one corner to
another, she bobbed down to fill the open space to prevent
his escape.
Eventually I had him by the nape of the neck through
the blanket, carried him to the waiting van for Peshawar
and, with much difficulty, got him into his partition again.
Not that it very much mattered, for I then noticed that
nearly all of them had eaten through the walls to such an
extent that they must soon be free in the van. This I
pointed out to the guard, and suggested he should warn his
relief not to put in anything else. However, he forgot, or
his relief forgot, and next night at Rawalpindi a prize ram
was bundled in, with the result that he was killed and
eaten by my pets before reaching Peshawar. The owner
tried to make the Hunt pay an enormous price for him, but
was referred by me to the railway authorities who, as common
carriers, I maintained were bound to take the requisite
precautions.
The first two jackals we put down, not running a yard,
were ignominiously chopped in covert at one afternoon's
meet. Jogging home with the pack, Colonel Green of the
I3th Cavalry rode up alongside me and after a few remarks,
said : "I would not like to suggest what we were hunting
to-day, but if you take off an inch of the brush with a very
sharp pair of scissors on turning down, then a jack, or a
fox, will run quite straight till he drops, and the occasional
drip of blood helps the hound." Then he disappeared. I
never neglected this in future, and the result was wonderful.
There is another tip which will be useful to those who
get several bagmen at once and have to keep them. Make
a pit in dryish soil about fifteen to twenty feet deep and of
suitable breadth. Put in the bagmen and let down their
LORD ROBERTS 77
food and water. They soon burrow, but at night and at
other odd times they are continually trying to get out,
which keeps them in hard exercise, and makes them extra-
ordinarily fit.
Just before importing the sixteen jackals, a jemadar *
of the ist Lancers brought us a wild young black buck
caught near his village. Taken out in the commissariat
bread van, with a little aniseed rubbed on his tuft, on release,
he gave us four or five very fast runs before coming to an
untimely end. One nuisance was that if he got on a road
or track, he would follow it, until frightened off by something
like a pedestrian, or bullock cart. He was quite wild, in
that he would allow no one near him ; but being kept in
cantonments on a long rope did not tend to give him the
wind and stamina of a jungle buck.
When uncarted he would generally graze until he heard
the music of the pack, when he bucked off at a great pace,
much too fast for the hounds. Then he would trot, uncer-
tain where to go, until they got closer, and then buck off
again and so on, each pause making him wilder and more
excited. Until really tired, he could always get clean
away ; but when quite done, with his tongue out, he would
make for a village, where some of us managed to whip
off the pack and get him caught and roped until arrange-
ments could be made for his return to Peshawar.
One day, at a distant meet, this village habit was his
undoing. Some excited Pathans, undoubtedly thinking
they were doing us a good turn, broke his leg with a stone
and he had to be shot. One haunch of venison was given
to the general, one to the chief civil officer, and the rest of
him the hounds ate.
One amusing incident happened that winter in connection
with my hunting. The colonel did not quite approve of
so much of it as two days a week for a young officer just
joined, especially as one of them happened to be an orderly
room day. In the 30th Punjabis, orderly room was held
twice a week and was called " Durbar." There were seldom
any prisoners, but an hour or so was spent by all the British
and native officers discussing such regimental matters as
the C.O., or others, brought up. I used to ask leave of
absence for hunting days, but on my third or fourth attempt
the adjutant told me the colonel disapproved of so many
1 Indian officer of cavalry.
78 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
absences and I must be present the next time, which was
two days ahead.
At the club that evening, happening to meet Sir Hugh
Gough, he asked me what hour I was starting for the next
meet as he would hack out with the hounds. I told him
unfortunately I was not going. " Not going," he roared,
" what do you mean by not going when you are a whip ? "
I then explained the reason. The result was an urgent
circular letter to all commanding officers next morning to
say the general wished every facility to be given to officers
to hunt.
In the evening the adjutant told me the hour of Durbar
had been altered and I must attend for half an hour, which
would give me ample time to get to the meet. He added
that I might come in mufti. The C.O. was generally before
his tune, and when I arrived he was in his chair with all
the native officers round him. Now my mufti happened
to be the hunt uniform which none of those present had
seen me wearing before. My rather elaborate white stock,
pink coat, grey helmet with red pugri and gold cord, as
well as immaculate leathers and mahogany tops, were too
much for the old boy, and I was never told to attend again.
CHAPTER VII
I JOIN THE GURKHAS
WHEN on leave at Agra, the time the sixteen
jackals were procured, Brunker, with his
propensity for leg-pulling, sent me a wire
from Peshawar to say I had been appointed
to the 3rd Gurkhas. Much was my delight, but on return
to Peshawar I found it was all a hoax. He did much the
same thing to Bond, the acting adjutant of the 30th Punjab
Infantry, who was most anxious not to give up such interest-
ing work on the return from leave of the permanent incum-
bent, and this fact Brunker knew very well.
Besides new battalions of Gurkhas, the chief was also
raising some of Sikhs. Hearing of this, Brunker concocted
some cock-and-bull story about a brother officer of his
having been offered the command of one of the latter, and
asked Bond if he would like to be adjutant. Bond jumped
at it, and while he went about saying what a lucky fellow
he was, Brunker pretended he was fixing it all up.
Then we heard, accidentally, that the man Brunker had
mentioned for C.O. was a perfectly impossible person quite
unfit to command anything. This made us suspicious, and
shortly afterwards we discovered it was another leg-pull!
But the curious thing is that months afterwards both of
us were actually appointed as Brunker had accidentally
anticipated. That is, I went to the 3rd Gurkhas, and Bond
got the adjutancy of a new Sikh battalion. He could not
possibly have known, because in my case there was no
vacancy in the 3rd, at the time he wired.
Having now waited in Peshawar seven months without
any news of Gurkhas, I was beginning to feel rather uneasy,
but in May welcome orders came that I had been appointed
officiating wing officer in the 1st battalion ist Gurkhas at
Dharmsala. Sending off my ponies and heavy kit, I spent
79
80 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
the usual ten days joining leave at Simla. At 7 a.m. the
first morning, when about to get up, Ian Hamilton, who in
the absence of Pole-Carew on leave, was acting as military
secretary, walked into my room. Scenting danger at once,
I leapt out of bed with : " Any bad news, major ? " " Yes,"
he said, " I'm afraid it is," and proceeded to explain that he,
in conjunction with Colonel Harris, the new D.A.G., had
posted me to the 1st Gurkhas, without telling the chief.
That my arrival would adversely affect another youngster
called Watson who was junior to me. That on the way to
the shooting range behind Jakko, the afternoon before,
he had told the chief, who was exceedingly angry, and directed
that the appointment was to be cancelled at once.
He said, quoted Ian Hamilton, " I never heard of such
a thing. Young Woodyatt has never had a relation in the
country, and got Gurkhas entirely through favour, whereas
Watson is the son of my old and tried friend, Sir John, a very
distinguished soldier who did immense service for India and
the Empire. I won't hear of his son being interfered with."
Finally Ian Hamilton said plaintively : " I don't quite
know what to do, but I never saw the chief so angry. Any-
how, come down to office this morning and we'll see if Colonel
Harris has any proposal to make."
Eventually, owing to the accidental entry of a super-
intendent in the adjutant-general's branch, who knew the
ropes, I was posted to the 1st battalion 3rd Gurkhas, in
the seconded vacancy of Major H. D. Hutchinson, the new
second-in-command, but with some time still to run as a
garrison instructor. It was necessary, however, for me to
join the ist Gurkhas until fresh orders were issued, so to
Dharmsala I went. My arrival on a Monday, knowing
I was leaving about Friday, made me feel an awful fraud,
especially when partaking, as a regimental guest, of the
usual dinner given to the newly joined.
Then came a journey to Almora in the Kumaon Hills,
the permanent station of the 1st battalion 3rd Gurkhas,
with which regiment (i.e. ist or 2nd battalion) I remained
twenty years. Only nine, however, in Almora itself, the
remainder being spent at Lansdowne, or on the staff. This
little station of Almora, which was to be our home for the
happy years of our early married life, and was to become
the birthplace of our only beloved son, is enshrined in our
hearts as no other place ever can be. It is difficult to know
I JOIN THE GURKHAS 81
to what, exactly, one can attribute its charm. The climate
is certainly equable, not too hot in the summer and delightful
in the winter, but I think it is really its simplicity and old-
world atmosphere that make it so attractive to everyone.
On first arrival I found, as a resident, Major-General the
Honourable Sir Henry Ramsay, commonly called the " King
of Kumaon," and until recently the Commissioner of Kumaon
and Garhwal, an appointment he had held for thirty-five
years. As a friend of his son Jack in the Cheshires, I got
to know Sir Henry and Lady Ramsay very well and often
stayed with them at Khali and Binsur, eight and sixteen
miles from Almora respectively. At both places the late
Commissioner had built himself houses where he cultivated
apples and potatoes, moving to one or the other according
to the season of the year. Binsur was a most beautiful
place, on a mountain 8,000 feet high covered with oak
and rhododendron. Above the house was, according to
Sir John Strachey, a former Lieutenant-Governor, one of
the finest views of the snows obtainable anywhere. 1
Sir Henry was a relation of that seven years' Governor-
General, Lord Dalhousie, who ruled India between 1848
and 1856, and annexed more territory than any other
Governor-General before or since. An erstwhile adjutant
of the 3rd Gurkhas, a participant in the Mutiny, the Con-
troller of the Prince of Wales' tiger shoot in 1875, and the
omnipotent ruler, for years, of a province bigger than
Belgium, Sir Henry was extremely interesting to talk to,
and the old man loved to talk and to reminisce. He soon
told me what a free hand he had to start with, soon after
the Mutiny, and how irksome he had found the orders of
the local government later on. So much so that if he did
not like them he returned the paper endorsed in red ink,
" Not applicable to Kumaon " !
Meeting him out for a walk he would stand for an hour
or two and tell me the most enthralling stories of his life,
stories you never see in books, and stories you could listen
to for ever. How the Prince of Wales stayed up so late
at night that on the second evening, in his shooting camp,
Sir Henry approached him at n p.m. and asked special
permission to retire always at that hour, " as I can't burn
the candle at both ends." How, in the first day's shoot
1 See p. 41 Sir John Strachey's India; Its Administration and
Progress.
F
82 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
though there were plenty of wild tiger it had been necessary
to introduce a few tame ones to make the bagging of at
least two or three by the Prince an absolute certainty.
How, when the huge " ring " of three hundred elephants
was closing in gradually, a shot was heard, when the Prince
of Wales called out sharply, " Who fired that shot ? " (It
was Arthur Prinsep of the nth Lancers, but he was never
given away, and the matter wasn't pressed.) How, a few
minutes later one of the tame tiger would not go away
from in front of Sir Henry's elephant, and he had to pelt
him with oranges to get him to move on ! How, big lunches
in hot cases on the backs of elephants were taken into the
jungle, and how delighted the Prince was with his first
tiger, etc., etc., etc.
If I remember rightly, Sir Henry only took leave to
England once during his sojourn of some fifty years in India.
It was then only for three months, and made in order to
procure agricultural implements and machinery for his
district. In those days it only gave him about three weeks
at home, and he had much to do. Directly he arrived a
summons came from Marlborough House, and there the
Prince of Wales told him he was to go to Balmoral to stay
with the Queen. H.R.H. also added that on return to
London he must make Marlborough House his head-quarters.
These were sad encroachments on the scanty days of his
short stay, but it couldn't be helped. On leaving, the
Prince and Princess of Wales (now Queen Alexandra) each
presented him with a large signed photograph. These, in
his haste, he left behind in his room. " What on earth did
you do ? " I gasped. " Oh," said the old man, " I had a
nephew, an equerry, and he had to go and retrieve them for
me!"
He loved his unofficial title of " King of Kumaon."
Once a High Court judge, on leave from the plains, put up
in the Government bungalow of Muktesar in the Kumaon
Hills, and now a bacteriological college. Here was a large
area Sir Henry had devoted to apples and potatoes. The
judge liked the potatoes so much he took a sack away with
him, sending the three rupees to the Commissioner, as told
to do by the European caretaker. " I sent the money
back," said Sir Henry, " with the words ' Kings don't
sell ' ! "
He reclaimed thousands of acres in the Kumaon Bhdbar
I JOIN THE GURKHAS 83
(land below the foot-hills and dry, as opposed to the Tardi,
which is marshy and jungly land lying along the foot of
the Himalayas north of the Ganges River) , and persuaded the
hill people to migrate there in the winter with their flocks
and herds, thereby greatly adding to their wealth by giving
them all seasons' crops. He also introduced the cultivation
of potatoes, chestnuts, etc., all over Kumaon, another
source of profit to his beloved people. These lived in
what might well be called a model province, thanks to their
king and father, Sir Henry Ramsay.
Some years after I joined at Almora, he was persuaded by
his family to leave India and reside at home, where perhaps
the cramped life speedily killed him, for he only survived
about a couple of years, if so long. Like most strong men he
had, of course, his enemies. I came across one who for
years had been one of his subordinate officers and hated
the sound of his name. Getting to know this man pretty
well, I probed for the reason for this dislike. It turned
out to be resentment at various official wiggings for slack-
ness, which were well deserved, and also because he was
" checked " for living with a native lady of Kumaon to
whom he was not married. An amusing thing was that
when this old bachelor moved anywhere, the good woman
was always carried in a large packing case, the bearers of
which were instructed, if questions were asked, to say it
was the sahib's " baja " (piano) !
There is no district in India, to my mind, so enchanting
for a cold-weather tour as Kumaon, with its very comfort-
able rest-houses and good roads, thanks to Sir Henry
Ramsay. Especially is this the case in the autumn, after
the rains, with the air so crisp and the snows so glorious.
Of many trips none brings back pleasanter recollections
than one my wife and I took in the late eighties with the
late Sir Auckland Colvin, the Lieutenant-Governor of the
then called North- West Provinces of Agra and Oudh.
He had as his private secretary Captain Jack Strachey,
than whom no greater master of detail, or better organiser,
ever existed. This was later on evinced by the way all
Governors fought for his services, and by his promotion,
eventually, to be Controller of the Household to Lord
Curzon. The arrangements for the camps on that tour
were a perfect marvel, and it was through him that I was
taken, with a party of signallers, to try and keep up com-
84 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
munication, by helio, or lamp, with Sir Auckland's summer
capital, Naini Tal. Our destination was the charming tea
estate of Kousanie, then under the management of Hugh
Macmaster, one of the best of good fellows, who, with his
daughter Bell now Lady Ailsa did all they could to make
our visit a pleasant one.
The party, besides Sir Auckland and Jack Strachey,
consisted of Mr. A. B. Patterson, the Commissioner of
Inland Revenue (my wife's father) ; Colonel Erskine, the
Commissioner of Kumaon in succession to Herky Ross ;
Jimmy Robertson, the senior member of the Board of
Revenue ; a Miss Ada Dyson, my wife, myself and, for a
night or two, the Bishop of Lucknow. Nothing had been
forgotten by Strachey and nothing was too difficult to
procure. After a few days the ladies ran out of hairpins.
They went straight to Jack, of course, as if he kept a haber-
dasher's shop, but, I think, with very little hope in their
hearts. To their joy, however, they learnt the hairpins
would be in camp the next evening. Miss Dyson was
undoubtedly a most fascinating young woman. I firmly
believe the whole camp fell in love with her, including the
Bishop.
My signalling N.C.O. a Gurkha being a stickler for
red tape, was very pressing regarding this State message,
to know what kind of Government supply was a hairpin,
which he noted was to be sent from Naini Tal by a special
runner. On my explaining it was required for His Honour's
hair in camp to keep it from getting caught up in official
files, he appeared quite satisfied. Another heliogram sent
by Sir Auckland also rather upset him. It was occasioned
by the news that his brother Bassett's daughter, Amy,
had got engaged to be married to Harry Somebody, and
ran as follows :
" One more lamb to be led to slaughter,
Auckland's niece and Bassett's daughter.
All delighted you're to marry,
Fondest love to you and 'any."
At the Naini end had been posted the battalion school-
master, a good signaller and very proud of his knowledge
of English. I sent this message myself, but it was nearly
an hour before I could get him to take the word " 'any " as
sent. He would keep asking for a repetition, while enquiring
whether it should not be " .Harry " !
I JOIN THE GURKHAS 85
Sir Auckland was at his very best in camp. The scenery,
the weather, the healthy marching, and the release from
worry and official cares made him a boy again, and full of
humour and chaff. Even loud shouting for my bearer
one night, after he had gone to sleep, only caused the
sarcastic remark at breakfast next morning that he hoped
I had found him. One evening, after tea, he sat down and
actually composed a very admirable poem on the members
of the camp party.
Very few of that jolly party now survive, but for none
do we mourn more than for the dear old " Shepherd," as
Sir Auckland called Patterson, in joke, as if he was herding
us two. His quick Irish temperament having been fired
by reading of the wrongs of Italy, he left home at eighteen,
joined Garibaldi, fought with him for two years, and besides
being wounded and decorated on the field of battle, was
promoted from cadet to captain within that period. Coming
home afterwards, he passed brilliantly for the Indian
Civil, was posted to the then North- West Provinces, and
later became Commissioner of Inland Revenue with the
Government of India. His ability much surpassed both
his industry and his ambition, but with a memory so mar-
vellous and a fund of knowledge so great, he was the most
delightful companion imaginable, being, withal, the most
lovable of men.
The battalion I was now with (the old 3rd Gurkhas) had
just returned from the Burma campaign, and Lord Roberts
(then Sir Frederick) had raised to it at Almora a new
battalion of Garhwalis. These men, though excellent
soldiers, were not looked upon, then, with the same esteem
as Gurkhas, mainly because they were not so well known,
enlisted sparingly and came from a province adjoining
that of Kumaon and therefore in British territory. The
selection of Garhwalis was somewhat resented by the
officers of the old 3rd and especially so by Barry Bishop,
our colonel. But the Chief was more far-seeing than most
of us and, having appreciated the great value of the Garh-
wali on his many campaigns, was bent on raising at least
one complete unit of them, in spite of the depressing reports
from civil sources regarding their disinclination to enlist.
Here again he showed his acumen, for he did not agree
with these reports or believe in them ; time proved him to
have judged correctly.
86 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
He once asked me, when up at Simla on leave from
Almora, what I thought of the Garhwali. On my replying
that I knew nothing of him, he said : " Well, I'll tell you
something. There has always been a certain number of
them, as well as Kumaonis, in every Gurkha battalion,
and nearly every so-called Gurkha who has won the Indian
Order of Merit for gallantry has been a Garhwali or
Kumaoni ! " Soon afterwards I had the curiosity to look
this up, and found it was a matter of about ninety per cent.
However as I have said Barry Bishop was hipped,
and for Barry Bishop to be hipped meant he would go
on worry, worry, worry, until either he got his way or
was outed. After three years' official, semi-official and
private correspondence on this, to him, all-absorbing topic,
we were given a new battalion of Gurkhas and the old
2/3rd was reconstructed the " 3Qth Garhwalis," station
Lansdowne. The number caused them much heart-burning,
for it was that of the unit disbanded for the " shoe " episode
at Delhi, to which I have already referred.
But the number was vacant and remonstrance proved
futile. The adjutant, now Brigadier-General J. T. Evatt,
D.S.O., their Colonel-in-Chief, devised, with prophetic
foresight, a crest with the motto " Resurgam." I have
often thought what a source of joy it would have been to
Lord Roberts, and must have been to Evatt, to read the
glorious record of the Garhwalis in the Great War, both in
France and on other fronts, and to note the number of
gallant soldiers this district provided.
Soon after joining the l/srd, we received a welcome
addition to our strength in the person of Vincent Ormsby,
whose maternal grandfather had been instrumental in
raising the battalion in 1815. A deep friendship soon
developed between " Vin " and myself, only ended, to my
infinite sorrow, by his death in action in France in 1917,
when Brigadier-General V. A. Ormsby, C.B., commanding
the I27th Brigade, 42nd Division. No better fellow ever
lived than this old Wykehamist, and it was a bright day
for Almora when he and his charming bride arrived to make
it their home for so many years. Not only was he a fine
rider, first-class cricketer, and good sportsman, but he had
an uncommonly pretty style with his pen, as evinced by his
" Almoriana," and many other brochures, published in
India.
I JOIN THE GURKHAS 87
About the time we heard of Government's sanction to the
new 2nd battalion 3rd Gurkhas, I was going home on leave,
after seven years in India. Having secured passages on a
trooper, I was ready to start for Bombay, when Barry
Bishop looked in on us at breakfast with something evidently
on his mind. He soon brought it out by saying how ex-
tremely foolish it was of me to go home just then, when I
was certain to get the adjutancy of the new battalion. I
was of a different opinion and said so, but eventually he
persuaded me to send a wire to Colonel (afterwards Lord)
Nicholson, the Chief's military secretary, explaining the
circumstances and enquiring what chance I had. It was
a long and expensive urgent telegram, which I could ill
afford, but I felt the outlay justified at 4 p.m. the same
day on receiving the reply as follows :
" Chief selected you for adjutancy new Gurkha battalion
Stop. You will probably have to take up your duties early
next month." That settled it and England did not see me
for six years more.
A good deal of football was played in Gurkha units even
then ; but, so far as could be ascertained, it was a desultory
kind of game with no definite rules. This was certainly
the case at Almora, where sides consisted of any number,
like Gilgit polo ; the ball was sometimes round and some-
times oval, and the by-laws varied at the fancy of the
predominant Britisher playing. Rugby was suggested,
but as this seemed impossible for Gurkhas, I started Soccer
instead.
CHAPTER VIII
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN
THE first attempt to raise a second battalion to
the 3rd Gurkhas at Almora having resulted in
a wash-out, as -I have explained, we eventually
got one of pure Gurkhas, and I was the first
officer to be appointed to it and as adjutant.
In those days it was the custom when raising a new
battalion (and Lord Roberts raised a great many) to do
so ab initio, with just a small nucleus from the sister
battalion or one of a similar composition. Lord Kitchener,
in his time, conceived the much better idea of dividing the
old battalion into two halves and completing each to
strength. The advantage of this was that the new unit
was ready for the field much sooner, and although the old
one was incapacitated for a time, yet both in a great emer-
gency could Jbe utilised, on account of the large number
of old soldiers each contained.
I was most fortunate in having as my C.O., Major H. D.
Hutchinson. He was commonly called " The Teacher "
and known to the whole army, not only for his books,
especially Sketching Made Easy, but also for his marvellous
capacity for imparting knowledge to others. For years
he had been a garrison instructor, and was the one selected
to conduct the celebrated course held in Simla itself during
Lord Lansdowne's viceroyalty. The reason for this was
that, to qualify for promotion, Bill Beresford, the Governor-
General's military secretary, had to pass the usual obliga-
tory examination. But it was considered impossible for
so important a person to be entirely absent from his
official duties for three or four months ! Hence the Simla
class.
No one could wish for a better C.O. than I had in Major
88
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 89
H. D. Hutchinson, now Lieutenant-General and Companion
of the Star of India. I shall always look upon it as a special
dispensation of Providence to have had the enormous
advantage of serving for four very interesting years under
so brilliant a mentor. I notice the present Chief of the
Imperial General Staff (Field-Marshal Sir H. Wilson) gave
a touching tribute to General Hutchinson at the last prize-
giving of the Bath School for Officers' daughters. After
a feeling reference to his present affliction of semi-blindness,
the field-marshal alluded to the immense amount he had
himself learnt when serving under him at the War Office,
just after the South African War.
This struck a very sympathetic chord in my heart, for
the little knowledge I possess that I did not learn from him
or from the late Major-General William Hill or my last
divisional commander is not worth having. He was the
first man to really make me work, and the first to en-
courage me to use my pen. I had never done either before.
But with him I was always on my mettle, and I firmly
believe that those four years were the turning point in my
life, by changing me from a slackster into one possessed
of some kind of high endeavour.
Lansdowne is not a bad little hill station, the highest
part being just 6,000 feet above sea-level and the air
very fine. The hills are too much on the big side for
training, so it is most difficult to find ground to work
over near cantonments. There is capital fishing within
a day's march, good big-game shooting (tiger, etc.) close
to, if you make proper arrangements, some pheasants and
plenty of chakor (red-legged partridge) within twenty
miles; also snipe and duck shooting in the plains
below.
Here, in 1892, my wife and I had the novel experi-
ence of building a house, and very fascinating it was.
Four good rooms with dressing and bath to each of the
two bedrooms, wooden ceilings, papered walls, English
doors and windows. This, with a cookhouse, servants'
quarters and two stalls, cost us just Rs. 6,000, or say
450. It could not be done for three times that amount
now.
At the end of my tenure as adjutant I was offered the
post of inspector of musketry at Meerut. This was in
February, but the telegram said the appointment would
90 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
not be vacant until May. Accepting this offer, I went off
into the jungle to shoot.
Three days later a runner came into my camp at midnight
with an " immediate " letter from the adjutant to say the
battalion had been mobilised and was very shortly railing
to Nowshera to join the Chitral Expedition. This was on
a Sunday, and between Monday morning and Friday night
I had cancelled my acceptance of the staff appointment,
sold my house for seven thousand rupees, packed my things,
started my wife and boy for England,[and joined the battalion
entraining for the front, at the nearest railway station.
Quick and never-ceasing work, all day and most of the
night, but so great was my joy at the chance of active
service at last, after so many bitter disappointments during
twelve long years, that no fatigue whatever was felt,
and all the preparations for departure were a labour of
love.
Imagine then my pain, grief and mortification when
shortly after arrival at Hoti Mardan, near the frontier, a
reply came to my letter about the staff appointment,
addressed to the C.O. as follows :
" Chief sympathises with application, but cannot accept
any resignation Stop Captain Woodyatt must join at
Meerut immediately as appointment unexpectedly become
vacant now."
It was well known that the Commander-in-Chief, Sir
George White, held very strong views about staff officers
relinquishing their appointments simply to rejoin their
regiments ordered on active service. Undoubtedly this was
a sound principle, but I held that mine was an entirely
different case, for no advantage whatever had accrued to
me from the appointment, which, moreover, I had declined
three months before it was vacant. Colonel Hutchinson
was kindness itself, sending many official and private
telegrams, begging that I might be allowed to remain, even
if only for two or three months. None, however, were of
any avail, the last reply being :
" If Captain Woodyatt does not join his appointment
at Meerut immediately he will incur the severe displeasure
of the C.-in-C."
Just another case of slavish adoption of a rule combined
with a large slice of injustice ! Bringing me this wire
himself the C.O. said : "I'm dreadfully sorry, but you'll
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 91
have to go, my boy. You can't fight the Chief ! " The
very next day, as the battalion marched on to Dargai and
over the frontier, I was returning disconsolate in a tonga
to Nowshera railway station and, as we sped along, I rather
think it was a case of bitter tears.
Hoti Mardan is the head-quarters of the famous " Guides,"
the infantry portion of which corps I was to have the
honour of including in my war brigade twenty years later.
Our brigadier was the late General Channer, V.C., with
Horace Smith-Dorrien as his staff officer. The general
was most particular about being saluted at all times, and
came to the C.O.'s tent very angry one day to say one
of our stick sentries on the boundary of the camp had
failed to do so. I was sent for, as it was my wing,
and told to get hold of the man and bring him up
at once. Turning to go I noticed the G.O.C. remained
on, and was wearing a black mourning band on his left
arm.
The sentry turned out to be a nice little Gurkha I knew
well, a good football player, but very stolid and rather
thick-headed. The colonel, being vexed, was somewhat rough
with him. After some questions, without any intelligent
answer, the general chipped in, saying, in the vernacular :
" If you don't know your own general you ought to, and
who indeed did you suppose I was ? " Looking hard at
his arm band the boy replied, " Bomb police ! " That is
to say, one of the military provost establishment called that
by the men, and wearing a broad badge on the arm, though
it is usually red.
Another curious episode at Mardan was the behaviour
of a senior officer sent to us for Colonel Hutchinson to report
on, after a fixed period, as his conduct had been very peculiar
in his last unit. We had one tree in camp, on the southern
edge, and, it being very hot, this officer, building an arbour
in the branches, insisted on living, sleeping and feeding
there. The colonel told the adjutant to warn this arboreous
person that he must live like the other officers, but no
notice whatever was taken.
On the evening of the third day, Colonel Hutchinson
came and asked me to use my influence, pointing out that,
although the major's action could hardly be called insub-
ordinate or against rule, it was highly ridiculous, nor had
he any business to be living out of the mess. I could see
92 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
the colonel was much averse to drastic action, but was very
hipped at being made a fool of.
I explained to him that everything possible had already
been done, but arguments were quite useless ; that the
tree was full of tinned tongues, pate de foie gras, bottled
beer and all sorts of luxuries, obtained by parcel post ;
and that the incumbent absolutely refused to come down,
except to go to parades, etc.
Waxing wroth, the C.O. said, " Come along, we'll soon
settle the matter," and off we went to the foot of the
tree.
What followed was so funny that I was in real pain trying
to suppress the laughter I couldn't very well indulge in.
The colonel began in rather cajoling accents, looking up
into the branches from the ground, and begging our friend
to stop that kind of thing and come down. Then he tried
to point out what a ridiculous ass the man was making of
himself ; next he talked about discipline, and finally, getting
very angry, declared his report would be exceedingly bad,
leading to a very serious situation.
Peering down from his leafy arbour, this funny old bird
took it all with the greatest good-humour, saying his head
would not stand the heat below, that he was paying for his
messing as usual, and wouldn't the colonel and I come up
and dine with him ! As an inducement he told us he had
just received, by post, fresh butter from Aligarh, potatoes
from Kumaon, a ham from Green & Reade, Bombay, and
pastry from Peliti at Simla all of which was quite true.
Absolutely defeated, the C.O. stumped off, white with rage,
and a few hours later came the order for the battalion to
cross the frontier in two days' time. A year or two later
this poor tree-dwelling major had to be confined as a dan-
gerous lunatic.
My new appointment brought me into close touch with
Colonel W. Hill, 1 the A.A.G. musketry army headquarters.
There are probably more anecdotes about " old Hill," as he
was affectionately called, than any other soldier in India.
Possessing great humour, much facility of expression, a
somewhat pugnacious nature, and a nimble and virile pen,
his noting on files at A.H.Q., and his quaint and humorous
1 The late Major-General W. Hill, C.B., who died in 1903 while
G.O.C. Mhow Division.
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 93
letters and sayings, were a perfect joy to the recipients.
At the same time his sound judgment, irregular and rugged
features, twinkling grey eyes and charming manner when
he liked made him very popular and his company much
sought after.
It was the custom for the Commander-in-Chief to fit the
Meerut Rifle Meeting (the Bisley of India) into his cold-
weather tour, and, after making an address, give away the
prizes. I was present at the visits of Lord Roberts, Sir G.
White, Sir W. Lockhart, Lord Kitchener, etc. When Lord
Kitchener came he was most fussy about where he was to
stand to speak, and made me pile huge palms round his
lectern ; so much so that he was almost hidden away. He
also ordered me to produce a shorthand writer who was to
be close to him, but quite invisible. I asked FitzGerald
what his use was, as I knew there were lots of copies of the
Chief's words. FitzGerald said heaven only knew what
was often in Kitchener's mind, but it didn't do to argue
about it ! So I got one with much difficulty, an army
schoolmaster, but the poor devil had to sit on a brick between
two large palms, and sit there for the dickens of a long
time.
Apropos Colonel Hill, when he was commanding the 1st
brigade 2nd Gurkhas at Dehra Dun, many amusing anec-
dotes can be told. His divisional commander was Sir
George Greaves and the two had many a tussle, for although
they much respected each other at heart, their natures were
rather antagonistic.
One year Sir George gave a big money prize for a collective
musketry competition open to all units in the division, both
British and Indian, and which the general was very anxious
a certain British unit should win. Hill gave out openly
that he intended to win it with his Gurkhas from Dehra
Dun, and this much annoyed the divisional commander.
The competition took place at Meerut and the Gurkhas
won, to Sir George's intense disgust. To prevent the
Gurkhas perpetuating their victory in the shape of a
mess trophy, he personally directed that the money was
to be given to the members of the team, and on no
account expended on the purchase of a memento of the
occasion.
At the next inspection dinner at Dehra Dun, Colonel Hill
led in the general, and straight in front of the latter, on the
94 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
table, was a handsome silver cigarette box. Sir George
could see there was some engraving on top, but all he
could read without taking out his glasses was the title
of the match, the date and his own name. Fidgeting
a good deal all through dinner and drinking much more
wine than he needed, the general waited impatiently for
the cloth to be removed. Then turning to his left he
said :
" Look here, Hill, I told you distinctly that the prize
for my musketry competition was a money one, to be given
to the team, and now I see this box ? "
" Quite all right," said Hill, " the money was paid to the
men in the acquittance roll for the month of March,
and I got this box out of regimental funds as a memento
of the occasion, for the men were very pleased at beat-
ing all the British teams. If you look at the inscription
you will see it only says it is a regimental memento of
a competition for a money prize given by you, and won by
the men of the 2nd Gurkhas ! " There was no more to be
said.
On another occasion, trouble having occurred in a certain
unit's canteen accounts, the Meerut staff, by the general's
orders, issued some instructions for guidance, " to be strictly
adhered to and a report submitted before such and such a
date." Now certain Indian units, but very few, maintain
a canteen, and fit was known the 2nd Gurkhas had one,
in order to sell rum and beer to the men. The fund,
however, was entirely a private one and in no way official.
Failing to get any reply from Dehra Dun, a somewhat rude
reminder was issued by the staff, in reply to which Colonel
Hill wrote at the bottom in red ink :
" The Divisional Commander has no more to do with my
canteen than the Czar of Russia."
For this he got a rap over the knuckles.
The Meerut Divisional headquarters always moved to
Mussoorie for the summer, which is a hill station in the
United Provinces, consisting of a main ridge with various
offshoots some 6,500 feet above sea-level. It runs roughly
east and west and overlooks Dehra Dun on its southern
side. At the eastern end is the small military cantonment
of Landour, some 7,200 feet high. In the centre, two miles
lower down, is the main station, and at the western end, up
to two miles or so from the centre, are hotels, residential
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 95
houses, etc., on wooded slopes and spurs. Dehra Dun by
road is fourteen miles from Mussoorie, and about half-way
is the hamlet of Raj pore, the changing station from motors,
tongas, etc., to hill pony or dandy.
At the end of one season, Sir George Greaves decided to
give everyone a treat by having a sham fight in which he
would defend Mussoorie with the volunteers, cadets of three
or four schools, and the few British details at Landour,
against a force of mountain artillery and Gurkhas from
Dehra Dun under the command of Colonel Hill. At the
conclusion there would be a big luncheon given by Sir
George.
As the approaches from the south were much the shortest
and fairly easy, though wooded, and those towards Landour
led up steep precipices, the general considered this flank
secure and, practically ignoring it, disposed his forces on
or about the centre of the main ridge. On the appointed
day, Colonel Hill, moving to Raj pore the evening before,
left again long before dawn, with half his strength, to tackle
the eastern part of the Landour end. This had always
been considered absolutely impracticable, but Hill had
ascertained, by secret reconnaissance, that it was danger-
ously possible.
Meanwhile, at the decent hour of 8 a.m., the remainder
of his force feinted in front and slowly pushed in Sir
George's advanced posts. There was no real attempt,
however, to force an attack on the main ridge, and as the
luncheon hour drew nigh the general got more and more
contemptuous of Hill's futile efforts and slow movements,
whilst he drew in closer and closer his extended flanks.
At last an adjournment was made for lunch, and in the
middle of it a flag of truce was received from Hill with
the message :
" Arrived Landour i p.m. with one section mountain
artillery and 400 Gurkhas. Garrison overpowered and
guns now in action entirely dominating your defensive
position."
In a towering rage the general dictated the following
reply :
" Have been strengthened by two battalions of British
infantry from Chakrata [thirty miles off, and therefore
quite impossible]. Shall attack you on a wide front. What
do you intend to do ? "
96 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
To which the answer came in about an hour :
" Have been reinforced by the angel Gabriel and a
company of cherubims and intend to remain where I
am ! "
And he was left alone, to rest there for the night after his
arduous feat, which very few would have dared to attempt.
None of the British officers, even the strongest and boldest,
had been able to climb up without assistance from the men
As for the guns, it is a marvel how they were got there, even
with the amount of rope provided.
As A.A.G. musketry, Colonel Hill had a considerable
amount of touring. The regulations permitted him to take
one horse always, or two, " if the second one was absolutely
necessary." Having continuous trouble over his travelling
bills with pettifogging baboos of the Military Accounts
department, he was much exasperated when his claim for
two horses to Rawalpindi was cut down half. Asking for
a refund as two horses had actually been taken there, he
was told it was contrary to the regulations and could not
be admitted. Pointing out, in a still further letter, the
words in the book as put in inverted commas above, the
pay people replied that it was essential for the adjutant-
general to certify that two horses were absolutely necessary.
This was too much for old Hill, and getting out his red ink
he wrote across this :
" Am I really to understand that the officers of the Pay
Department can possibly imagine I take these two horses
about for the benefit of their health ? " !
The money was refunded at once, but we all got a con-
fidential circular shortly afterwards, saying it had come to
the notice of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief that
officers were in the habit of writing most improper remarks
in military accounts departmental correspondence, which
must cease immediately, etc., etc.
During one of his tours Colonel Hill attended a concen-
tration held in my musketry circle, the occasion being an
attack by an infantry brigade, with ball, on an enemy in
position, represented by targets. In those days the order was
that, at any pause in an attack, infantry would " kneel " !
The commander having omitted to make any personal recon-
naissance, the attack failed, but the supports and reserves
had been brought close up, and on a huge frontage was a
long extended line, with other lines behind, but no strength
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 97
anywhere. Failing to see any objective the first line halted,
and then the lines in rear did the same. Colonel Hill was
standing near me with a very red face, on which was a most
humorous look accentuated by the fact that, to ease his
eyes, he had turned his old-fashioned helmet back to front.
Then he spoke :
" Wherever I look I see lines upon lines of men in a
devotional attitude. It seems to me about time to offer
up prayers for those at sea ! " The infantry colonel
commanding the brigade for the day, certainly was very
much at sea.
Like so many good soldiers, Colonel Hill had a horror of
red tape and often told me how he found himself simply
tied up in it at Simla. "I'm a pretty good fighter," he
would say, " but neither abuse, sarcasm, satire, sneers, nor
even concrete facts have a dog's chance when the methods
of babooism rule the roost." After fighting for a long period
to get the Volunteers in India better armed and equipped
and their Martini-Henry rifles exchanged for the '303, he
was given to understand that the matter was settled. Then
a sudden hitch called an indefinite postponement. Unable
to restrain his indignation, he put up a long note to the
Ordnance department, from which I quote the following
amusing passages :
* " . . . As regards the Volunteers, the question of their
being re-armed can be dropped for at least eight or nine
years.
" I am very, very greatly relieved at this, for, having
done a good deal of writing and talking on the subject, I
have been much exercised in my mind about the Volunteer
question, and it has been a terrible anxiety and responsibility
to me.
" It was soon borne in upon me that I had made a huge
blunder. I was interfering in a matter that in no way
concerned the technicalities of musketry instruction. I
felt as a man would feel who had picked up a bundle in the
street and found it contained a 'baby, and no one would
believe that he was altogether innocent, and refused to
relieve him of the responsibility.
" This infernal foundling has been as a millstone round
my neck, and, as a lot of Volunteers have managed to
persuade themselves that the responsibility for the
maintenance and education of this cuckoo in my nest is
G
98 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
rightly placed on me, I have had frequently to deny my
responsibility in unmeasured terms, when heckled on the
subject.
" My long-suffering patience and sincere penitence for
my indiscretion in mixing myself up in matters that do not
concern me, have at last been rewarded, and I go forth a
free man, free of the shame, pain and humiliation (as Mr.
Thorburn 1 would say) connected with the responsibility
for this unclaimed and abandoned brat the Indian
Volunteer.
" If I ever hear of the subject again, it will perhaps be
when I am killing time, in the smoking-room of a Pall Mall
club, by reading some weekly Indian newspaper, in which
mention is made of the proposal to re-arm the Volunteers
in India as being ' under consideration.'
" I shall be able to look back on the time when I destroyed
many quires of good foolscap on the subject and be able
joyfully to exclaim, ' Vive la bagatelle ! '
When the late General Hill was inspector-general of
Volunteers in India, he was suddenly taken extremely ill
at Meerut in February, 1903. Partially recovering, he was
promoted to the command of the Mhow Division, but in
September went to England for medical advice. An oper-
ation revealed a malignant growth too far gone for the
surgeon's knife. The verdict was six months in agony.
Fortunately a clot of blood intervened, and he died the
same evening. This was a truly cruel fate, for he had then
gained the entire confidence of Lord Kitchener, who con-
sulted him on the weightiest matters, and especially on the
delicate question of the renumbering of the Indian Army.
Had he lived and kept his health, there was nothing but age
to stop him.
My first divisional commander at Meerut was General
Sanford, referred to before as the young field engineer at
the time of the loth Hussar catastrophe crossing the Kabul
River.
General Sanford was succeeded by that well-known soldier
and great shikari, Sir Bindon Blood, later to pass on
to the command of the Northern Army at Rawalpindi.
Handsome, debonair, imperturbable, always well mounted
1 A Punjab civilian who publicly censured the Viceroy (Lord
Elgin) in 1898 for his pusillanimous policy on the N.W. Frontier,
and used the above words in his speech.
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 99
and ever the picture of health, Bindon was a popular
commander, and Lady Bindon and he were a great social
success.
It was at their house in Meerut I first met the Misses
Lieter (now Mrs. Colin Campbell and Lady Suffolk), on a
visit to India at the invitation of their sister, Lady Curzon.
Their enjoyment of life, keenness to see and do everything,
and their quaint American sayings, fairly astonished the
place. Nothing was too trivial for their notice and nothing
too small for their curiosity.
Daisy was very good-looking and very vivacious. One
night at the Bloods the late Maharajah of Patiala was teach-
ing her after dinner how to balance a rupee on her elbow,
and catch it by a downward flick of the arm, at which
she was shaping very badly. At last Patiala almost lost
patience, for he had been doing a lot of groping about on
the floor for her fallen rupees. Again placing the coin
on his elbow, he said : " It's dreadfully easy ; all you have
to do is this (catching it deftly) and say ' Lawks a daisy ' ! "
Which was rather smart.
Another visitor to the Bloods was Winston Churchill,
then a subaltern in the 4th Hussars, and chiefly remarkable
for his extreme precociousness and a never-ending tendency
to make absurd assertions on purpose to create discussion.
This didn't make him too popular, but at the same time
everyone recognised his brain power and general ability.
It was common knowledge that, although only a junior
subaltern, he practically " ran " the 4th Hussars. He
used to come out on field days with Sir Bindon, freely
criticising all movements, and the fact that he was very
often right, and that the general frequently followed his
advice and suggestions, did not make his intrusion any
more welcome !
During the polo week in Meerut, Sir Baker Russell, the
general of the command, gave a large dinner party.. One
of Sir Baker's idiosyncrasies was to march straight into
the dining-room with the senior lady, the moment the clock
struck eight. He would wait for no one. If a man was
late, Baker, who had an enormous voice, would shout at
him from where he sat, and whatever his rank, somewhat
as follows : " There you are, Jones, there you are, left
hand of Lady Russell ; if the ladies can be in time I don't
know why you can't."
ioo UNDER TEN VICEROYS
The poor devil would then slink to his seat. At Naini
Tal one night, Lomax, commanding the Cameronians, was
a bit late, and above is exactly what happened. But in
his case it was much worse because, having ridden, he had
tucked his coat-tails into his trousers' pockets, and in his
haste to get into the dining-room had forgotten to take
them out ! So he walked round the long table looking
rather ridiculous, though quite unaware of it.
On this particular evening Winston was late, and though
Sir Baker, at eight o'clock, walked into the dining-room
as usual, he went half round the table to greet young
Churchill when he came in, a thing I had never seen him
do before. When the ladies had gone I sat next to Baker,
and " Boy " Maclaren of the I3th Hussars, his A.D.C.,
came and sat on the other side of me. Presently we heard
a hubbub at the bottom of the table. It appears Reggie
Hoare, of the 4th Hussars, had been out pigsticking for the
first time that day and, having got into a pig, was describing
his glorious sensation as the spear went home after so
hard a gallop. " Yes," said Winston, in a loud voice,
" that's a weak spot about fox hunting ; I've always said
the field should carry spears to jab into the fox at the finish."
At this, of course, there were shouts of satirical laughter
and, Baker asking the reason, Winston told him what he
had said. " What about the hounds, my boy, what about
the hounds ? " remarked Sir Baker.
Shortly afterwards there was another uproar, with angry
voices, and " Boy " Maclaren, nudging me, said : " That's
young Churchill raising another discussion." Now all
the men at the table except myself belonged to British
cavalry, and Churchill had been getting their backs up
by saying that no commander would think of taking
British cavalry on service if he could get Indian instead !
Appealing to Sir Baker, he asked what he'd prefer him-
self : " Oh well," said the general, rather flustered, " it
all depends on the transport. If I had plenty I would
always take British Cavalry, but otherwise Indian, be-
cause they require so little," which seemed a very good
answer.
About this time Churchill gave out that he was leaving
the service and going in for politics, but was very reserved
as regards his views. Sir Bindon was reported to have
begged him to make up his mind, and then stick to his
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 101
party through thick and thin, so as to gain and retain the
confidence of the British public. This advice Winston
received in stony silence. Sir Bindon, not to be beaten,
went on to dilate on the respective careers of Gladstone
and Beaconsfield and the esteem in which they were both
held by the British public. He instanced the fact that
the former, though sometimes lacking in judgment, was
considered straight and trusted accordingly; whereas a
feeling that Beaconsfield's policy was apt to be Machiavellian
militated against this same feeling of confidence.
The following story gives a good insight into the impulsive
character, pluck and good-nature of Mr. Churchill, as a
boy. It was at the time when ragging was much in vogue,
and subalterns' courts-martial of frequent occurrence.
The 4th Hussars at Mhow had occasion to hold several,
and unjustly put on the mat a young officer who had lately
joined for the purpose of going to the Indian Army. Having
been asked what his allowance was, and then how he
expected to live on that sum in the 4th, he replied that he
had no intention of doing so ; but, having been offered
cavalry by the War Office, he had taken it to gain his
commission early, and as soon as possible was transferring
to an Indian corps.
Being bullied by Churchill and told that the 4th were
not accustomed to be turned into a dak bungalow* this
officer waxed wrath, telling him that, as he seemed the most
aggressive spirit present, perhaps he would like to come
outside, and see which was the better man. Churchill
consented at once and a scrap took place. Now the young
prisoner under trial happened to have been the public
schools middle-weight champion the year before, and he
soon knocked spots out of his opponent. In spite of this,
he maintains that Churchill bore him no ill-will what-
ever, but during the remainder of his time in the 4th was
particularly nice to him.
The fact of having the lieutenant-general sitting on his
head in Meerut, because he had no proper cold weather
head-quarters, was extremely obnoxious to Sir Bindon
Blood, and he took no trouble to hide it. I had much
touring to do and, one day, while some distance away, I
received an urgent wire from Sir Baker's chief staff officer,
to return immediately. Wondering what it meant, I reported
1 Staging house.
102 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
myself at once to Colonel Henry on arrival, who explained
the situation as follows :
" There's to be a big divisional field firing to-morrow,
which is, of course, directly under the divisional commander's
(Sir Bindon Blood) orders. Baker intends to be present,
and as there is some friction between the two, it is quite
likely Baker will interfere, and there will be a row. This
would be a great pity, for, between ourselves, Bindon is
as big a man as Baker. I've therefore sent for you to go
with the latter and keep him quiet. Keep him amused
and moving about and, whatever you do, keep him
away from Bindon. I'm chief umpire, and I've got the
rest of the staff disposed of on purpose, so you'll be all
alone."
All went well at first and I got Baker ahead with the cavalry,
but when the infantry came into action, he began looking
round at them and got fidgety. I tried to persuade him
to come over to the guns to see how they were support-
ing the infantry attack. We cantered that way, when
some infantry volleys from an unexpected quarter
attracted his attention and, turning off, he galloped in that
direction.
Like the old war horse he was, the sound of heavy firing
was too much for him, and, pushing his mount right into
the firing line, he took charge of battalions, companies,
and even sections ! I still hoped it might be all right, as
there was no sign of Bindon, but when the situation became
critical and the reserves were much too far behind, Baker,
to my horror, bawled to his trumpeter to sound the " Cease
fire," foUowed by the " Officers' call."
This was, of course, a great breach of etiquette, and the
fat was in the fire. Bindon came up with the rest, looking
extremely annoyed, and a wordy war commenced by Baker
asking who was the officer commanding the reserves.
" I consider," he said, " that he entirely failed to grasp
the situation and kept his troops much too far behind.
For that reason I sounded the ' Cease fire. ' "
Bindon told him he begged to differ ; that the officer
had acted quite judiciously under his orders, and had the
attack not been stopped prematurely it would have been
quite all right.
So it went on, until Baker, leaning over his holsters,
said, with a very red face : " Well, well, Sir Bindon, all I
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 103
can say is that this, this, this field day would never have
passed the Duke of Cambridge at Aldershot."
Bindon's only answer was a loud guffaw ! I had a very
poor ride of seven miles home with Sir Baker, my dejection
enhanced by the thought that I had completely failed in
my somewhat impossible task !
Sir Baker and Lady Russell, with their niece, Miss Long,
dispensed lavish hospitality at Naini Tal, where they were
greatly liked. At " Hawksdale " everyone was assured
of a warm welcome, and each felt that the hosts were
devoting themselves entirely to the care, comfort and
amusement of their guests.
Dining one night in the R.A. mess at Meerut, I had pointed
out to me two very handsome glass jugs used for cham-
pagne. They were wonderfully cut, with beautiful guns
and gun carriages. They were the very last of the glass
belonging to the old Bengal Artillery, priceless and irre-
placeable. I duly admired the first one that appeared,
and we then discussed duck shooting, the pace the birds
went, etc.
By this time the wine had come round again. After
moving on a heavy marsala decanter to my next-door
neighbour, I passed one of the wonderful glass jugs after
it. At the same time I was answering a query by suggesting
that someone was omitting to swing sufficiently at the
duck. This gave my hand an unconscious whirl, and bang
went the jug into the marsala decanter and broke to bits.
The man on my left had gone to sleep, and had failed
to pass on the marsala ! Never have I felt so miser-
able, and I spent the rest of the evening in gloomy
silence.
A few weeks afterwards I was dining in the R.A. mess
again. When the wine came round there was the one
solitary jug, which I dare hardly look at. To my confusion,
my host began expatiating on its beauty, adding : " We
had two until quite lately, when some swine broke one."
I then had to admit 7 was that swine !
Many years afterwards I dined in the same mess on a
Sunday evening with L. A. Smith, a horse gunner, the
only officer in Meerut who had been there in the old days.
We dined at round tables, and after dinner Smith asked
me if I remembered breaking the jug. Begging him not
to talk about it as it was so painful, he told me, to my
104 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
joy, that it had been nicely mended, and sent for it. I took
it in my hands with the utmost care, and noted how beauti-
fully the work had been done. Then I handed it back to
the mess sergeant ; but a captain at the next table, wonder-
ing why the jug had been producd, called for it. He had
not heard our conversation, but turning the jug over and
over, and noting the tiny black marks, he looked towards
Smith and said : " What swine broke it ? " I thought
Smith would never stop laughing, and I felt that penance
for my untimely mishap was paid in full.
In the early part of the South African War, we were at
Mussoorie. As news travelled slowly to outlying stations
like Chakrata (thirty miles away by a hill road, and occupied
by one British infantry battalion and British details), we
used to send on daily, by helio, any interesting information
received. The officer in charge of signals, named Mackenzie,
was a lively young man with a marked predilection for
practical joking. One day, having transmitted some per-
fectly authentic intelligence, he added on his own : "Sir
George White and staff were captured by the Boers yesterday
when engaged on reconnaissance duty, and having luncheon
outside the defences of Ladysmith."
As it happened, Sir Bindon Blood was marching over to
inspect Chakrata, and due there the following day. The
O.C., on getting this important piece of news, immediately
rode out ten miles to Sir Bindon's resting-place for that
night to tell him about it. The General expressed no
astonishment, saying it was just the sort of thing that might
have happened. During his stay at Chakrata Sir Bindon
could talk of little else, adding, that it also meant he was
bound now to be sent out there himself. Cutting his
tour down considerably, he hurriedly returned to Mussoorie,
only to find the whole thing was a hoax ! All the same, he
was sent out to South Africa shortly afterwards.
One would have expected Mackenzie to get badly hotted,
but all the general directed was that he must be had up
and wigged officially by his C.O., and that in future no
messages whatever were to be sent by signal until signed
by the O.C. Station personally.
Gallant Sir George White, what a brave heart he had.
It was bad enough to be shut up in Ladysmith without
suffering the indignity of being a prisoner in the hands of
the Boers. All soldiers loved him for the prompt way in
WINSTON THE OUTSPOKEN 105
which he made himself entirely responsible for Carleton's
disaster in South Africa at Nicholson Nek in 1899, although
he had nothing at all to do with it. So different from
many more recent happenings, when the cry has too often
been, " Where's the scapegoat ? " One instinctively knows
what would have been Sir George White's action in the
Dyer Case.
CHAPTER IX
KITCHENER AND CURZON
WHEN I was at Peshawar in 1884, on first
arrival in India, one of the Cheshires, at
the club, pointed out to me a captain named
Faithful, who had not been home for fifteen
years. I remember still, my feeling of astonishment that
anyone could possibly stay out so long, and walked round
him to get a better view of so interesting a phenomenon.
He looked very much the same as the others and extra-
ordinarily fit, but to a new-comer, just out, it did appear
weird that he could, in any circumstances, willingly consent
to so long a separation from relations and friends in England.
Yet, what with desirable appointments, and one thing
and another, here I was in very much the same plight ;
for it was nearly twelve and a half years before I put
foot on English soil after my first departure in December,
1883.
Naturally I thought that everything would be very
strange, that my friends would have all forgotten me,
that my people would have acquired other and closer inter-
ests in fact, that I was bound to feel completely out of
it. Exactly the opposite was the case. After a few hours
in England I felt as if I had never left it ; my people were
delighted to welcome me, and old friendships seemed only
strengthened by the long absence. My boy friends had
come into their properties, or otherwise settled down.
Many of them had married. The girl friends had mostly
taken to themselves husbands, so that the circle of friendship
was soon to be largely increased.
One of the first functions we attended was an " At Home,"
in London, given by my old friend, Mabel Cornwallis,
whom I had known from her cradle. The occasion marked
the presentation by her at Court of her sister, Isobel Wood-
106
KITCHENER AND CURZON 107
house. It was a very warm, sultry afternoon in June,
but a frock-coat was absolutely essential. Entering a
crowded and very long drawing-room, I felt extremely
hot in this kit. Much movement and a babel of voices
prevented our names being heard, and blocked every
avenue of approach to our hostess. Fortunately, being very
tall herself, she spotted me, and calling out, " There's dear
old Nigel, I always said I should kiss him/' ran towards
me and did so.
Now, being unexpectedly kissed by a tall and beautiful
woman in a drawing-room filled with people, half of whom
appeared strangers, was a novelty I had never experienced
in India, and was too much for me. Losing my head, I
felt so rattled that I immediately kissed her sister, and
any other lady I was introduced to, if there seemed the
slightest tendency on her part to treat me as an old friend.
It was quite delightful, but very fatiguing ; so much so
that, at the first opportunity, I slipped away to try and
get cool in the open air. I had an engagement with my
tailor and, being in Knightsbridge, got on top of the first
'bus I saw, to take me to Piccadilly. My head was in such
a whirl that I took no notice of the direction I was going,
and was only brought down to earth when the red-faced old
coachman, turning from his box-seat towards me, said :
" We don't go no furder." I was in Hammersmith and
not Piccadilly !
Looking back on these delightful, careless days, as we
lived and moved in our atmosphere of happiness, how
little did we know what was to come. Small troubles and
disappointments of course occurred, but catastrophes were
rare and tragedies uncommon.
Take the chief actors in this little incident alone. Mrs.
Cornwallis lost her eldest son in the iyth Lancers this
summer. Ruthlessly murdered in Ireland after going
through the whole war unscathed, and gaining the Military
Cross and Croix de Guene for continual gallantry with
his machine guns.
Mrs. Woodhouse was visited with even greater affliction,
losing first her second, and then her oldest son in aerial
combat in France. An intrepid and accomplished airman,
the last-named gained both the Distinguished Flying
and Military Crosses for repeated acts of bravery and
resource.
io8 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
We ourselves mourn for our only boy, Nigel, killed
whilst leading his men in the attack on Fort Dujela in
Mesopotamia, 8th March, 1916. We like to think he died
just ahead of his Gurkhas, as he would wish to die.
He had " one crowded hour of glorious life," and who
would deny him that ? It is not those that go like this
for whom we feel sorrow, but for those who are left be-
hind. Truly " a sorrow's crown of sorrow is remembering
happier things."
In all such affliction we have the great solace of old
friendship. It is well not to forget this. One of my
oldest friends, who has had her deep sorrow too, in the loss
of her only son hi the war, gave me the following lines,
years ago, and I have always treasured them :
" There are no friends like the old friends,
Live as long as you may ;
The new friends fail and change you,
But the old are the old alway ;
And oh ! when around life's pathway
The shades of the evening grow,
God spare me but one of the old friends
To grasp my hand as I go."
Shortly after return to India from my first leave home,
I was promoted to the command head-quarters and stationed
at Naini Tal, the summer capital of the United Provinces.
When the Tirah force was mobilised in August, 1897, the
first battalion of my regiment was ordered off at once.
Sir Baker Russell, my general, and at my earnest request,
put me into a vacancy which existed in the unit. Great
was my joy and hasty my preparations to meet the battalion
at railhead. Alas ! just as I was starting, a wire from Simla
notified that, as I was a seconded officer, I could not go, and
someone else must be sent in my place. Words fail me
for any comment on this.
The Tirah campaign was badly handled. Sir William
Lockhart, in chief command, was a very sick man, and
General (afterwards Lord) Nicholson, his chief staff officer,
was so incompetent for such a task, and had such an offen-
sive manner with all the commanders, that everything was
at sixes and sevens. He actually ran the whole show,
which was remarkable for an entire absence of any kind
of plan, even a bad one. With such an utter lack of
imagination, and no endeavour whatever to forestall the
KITCHENER AND CURZON 109
enemy on any occasion, <the campaign could hardly end,
except as it did, in a rather ignominious retreat down
the Bara Valley. One might indeed say the best bit
of work was that done by the improvised corps of hill
scouts.
I heard of one amusing incident. A friend of mine was
commanding a contingent of Imperial Service troops, i.e.
detachment of troops maintained by native states and
lent for the campaign. He got up a dinner for Christmas
with the best means at his disposal. That is to say,
the pudding was tinned, and port was drunk out of egg
cups.
A Mohammedan chief, who had come up to see his troops,
was invited. Paying a ceremonial visit to my friend on
Christmas day, he was shown the arrangements for the
dinner, and noticed there was no tablecloth. On enquiring
why, he was told one could not be procured in the field, or
brought on field service scale.
" But that will never do," said this gentleman, " it
will not be like a real dinner without a white tablecloth.
Now I am a guest, and it will be my privilege to provide
one."
In the late afternoon a very nice, white cloth arrived.
At dinner my friend said : " But how is it, Nawab Sahib,
that on field service scale you have managed to bring
such a beautiful white cloth ? " " Well, major," said the
Nawab, " to tell you the truth, I thought I might be killed
in this war and so I brought my shroud with me, as my
religion demands. As it now appears to me I am safe, I
thought I might lend it you for to-night ! "
Liver trouble in 1900 resulted in eight months' sick leave
home, eventually extended by driblets to a total period of
two years. As during that time I saw twenty- three doctors,
it is somewhat surprising I am still alive ! What exactly
was wrong was never satisfactorily ascertained. It seemed
to me, however, that the well-considered opinion, not of
Harley Street, but of two local practitioners (one in Kent
and one in Dundee), hit the nail on the head. They both
diagnosed the case as an abscess that had dried up of itself.
Sir Lauder Brunton sent me to Carlsbad, where I drank a
great deal of water, and had many " mud baths," but felt
little benefit. Anyhow, as soon as I got back to India, I
entirely recovered at once.
no UNDER TEN VICEROYS
The next event worthy of record is King Edward's Corona-
tion Durbar of January, 1903. The majority of those then
present will agree with me that nothing during the last
many decades has equalled in magnificence of display,
genius of construction, and masterly detail, this wonderful
celebration, commonly called the " Curzon Durbar."
Emanating, as all the detail did, from the imaginative
brain of one man (Lord Curzon), and pushed on from
beginning to end by his tireless energy, this durbar
will always rank as perhaps the most remarkable series
of wonderful pageants and ceremonies the world has ever
seen.
In the elephant state entry Lord Kitchener was a very
fine and conspicuous figure, mounted on his thoroughbred,
" Democrat," a runner in the Derby of 1902. As the horse
insisted on doing the whole processional route sideways,
it must have been very uncomfortable for K. Nor can
one blame the horse much, for Derby runners do not often
see elephants.
This state procession of elephants, with Lord and Lady
Curzon leading, followed by the Duke and Duchess of
Connaught, was a splendid sight, with all the Princes and
Ruling Chiefs behind them in due order on the most richly-
caparisoned animals.
I think the next finest thing was the State ball held in
the Dewan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience of the Emperor
Shah Jehan) at the Fort. The brilliant full-dress uniforms,
wonderful robes and jewels of the Indian nobles, dresses
and diamonds of the ladies, and the surroundings of the
hall itself, combined to create a scene never to be for-
gotten .
I remember very well going to have a look at Mrs. Leiter,
who had a string of diamonds round her neck worth a king's
ransom. Each one was the size of a pea, and outshone
even those of the ruling chiefs. Her daughter, Lady Curzon,
in her peacock gown, looked very beautiful indeed, and
moved about with the grace of a queen.
The supper, served in the Dewan-i-Khas (Hall of Private
Audience), was excellently arranged and served. The
white marble of the chamber, glittering table appointments,
snowy damask, and dazzling electric light, combined to
produce an effect such as I had never seen before. The num-
ber of guests being very large, it was a question of many
page 110
LORD CURZON, WHEN VICEROY OF INDIA, ON HIS SHOOT IN THE
DISTRICT OF GARHWAL, SEPT. 1903.
KITCHENER AND CURZON in
relays, but no one of a fresh relay was allowed to enter
until the whole of the tables had been completely re-
arranged.
There was no such thing as going into a room with the
remains of the last supper being hastily cleared away, or
sitting down at a table with the cloth disfigured by spilt
champagne. All the same, it took a party of British
Dragoons, with lances, outside the doors to keep people
away until everything was ready !
One of the most attractive displays was the review of
native chiefs' retainers, held in the arena, as the huge covered-
in amphitheatre built for the Durbar ceremony was called.
Just a glorious circus, but what a circus ! I'm glad I
saw it, for it is never likely to be repeated on the same
scale. Lord Curzon must regret extremely he was unable
to attend. The review was a procession of these retainers
along the horse-shoe of the arena. It seemed unending,
and took one's breath away with its varied wonders, all so
typical of India and the East.
Irregular horse in chain armour, the horses prancing and
rearing straight up every other stride, as taught to do ;
troops of elephants in wonderful embroidered clothes,
stopping every few yards to trumpet and salaam ; the
famous gold and silver guns from Baroda, drawn by richly-
clad bullocks ; the Maharajah of Alwar's golden three-tiered
carriage, drawn by four elephants clothed in armour; a
dancing elephant which performed all the way round; a
Kashmir giant over eight feet high, and a Patiala dwarf
of thirty inches, accompanied by men on stilts ; horsemen
and foot-soldiers of Kishengarh in the quaintest quilted
uniform; a brilliantly-dressed contingent from Patiala
escorting a gorgeous elephant carrying the Grunth (sacred
Bible) of the Sikhs; the Kashmir horsemen from Gilgit
and Yasin, preceded by dancing musicians in huge, fearsome
masks ; and, lastly, the Shans from the upper valleys of
Burma, with their queer sunshades, fantastic hats and gaily-
coloured dresses.
It made me feel rather proud to belong to a nation that
could cause such wonders to be produced, and whose officers
could stage-manage such a varied assortment of men and
animals, and bring off so marvellous a spectacle without
a single hitch.
The Durbar itself was chiefly remarkable for the cordial
H2 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
reception given to the gth Lancers, as they rode off after
escorting the Duke of Connaught to his seat. There had
been some trouble about them over a case of assault
on an Indian. Rumour, wrong as usual, attributed the
punishment meted out to the direct intervention of the
Viceroy. This was entirely incorrect. The whole matter
had been settled by the Chief in conjunction with Baring
(the Viceroy's military secretary) without any action by
Lord Curzon whatever.
Those who should have known better, and especially many
who were actually the Viceroy's guests, took upon themselves
to display their feelings on this question by most marked
and uproarious applause whenever the gth Lancers appeared.
Done on purpose to annoy the very man who was not only
their host, but whose genius was responsible for provid-
ing them with so much enjoyment.
It is said that the Committee which organised King
George's Durbar in 1911 wished to be nothing if not original.
They would have preferred an entirely new programme of
ceremonies and functions, but force of circumstances com-
pelled them to adhere to a great many of Lord Curzon's
plans. Wherever they differed from them, such as the
omission of the elephant state procession, review of retainers,
state ball, etc., all who had attended both Durbars agreed
that a grave error had been committed.
As guests in Lord Kitchener's camp, my wife and I were
fortunate enough to see everything in great comfort. Wish-
ing to obtain an unbiassed opinion on the Durbar as a whole,
I carefully selected two intelligent acquaintances, who
knew nothing of India, and asked their views. The answer
in both cases was identical, that there was not one single
ceremony, or pageant, which they would not give anything
to see repeated.
After my poor friend General Hill's breakdown in 1903, I
returned to regimental employ, and in the autumn was
ordered to conduct signalling operations from Ranikhet
to Lord Curzon's camps in the hills of Garhwal, where he
was making a sporting tour. This he was induced to do
at the instigation of a Balliol fellow graduate, Mr. J. S. C.
Davis, Indian Civil Service, the Deputy-Commissioner of
Garhwal.
There was some idea that it would be quite possible, with
a base in the telegraph office at Ranikhet, to supply Renter's
KITCHENER AND CURZON 113
news to Lord Curzon, as well as keep up daily communica-
tion with him on matters of State. So it would have been,
had it not happened to be the end of the rains, which were
particularly late that year, and attended by constant
heavy mists.
Selecting a central mountain about 12,000 feet high, I
made that my head-quarters, locating some 120 selected
signallers, both British and Indian, on various intermediate
heights. But it rained and rained and rained, and when
it wasn't raining there was a thick mist, so the duplicate
messages sent by runners were of much more use to the
Viceroy.
On going down some 3,500 feet to his camp, he repeatedly
asked me what I was doing in that " impenetrable mist,"
and was very annoyed that I had not brought down my wife,
as instructed. I explained that my reason for being there
was to try and get his telegrams through to him, and that
my wife couldn't come as I had descended by a goat
track, so steep in parts as to require both hands for
guidance.
He was most solicitous about doing something for her,
and asking if he could send up anything, I mentioned books
and a milch goat. He told me he had nothing in the
reading line but official files, which he thought would not
interest her. The goat turned up, with a case of cham-
pagne, which, although most kind of him to send, we
found rather a white elephant in our onward marches,
being deadly unpalatable at that altitude, especially out
of tin mugs.
By a stroke of good luck, we had one fine morning, which
followed the very evening on which the new Cabinet had
been cabled out from home. This enabled Lord Curzon
to receive in camp, within a few hours of despatch from
England, the names of the new members, and to send con-
gratulatory cables to Alfred Lyttleton, St. John Brodrick,
etc.
It was while dining in one of his camps with the Viceroy
that his unbending formality struck me ; for, although
I understood Davis was an old friend, and we were in
camp miles away from anywhere, he was always " Mr.
Davis," while most of his conversation emphasised the
dignity and prestige which should attach to the person of
the Viceroy of India.
H
H4 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Who doubts, however, that he is a great man ? Will
not history classify him as one of our most highly gifted and
most distinguished Governors-General ? If he had done
nothing more than pass his Bill for the restoration and
preservation of the glorious archaeological monuments of
India, he would have deserved well of the Empire, and his
name would have lived for ever. But when you add to
this the hundred and one projects, improvements and
innovations that mark his regime, you are lost in admiration
at his ability and industry, and marvel at the want of
foresight in his predecessors.
While on the subject of Lord Curzon, mention may
be made of the amazing misconception which exists re-
garding his resignation of the Viceroyalty in November,
1905.
Put bluntly, many seem to think that Lords Curzon and
Kitchener had a row, that "K." won, and consequently
Lord Curzon resigned in a huff.
That is not the case at all. There was of course a serious
controversy between the two over Kitchener's official
condemnation of the cumbrous working of, and undue
influence exercised by, the old military department as
regards military administration in India.
Speaking briefly, "K." strongly objected to the then exist-
ing system whereby the military member of council had
direct access to the Viceroy behind the Chief's back. More-
over, the M.M. was in a position to criticise and even reject
proposals made by the latter without putting them before
the Viceroy at all.
Lord Curzon upheld the system, and advised the Secre-
tary of State against acceptance of the Commander-in-
Chief's proposals. He was overruled by Mr. Brodrick, 1
but he did not resign. He simply gave way.
A new department of military supply was formed to be
represented in the government of India by a member of
council who was to be a soldier. As the first supply mem-
ber the Viceroy nominated Sir E. Barrow of the Indian
Army, and much wished to have him. The Secretary of
State insisted on appointing Major-General Sir C. Scott,
late Royal Artillery.
Lord Curzon protested, without success, and resigned
1 Now Lord Midleton, and then Secretary of State for India.
KITCHENER AND CURZON 115
because he was refused the officer he had selected. Lord
Kitchener took no part in this disagreement. He may,
indeed, have been consulted, may even have been asked to
note ; but, if so, undoubtedly declined to do it, as being
none of his business. 1
The incident naturally caused some excitement in India,
but apparently, being an Indian question, roused little
interest at home ! Happening at that time to be writing
to the late Newnham Davies (the " Dwarf of Blood " of
The Sporting Times), I added a postscript asking what
people were saying about it in London. His reply is
typical : " Bar the fact that Curzon and Kitchener have
had a row, and that Kitchener has come out top dog,
the British public know nothing about the matter, and
cares less."
One of the last functions I attended at Almora was a
full-dress ceremonial parade, as strong as possible, in honour
of the title of " Queen Alexandra's Own," conferred on
the 3rd Gurkhas. The original title (1907) had been
"The Queen's Own," but when the regimental deputation,
consisting of General Hutchinson and the two battalion
commanders, were received by Her Majesty, she said this
title might mean any Queen, and she would like her own
name inserted. King Edward consenting, the regiment
received the present designation.
At this parade a large painting of Queen Alexandra was
placed at the flagstaff, covered with flowers, and each
company saluted it in the march past. On returning home
my wife asked our phlegmatic Gurkha orderly if he knew
what the parade had been for ?
" Yes," he said, " it was because we have now become
the regiment of the great Rani [King's consort] Aleck-
jalander." He then continued : " But we all want to know,
is she the number one wife ? "
My wife tried to explain that Britishers only had one
wife, adding that surely he understood that, because of
the many sahibs he knew.
" Well, yes," said the orderly, " only I thought that was
because officers were too poor to afford more. But with
rich men it is different. For instance, our Badshah [King]
1 The whole of this case is put with admirable clearness and in
a most readable form by Sir George Arthur in his Life of Lord
Kitchener, Vol. II, chapters Ixxi. to Ixxiv.
n6 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
has hundreds, though the number one wife is the only one
of any importance ! "
The same year Kitchener selected me to raise the 2nd
battalion yth Gurkhas at Quetta, with promotion to lieu-
tenant-colonel. The battalion was formed by splitting
the 2/ioth Gurkhas in two and completing each half to
strength. A method of raising an extra unit quickly,
which, as I've said before, would only have occurred to
" K." The question was, which half was I to get ? Think-
ing I was being " jockeyed," when the other O.C. suggested
the left half to me, I insisted on tossing. I lost the toss,
and had to take the left half, but they did me excellently
well.
About a year later, the Chief came up to Quetta. I
had an interview, when the following conversation took
place :
K. How is the battalion getting on ?
Self. Very well indeed, and all ranks very keen.
K. How do the Gurkhas like Quetta ?
Self. They don't like it at all.
K. But, Woodyatt, I hope you understand I want them
to like Quetta.
Self. Well, sir, you can't make them like it to
order.
K. Why don't they like it ?
Self. It is a very long way from their homes : about
1,500 miles by rail, besides the road journeys onwards.
Then the people of Baluchistan are all Mahomedans,
and they can't even talk to them. There is no shooting
or fishing, they hate the bad winds we get, and new barracks
on a stony plain are devoid of all shade.
K. Why don't you plant trees ?
Self. I have planted over three thousand.
K. Well, don't they give any shade ?
Self. At present they are about as big as your walking-
stick.
K. Well, Woodyatt, 7 think Quetta is a very good place
for Gurkhas, and remember I want them to like it, and I'm
sure they will in time.
He was quite right, as usual, and, strange to say, the
men did get to like it very much, and it is now a popular
station with them.
A little later I conceived the idea that it would be a
KITCHENER AND CURZON 117
splendid thing to get Kitchener as Colonel-in-Chief of the
7th Gurkha regiment of two battalions ; but, on sounding
" Birdie " (Sir Wm. Birdwood), he informed me that, much
as the Chief was honoured by the request, and much as he
would like it, unfortunately he was ineligible because of
belonging to the British Service. A postscript said that
Lord Kitchener begged him to add, should be ever become
in any way eligible, nothing would give him greater
pleasure.
At first it seemed a wash-out ; but, on reflection, I
decided to write a special letter, officially, on the question,
and took it to my old friend General Clements, com-
manding the Division, for recommendation and counter
signature.
Clements, having read it, said : " Look here, Nigel, how
the devil can I recommend 'K.' for a job ? " Explaining
that it was a mere matter of form, and I must have his
signature, he snatched up a pen and signed, when I posted
it myself to " Birdie."
Eventually the appointment was gazetted, but how it
was effected I did not learn until I got home in 1909, when,
being at the India Office, I looked up an old friend there,
who greeted me as follows : " Hullo, young man, you'd
better not be seen in this old shop, for you are in bad odour
here." Asking why, he told me that it was on account of
Kitchener's appointment as colonel of the 7th Gurkhas.
He gave me to understand that Mr. (now Lord) Morley,
having received the application, put it in his pocket and,
taking it himself to the King, next time he went to
Buckingham Palace, got it passed. Returning to the
India Office, he chucked it into his basket for necessary
action.
Next morning, however, his secretary brought it back
to him, in much perturbation, explaining that the appoint-
ment was entirely out of order and quite impossible, because
Kitchener did not belong to the Indian Army.
"All right," said Morley, "you take it back to King
Edward, for / won't " ; and through it went. "K.," of
course, was delighted at being an unconscious associate
in a cleavage of red tape, and I escaped myself from the
India Office without being arrested.
We spent almost six years in Quetta, less two visits
home, for eight months each time, in the summer and
n8 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
autumn of 1909 and 1912. Taking into consideration, as
well as its many other advantages, that of climate, we
class Quetta as the best station in India. Though cold in
winter, sometimes very cold, with the thermometer below
zero, it is a jolly, healthy kind of cold, and we just loved
it.
The spring is prolonged until May, or even later, and
never during the summer do you really require a pun-
kah, though used by some sybarites for meals. By the
middle of August the weather had turned cold again
at night, while September is the month usually devoted
to brigade and divisional manoeuvres. Occasionally, in
autumn and winter, you get a cyclone, with a biting
wind which some people found teasing. Personally, I en-
joyed these hurricanes, and, no parade being possible,
wandered over the hills in the snow after chakor, the
red-legged partridge.
The hunting in Quetta used to be very good. We had
to meet in the afternoon, as frost made the ground like
iron in the morning. As a constant follower of the Quetta
hounds, I give the palm, as Master, during my six seasons,
to J. C. R. Gannon, now on Lord Rawlinson's staff in
India. It was customary to lay a drag for a few miles,
and turn down a bagman at the finish. Sometimes he
would go very straight and fast, but always in the
direction of the hills which surround the Quetta plain on
all sides.
One of the most formidable obstacles was the Samungli
brook. Not so very broad, but with treacherous banks and
black surging water that looked horrible. It always pounded
a large portion of the field. One day we had already
crossed it in the drag. Then the bagman, crossing it twice
again, made for the hills over open country, which it had
been hoped he would take when he was originally turned
down. There was soon a tremendous tail and only five
of us, besides the Master and first whip, were up at the
finish. One horse was killed and another so badly lamed
he had to be shot.
The other chief form of obstacle was a ragged ditch called
a " karez," 1 made by the villagers to bring water to their
1 A succession of pits or wells sunk with great courage and labour
by the villagers, often 20 feet to 60 feet deep and more. The
bottoms are connected by a tunnel, to construct which men are
KITCHENER AND CURZON 119
fields or villages. Of very varying width, horribly deep,
and with rotten banks, it was not a pleasant jump at all,
especially on a blown horse. People often went in, and
it was a tremendous business digging the horse out. Some-
times, however, the chasm was so wide that you could
lead your horse along the bottom until you got to a cart
track where the banks had been cut. The Agent to the
Governor-General (Sir H. McMahon) hunted regularly, and
had just turned out in pink as Field Master, when he was
transferred to Simla as Foreign Secretary.
A peculiar feature of Baluchistan is that the birds are
European, the snakes (I seldom saw one) African, and the
wild animals Persian. Chakor are to be found in abundance,
but not very near cantonments after the season has opened
for a month. The thing to do was to take the train for
a journey of an hour or two ; stay the night after shooting,
or try to return the same evening. I could generally
get ten to twenty brace. Really big bags were obtained by
Mr. Beatty, the superintendent of police, and his parties. I
had the pleasure of joining one, when, in two days, four
guns got over one hundred and fifty brace.
These shoots were most enjoyable, except for the methods
employed by Beatty, as well as the civil officials of this
district, to obtain big bags. In Baluchistan water is very
scarce, and chakor will not water at night. Some days
before a shoot, all irrigation channels in the proposed area
were stopped, and " watchers " posted by day at all the
sources of water to prevent the birds drinking.
The result was that they remained in large numbers
near their watering places, hoping for a drink when
restrictions were removed. Coming to the first water-hole,
you put up dozens of birds, and although when really
alarmed they took to the higher slopes and precipices, giving
you lots of climbing, a good many had been bagged by then.
As soon as you shot elsewhere, they came back to their
old haunts, thirstier than ever, poor beggars, and there
you found them again later on. I tried hard to persuade
the chief civil official to get this water stopping put an end
to, but was unsuccessful.
let down in baskets by a hand windlass. Water is conveyed through
the tunnel from a spring in the hills to the low lands. This tunnel
becomes an open ditch as the water level approaches the ground
surface level.
120 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
F. M. Beatty, the superintendent of police, was a
great character, and quite the most interesting person-
ality in the province. He had been there a great num-
ber of years, and wielded an influence amongst the wild
tribesmen far exceeding that of any political. Born
and bred in India, his had been a most varied career
from early manhood, when he drifted into Baluchistan
before even the railway through the Bolan pass was con-
structed.
Blessed with a magnificent physique, good eye and iron
nerve, he was a great sportsman in his younger days,
being a terror on the hillside, and a magnificent shot.
Many are the tales of his prowess after trans-frontier
criminals. Amongst them, credit is given him of having
tracked, followed, run down, and actually knifed his man
over the border, then, of having returned safely to
Quetta, with or without the scalp.
The Indian Staff College was one of Lord Kitchener's
pet schemes, and he was hugely delighted when it became
an accomplished fact. Originally established at Deolali
in 1905, it was transferred to Quetta about two years later,
and when I arrived there it had only been opened a few
months.
An enormous acquisition it was too, with its large staff
of earnest, keen and most hospitable officers. Not only
did it provide, as additional residents, a charming coterie
of delightful people, but its professors set a most excellent
tone which soon influenced, in every way, both the pro-
fessional and social life of the community.
Living next door to the Staff College, as we did, was a
great advantage to me, for, during the period the late
General Capper 1 reigned there, I attended many lectures
and numerous staff rides. It was, indeed, a pleasure to
me to renew my acquaintance with Tommy Capper of the
East Lanes, which soon blossomed into a friendship I
valued very greatly, and which was maintained until he
fell in action at the battle of Loos (September 26, 1915).
I had the greatest admiration for his lofty ideals and
strategic brain, looking upon him as the veritable " Foch "
of the British Army. People will tell you he had his
1 The late Major-General Sir Thompson Capper, K.C.M.G., C.B.,
D.S.O., who commanded the 7th Division, British Army in Flanders
and France.
KITCHENER AND CURZON 121
limitations ; so have we all ; but, as a leader, he was
matchless ; as a strategist, incomparable ; and, as an
instructor, unique.
Having occasion to thank him for some very kind words
he said, before he left Quetta, about my battalion and its
officers, when lent to the Staff College for some night
operations, I mentioned what an advantage I considered
it had been to us in Quetta having a man like himself,
with such high ideals, living beside us. His reply is so
typical of the man, and exemplifies so clearly the high
endeavour by which he was always actuated, that I repro-
duce it in full :
" P. & O.S.N. Co.,
" SS. Caledonia.
" 3 Is t January, 1911.
" MY DEAR WOODYATT,
" Je suis bien touche" a cause de votre lettre. I really
don't think I deserve such eulogies. I have indeed a very
high ideal of the military profession as an ethical calling
affording us all the occasions we want, and more, for train-
ing a high character. But I feel too we don't all at all
recognise this, and there is danger of our weakening on
our own ideals through the feeling that high aims are
really not expected of us.
"It is therefore considerably strengthening to hear of
earnest officers, as yourself, who pursue the same object.
My argument is this the military profession owes its
dignity to the fact that, in its ultimate issue, it demands
the highest self-sacrifice, i.e. the cheerful surrender of
life itself. To be logical, then, we must work back from
this, and regard all the minor forms of self-sacrifice, i.e.
acceptance (instead of avoidance) of responsibility, per-
forming unpleasant duties which we might avoid, and help-
ing comrades to our own material disadvantage, etc., etc.,
as as much our duty as is the self-sacrifice of life, and all
the more so, for these excite no remark and gain us no praise,
indeed sometimes incur us in trouble which we might have
otherwise escaped.
" But it is true that the nation, and the army itself,
have no very high standard in these respects, and there is
danger, unless we do our best to counteract such lowering
influences, to find our own ideals lowered, and a feeling
122 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
growing over us that so little is expected of us that we need
give little.
" It does great good if those of us who do strive for the
dignity of the profession of arms support each other by
encouraging one another in upholding the same view, and
in living in hopes, not unmixed with fear of failure, that
in the day of real trial, we may act up to our fixed
ideals.
" And I feel strongly, and try and impress on those at
the Staff College, that the General Staff, if it is to aspire to
lead the Army, must do so by the constant and habitual
practice and expression of the highest type of self-devotion
all day and every day.
" On no other terms can it, or will it, secure the ungrudging
confidence and esteem of the Army itself. Am I not
right?
" I am afraid this reads like a sermon, but I am sure you
understand me, so I can let myself go.
" There is, however, one point in your letter which I
must disagree with in which you attribute any raising
of the ethical level to me alone. You forget I have been
helped by such people as Boileau, Shea, Waterfield, Franks,
Bird, Drake, etc., etc., who have taken their full share in
any success and I am afraid it is small which we may
have attained.
" Anyway in your gallant regiment we have always felt
we had firm friends and comrades on whom we could rely
for any amount of support.
" Perhaps, who knows, we may some day find ourselves
facing the foe together in earnest, and then we must think
of our ideals, and not allow ourselves to be frightened out
of them.
" But how strengthening it would be if we knew the
whole nation, not the Army alone, thought as we
did.
" Well good-bye my dear Woody att, and good for-
tune be with you, and all yours. I am sure you will bring
up your son in your own footsteps, and then the traditions
will be carried on.
" I wonder what my brigade will think when I begin to
speak of military ethics ? I will need to go gently at
first.
" I expect I will be home before you get this. I hope I
KITCHENER AND CURZON 123
will soon hear you have a high and honourable appoint-
ment, and also will soon be back in England on leave.
" Yours ever,
" (Sgd.) T. CAPPER."
Six months or so later I discussed with him, on paper,
one or two questions, namely :
(a) The grant of commissions in our Indian Army to
Indian gentlemen.
(&) Industrial unrest at home in 1911.
(c) The grave political crisis the same year between
France and Germany over Morocco affairs.
One of his letters in reply is now most interesting in the
face of what actually took place later.
" CLONSKEAGH CASTLE,
"Co. DUBLIN.
" yd September, 1911.
" MY DEAR WOODYATT,
" Many thanks for your long letter.
* * * * *
" I quite agree with you about the many difficulties of
putting the native-born officer on a par with the British.
But I think also with you that it has got to come. I
wonder how it would work to have a one-year volunteer
system for all natives of good family, who could join with
sufficient education and general bearing and standard of
conduct to make them potential officers. The one-year
volunteers would be in the ranks, but would be allowed to
live in separate and more comfortable quarters (at their
own expense) when off parade. At manoeuvres and train-
ing camps they would be with the squadron or company.
From these, a certain number who appeared suitable could
be selected for commissions. I would make them work
their way up through the ranks of native officer, with, if
necessary, accelerated promotion. Thus they could not
reach British officer's rank until fairly well on and experi-
enced. If this transitional measure succeeded, it could be
extended so that British officer's rank was reached earlier.
But I am really too ignorant of the subject to have an
opinion worth hearing. As it stands I take it that
" (a) We have got to do something in the matter soon.
124 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
" (&) When we do something, we want to have guaran-
tees that we make certain that the aspirant is
what we want before admitting him to British
officer's rank.
" We have had an exciting year, and I have had plenty
to do. Besides the regular work, which, being new to me,
gave me plenty to think about (especially as my Brigade
Major and Chief Clerk were also new), there was the King's
visit, which entailed a lot of arrangement. Then came
strikes and riots, and I had to live in my office for three
days and nights. We had to send off two battalions to
England in the middle of one night ; and I had to garrison
three railway stations in Dublin. I thought on Saturday
afternoon (igth August) that we were perilously close to a
class war all over the Kingdom. Once the mob had felt
real hunger, they would have broken out and looted all
the property they could get at. Then the troops would
have had to fire, and thus a class war would have begun.
" Luckily the strike collapsed that night.
" Now, of course, we are in a more or less standing-by
condition in case Germany decides to go on bullying France,
and so forces on a row. To-morrow's (4th September) confer-
ence at Berlin should bring matters to a crisis.
" I think Germany would be stupid to fight such a
palpable war of aggression. She is too much in the wrong.
But you never know what may happen, when a country
suffers generally from such a severe attack of swollen head,
as Germany is suffering from now. I hear that the Emperor
by no means desires war, but that the upper and middle
classes have a bad jingo fit on, and the politicians would
proceed to almost desperate measures in order to quiet the
Socialists who are getting a dangerous strength and threaten
to swamp the Reichstag at the next elections.
"If it is to be war, I don't doubt that I shall be there
or thereabouts pretty soon.
" Altogether, things are fairly exciting, and I have had
plenty to do and think about.
* * * * *
" Kind remembrances to all your party from us both.
" Yours ever,
" (Sgd.) T. CAPPER."
KITCHENER AND CURZON 125
Finally, I reproduce the last letter I got from him as a
brigade commander and before he took over the duties of
inspector of infantry at the Horse Guards. The programme
I gave him was much on the lines of the most practical
inspection I had ever undergone myself. I refer to the
" Kitchener Test," which is described later on, when
writing of Lord Kitchener.
" I3TH BRIGADE,
" LOWER CASTLE YARD,
" DUBLIN.
"1.8th January, 1912.
" MY DEAR WOODYATT, -
" I wanted your advice as to what you consider, from
the point of view of the officer being inspected, is the best
line for a battalion inspection, at the close of its battalion
training, to take.
" We don't get very long for battalion training, and I
don't think I could allot more than one full day to inspec-
tion.
" That being so, will you favour me by suggesting a
programme ?
" The day could be made to run into night, but not all
night.
" I know you think of these things and have sound
ideas. I can't well ask my own people ! So I should like
your own opinion on the matter.
" I only did a field exercise last year, which took the
best part of a day, but seemed to me rather too superficial.
I don't want anything to do with the formal inspection,
which I arrange for separately. What I mean is a purely
official business.
" I hope you are still alive after your hard work at
Delhi.
" Yours ever,
" (Sgd.) T. CAPPER."
General Capper was a great admirer of General (now
Marshal) Foch, and often talked to me about his sound views
and extensive military knowledge. In Capper's death,
England suffered a national loss. He was worth a million
men. His death was emblematic of his life, in that he died
to uphold a principle. That is, he held the moment had
126 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
come when it was essential even for a higher leader to set
a personal example. What cared he if in doing so he must
make the supreme sacrifice ? He judged his duty and the
occasion demanded (as he had written me over three years
before) " the highest self-sacrifice, i.e. the cheerful surren-
der of life itself."
CHAPTER X
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM
MUCH has been written about the late Lord
Kitchener as a soldier, as an administrator,
as a machine, and even as an impostor. It
shall be my aim to depict him as the great
man he undoubtedly was.
Mr. Hugh Bennett, of Malvern, has been kind enough
to give me some detail of Lord Kitchener's early life. From
this it appears that after being at school at Geneva, where
he was thoroughly grounded in the French language, he
passed on, at the age of fifteen, to the care of Mr. Bennett's
father (the Reverend John Bennett, chaplain of Montreux),
who took in, as boarders, many English and American
pupils.
Herbert, as he was called, was a lanky boy, shooting
up so quickly that no tailor could keep pace with his rapid
growth, and consequently so thin that he earned, and
retained during his sojourn at this school, the sobriquet
of " Skinny." He showed marked ability in mathematics
and in conversational French, but in other respects did not
give any particular promise. A characteristic feature was
his extreme reliability, even at that early age. A marked
peculiarity was that he did not make friends easily, and
was addicted to long walks by himself, instead of joining
his comrades' games. At the same time he was always
cheerful enough, and quite willing to be sociable, while
all who came in contact with him could not fail to be struck
by his kindly, helpful nature.
My first personal meeting with Kitchener was at Delhi a
day or two after he reached India in November, 1902, and
while he was living in his railway saloon. Being with
General Hill, who was commanding an improvised division
127
128 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
we saw a good deal of the Chief as he rode round
the outposts of the Southern Army in the manoeuvres.
We thought he was very much a " live wire," and got
early intimation of his very decided views on most ques-
tions.
General (now Sir James) Willcocks was one of the briga-
diers and, in his zeal for active service conditions in every
way, appeared at the flank of his command dressed as he
would in the field; that is, a khaki muffler instead of
a collar, thick shooting boots and no sword or belt. The
next day we all got a reminder about the proper order
of dress !
Lord Kitchener was very particular about his camp at
the 1903 Durbar, and quite fussy over the review rehearsals,
especially the quicker movement of the infantry at the
first pivot on to the saluting base. There was so much
galloping to be done for him in continual messages to
go faster, that even the inspector-general of cavalry (General
Locke-Elliott) was commandeered. Just in front of Kit-
chener was a ditch about two feet broad and the same
depth. Locke-Elliott was riding a young remount which
wouldn't face this. The message was very urgent ; so,
whipping out his sword, he gave the youngster such rib
roasters with the flat of it, that he was soon the other
side. Kitchener was intensely amused.
All the review orders were strictly scrutinised by Kitchener
and many arrangements changed ; for instance, he insisted
on all major-generals not commanding troops riding on
his staff and, when the directors-general of ordnance,
military works, medical services, etc., had been roped in,
there was a goodly array. The order, however, caused
much trepidation, for many of them had failed to bring
any mounted kit, and one or two had no horses !
At this camp we first realised Kitchener's intense dislike
of publicity. Every order was headed : " Confidential,
on no account to be communicated to the Press " even
one of two or three lines simply giving the hour the Chief
would leave camp next morning for rehearsal parade.
Many say he was hostile to the Press, but I doubt this,
when they never ceased to belaud him. To the Press, too,
he mainly owed the British public's wonderful trust and
confidence in his sagacity and judgment.
Most people will remember the attack on Lord Kitchener
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 129
in the Press during the war. Being our colonel, my
officers begged me to write and express their disgust.
In reply FitzGerald told me it had not worried Kit-
chener at all or given him a single sleepless night. He
added that the only result had been to get him his
" Garter " rather sooner than would otherwise have been
the case.
On arrival in India Lord Kitchener looked extremely
fit. Indeed, during his seven years as Chief in India,
he kept remarkably well, except for one or two attacks
of fever. Having suffered a good deal from malaria in
Egypt, he was extremely nervous about it : so much so
that he went straight to bed at the very earliest in-
dication ; and, if report speaks truly, with all his clothes
on !
Everyone was immensely interested in his appointment
as Commander-in-Chief, and his arrival was looked upon
as a red-letter day for the army in India. One of his first
acts was to re-number the units of the Indian Army. This
met with a good deal of opposition, but he carried it through.
His methodical mind could not tolerate the confusion
which appeared to him to result from having such an
anomaly as the 3rd Gurkhas, the 3rd Brahmans, the 3rd
Rajputs, the 3rd Sikhs, etc. He was rather indignant
when twitted with being too fond of changes, remarking,
in the famous memorandum on the Kitchener-Curzon
controversy, that he hated changes for changes' sake,
but that he did not shrink from them when really
necessary.
Some extensive touring caused him to view with dis-
satisfaction the organisation and allotment of the army,
and seeing no method whatever in the arrangements then
existing, he evolved a new allotment of troops to areas,
necessitating the abandonment of many stations and the
formation of some new ones. In after years, that is during
the War, his plans came in for some hostile criticism which
was quite unmerited.
It is also interesting to note here that this new project
received the unqualified approval of Lord Curzon, except
that he expressed doubts as to the accuracy of the estimates
submitted. Early in 1904 he even went so far as to say :
" The present distribution and organisation of our military
forces in India are both obsolete and faulty."
i
130 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Kitchener's " scheme " aimed at providing India with
a war army of nine divisions, after making proper provision
for the military requirements of internal security. The
components of these divisions were to be trained together
in peace under the generals and staffs who would serve
with them on active service.
As when K. arrived in India the potential enemy was
Russia, these divisions were allotted to the two main lines
of advance into Afghanistan : the northern, via the Khyber
and Peiwar Kotal passes ; the southern, via the Bolan and
Khojak defiles.
Although an army commander was provided for each
of these two armies, it was Lord Kitchener's wish that in
peace time the duties of these two generals should be
confined to " discipline " and " training," each separate
division being self-contained in all respects, financial in-
cluded, as were the old Presidency armies of Madras and
Bombay.
Kitchener further desired to see India made capable of
providing locally all the requirements of the army rifles,
field-guns, ammunition, clothing of all descriptions, medical
stores and instruments, remounts, etc.
Before he relinquished his command, the Russian menace
had to a very great extent disappeared, and Lord Morley
decided to "go slow " with the completion of the pro-
gramme. As a matter of fact everything was cut down
to the bare bone. Such vital necessities as electric installa-
tions in British soldiers' gloomy hospitals and barracks,
as well as numerous other projects, introduced by the
Chief in the interests of military efficiency, or for the
improved comfort of the soldier, were ruthlessly put
aside. Many of them indeed had to be carried out later
such as acquisition of land at a much enhanced
cost, while the fulfilment of others, at the time, would
have made all the difference as regards Mesopotamia in
1914.
On K.'s departure, he was replaced by General Sir O'M.
Creagh, who had been given a mandate by Lord Morley
to effect economies in the military charges. The latter
indeed appeared to consider there should be no military
progress in India at all on account of the understanding
arrived at with Russia, followed by the appointment, as
Viceroy, of Lord Hardinge, who as an ambassador had
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 131
been mainly responsible for the establishment of clearly
denned and friendly relations with that country.
It was not fair to Kitchener to assert that his scheme
failed when put to the test of a great war. It did not
fully function, only because it had not been completed.
Indeed the stress of war showed how right he was in his
aims at making India self-supporting for military purposes ;
as well as, in his schemes, to make the Indian units, the
Sillidar cavalry and the Indian infantry abandon the system
by which commanding officers were made responsible for
the provision of horses, and most of the requirements of
their unit, other than arms and ammunition. In fact K.
saw clearly that in a great war supplies of all natures
men, animals, ammunition, clothing, food, etc., etc. must
be the concern of the State.
India's shortcomings in 1914, and after, were due to
Kitchener's successors, who failed either to complete his
scheme or to substitute a fresh fully established one in
lieu.
A new engine cannot be condemned as failing to work
when the engineers who have taken over from the one
who first undertook to fashion it, fail to complete its working
parts.
As a matter of fact, when you look into all of Lord
Kitchener's projects that were scrapped and the number
was large you are astonished at his circumspection,
prudence and prevision.
He was most anxious about the Loi-Shilman railway,
which, branching off from the Jamrud line between that
outpost and Peshawar, provided an extra line of communi-
cation with Landi Kotal at the head of the Khyber Pass.
It would have been invaluable in the third Afghan War,
in 1919, yet it was abandoned.
To speak of only a few other schemes. He alone was
the originator of :
(1) The cavalry school at Saugor,
(2) Reorganisation of the Ordnance Department,
(3) Senior Officers' classes,
(4) Inventions Committee,
but he left India before they could be carried out, much
to the detriment of the schemes.
The cavalry school was not to be a Kindergarten for
132 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
juniors, as is now the case, but a college where the seniors
would learn and be kept in touch with all that was to
be taught in regard to cavalry. A special class was to
have been formed for adjutants.
The ordnance scheme broke up the department into
three distinct branches viz., manufacture, inspection,
storage and issue (factories, inspectors, arsenals) just as
was done at Woolwich in the eighties, after the scandal
of twisted bayonets, etc., in Egypt.
The senior officers' class had to be camouflaged as a
musketry class at first, in order to get money for railway
warrants, etc. !
The inventions committee was a standing board to test,
at Roorkee, all inventions sent up by officers and others,
and Lord K. obtained a special grant of money for
this.
Lord Kitchener's successor did not carry on either the
cavalry school or ordnance reorganisation on Lord K.'s
lines, nor did he keep going the senior officers' class or
inventions committee.
What is so marvellous, with all these progressive, and
so necessary, changes introduced, is the fact that putting
aside the expense of great schemes such as re-armament
of artillery the normal cost of the army increased very
little, owing to economies effected.
Kitchener was always anxious to save was always
finding out sources of expenditure which were justified
in their day, but for which no necessity still existed. Many
petty useless charges were done away with under his keen
eye.
After his second cold weather tour, Lord Kitchener
came to the conclusion that the standard of efficiency of
infantry units was very uneven. Casting about for the
reason as was his wont he rightly saw that the weak
point was the instruction and supervision given by generals
and their staffs to the training of their commands, and
especially the want of soundness and uniformity in their
annual inspections.
To come to a reasoned conclusion and to act, being
one and the same thing to Lord Kitchener, we soon learnt
that in the cold weather of 1904-5 we should be subjected
to a very comprehensive test, or tests if we survived the
first one. It was to be a matter of competition, Lord
133
Kitchener giving a trophy to the best British and Indian
infantry unit. At the same time an Indian Army Order
gave details, which are briefly as follows, and simply meant
a sound and thorough inspection on uniform lines :
(a) All infantry units, except Pioneer battalions, would
carry out the same test all over India.
(6) This would be conducted personally by the G.O.C.
and his staff, who would mark for each event according to
instructions detailed.
(c) The unit which obtained the highest marks in each
brigade would be re-tested to ascertain the first in the
division ; the first in the division would undergo a further
test by the G.O.C. Command, and, finally, those placed at
the top of each command would be tested by the Chief's
own Board, consisting of Major-General Stratford Collins,
I.G. Vols., as President, and Colonels Beauchamp Duff,
Parks and William Capper, of Army Headquarters, as
members.
(d) The curriculum consisted of
(1) A fifteen mile march in field service order, carrying
a hundred rounds of ball ammunition.
(2) To be followed immediately by an attack, with
ball, on a position prepared by another unit, and
to include reconnaissance, writing of orders, etc.,
etc.
(3) A bivouac camp, with outposts, which would be
attacked.
(4) A night operation, probably opposed.
(5) Preparation of a defensive position to be assailed
by other troops.
(6) A retirement of at least ten miles followed up by
another unit.
Active service conditions to be maintained throughout
in every way. In the final test each event followed imme-
diately on completion of the last, the whole period lasting
from fifty to fifty-five hours.
The ist Battalion 3rd Gurkhas, to which I then belonged,
got placed at the top of the brigade, division and command,
and when Lord Kitchener came to stay with us at Almora,
in circumstances related later on, Hubert Hamilton, his
military secretary, gave him the telegram announcing the
final result, Indian Army, as he got to the top of the steps
134 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
reaching my house. After reading it, Lord Kitchener
handed it to me with his customary sweep of the arm, and
I read :
" Result Chief's Cup, Indian Army : first, I30th Baluchis ;
second, i/3rd Gurkhas, five marks behind ; third, 55th
' Coke's Rifles.' "
Seeing my face fall, Lord Kitchener said I ought to be
very proud ; and walking into the house told my wife
the news, adding that I didn't seem to look very
pleased.
" No wonder," she said, " for it is a great blow to be so
near and yet to r miss your Cup ; and fancy being beaten
by Baluchis ! I never even heard of them, what are
they? "
Tucked away with a localised corps in a corner of the
Himalayas, she had little knowledge of any class except
Gurkhas, though she would have known what was meant
by Punjabis, Sikhs, Dogras, or Garhwalis.
At tea Lord Kitchener tried to explain the composition of
the I3oth, but was not very illuminating. Finally he said
he did not see her argument, as Coke's Rifles would be
equally justified in objecting to being beaten by Gurkhas.
" Oh, no ! " said my wife in her loyalty and ignorance,
" they would know before they competed that Gurkhas
would certainly beat them ! " at which K. looked up with
his cross eye, with a puzzled expression, as if being chaffed,
and then laughed.
In a subsequent conversation, K. asked me if I had found
the tests too strenuous and whether we were quite " fed
up " with them. When I answered that, on the contrary,
we had never enjoyed anything more in our lives, especially
the final one, he said it had been represented to him that
some units had almost broken down under the strain and
had found even one test, let alone four, too severe. Suggest-
ing hesitatingly that perhaps some generals didn't like
them
" Exactly, that's it," he said, looking up quickly, " but
I shall keep them on the books all the same, though without
any competition in the future. I'll keep them on the books
because they are very good for generals and their staffs "
(which he always pronounced as if the word rhymed with
"gaff").
The next morning, early, he saw the battalion on parade,
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 135
when they were at the top of their form. At breakfast he
told my wife that he had inspected the I30th, and now he
had seen the i/3rd, adding with a shake of his head :
" And if I had been told to choose, I should have selected
the i /3rd."
"I'm awfully glad," said my wife, " then of course you
will reverse the decision of your Board."
" Oh, no," answered the Chief, " I can't do that."
He told me he was very puzzled as to what kind of trophy
to present, as he was so tired of cups and bowls and wanted
something more uncommon. Mentioning that he was
dining in mess that night, I suggested a scrutiny of " The
Little Man," i.e. the 5th Gurkha Khud Race Challenge
trophy, a silver model of a Gurkha in his national costume,
which was then in our possession, and which he'd see in
front of the Colonel. The result was the gift of a silver
model of a R.W. Surrey soldier to the 2nd Queens, and of a
Baluchi to the I30th.
Amongst a number of cantonments to be abandoned,
under Kitchener's new scheme, was Almora, in Kumaon,
for nearly a hundred years the station of the 3rd Gurkhas.
Under a convention signed by Queen Victoria in the sixties,
the ist, 2nd, and 3rd Gurkhas had been allotted to the
cantons of Dharmsala, Dehra Dun, and Almora respec-
tively : "in perpetuity " as the words ran, continuing
somewhat as follows : " and although the regiment may
be moved at any time, and for any period, according to the
will and pleasure of Her Majesty's Government, it will
always eventually return to Dharmsala, Dehra Dun, or
Almora, as the case may be."
Lord Kitchener did not like conventions ; he was also
bent on moving Gurkha battalions to various stations in
peace time. At first he was inclined to ride rough-shod
over these documents, but, later on, apparently, thought
better of it. Visiting Dehra Dun, the 2nd Gurkhas
showed him their copy, which he is supposed to have
thrown on the floor, saying it should never have been
drafted !
Later he came, as I've said, to Almora, where we had
been asked if we would agree to leave the place. The
answer was "Yes," provided we were stationed with our
2nd battalion, then at Lansdowne.
The Chief rode over to Almora from Ranikhet, a matter
136 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
of twenty-four miles, and went straight to the barracks
before coming on to my house. Getting off his hill pony,
and glancing up at the fine double-storied buildings, he
walked backwards and backwards and backwards until we
thought he would certainly fall over the edge of the
plateau.
At last he stopped and, still looking up, asked who on
earth built them. The colonel told him the men had done
so, with expert assistance and under the supervision of the
resident sapper, at which Kitchener snapped out that
it was inconceivable why they had ever been constructed
at all in a place so remote from anywhere. Then, mellowing
a little, he kept on repeating : " How can I take you away
from this ? How can I take you away from this ? And
yet I must." However, as things turned out, he never
did!
After a very thorough inspection of the whole lines,
Kitchener came on to our house, where an early tea awaited
him, with my wife slightly perturbed because of his reputa-
tion of being somewhat brusque with ladies.
It is most strange how this rumour emanated, for we
found him a very charming guest, and most easy to please.
Still, there is no doubt it was currently believed to be
true. Indeed, we are told it was even mentioned to
Queen Victoria, who remarked : " He was always very nice
to me ! "
Kitchener was not in the least shy with ladies, nor did he
dislike them. Some of them undoubtedly bored him,
while others, overstepping all limits, were very promptly
sat on. It Was not at all an uncommon thing to see him
in ladies' company enjoying himself immensely.
At the 1903 Durbar at Delhi, my wife and I were sitting
close behind him at the investiture ceremony. During the
long interval, while Lord Curzon changed his robes from
one Order to another, K., talking to Lady Powis, told her
a diamond ornament in her hair was coming out.
" Push it in for me, please," said Lady Powis.
K. was taken aback, but certainly didn't look shy. Now
the thing wanted handling, but, after some hesitation, he
simply made a sudden dart at it with his finger, and missed
it altogether. Then they both roared with laughter, and
K., refusing to have anything more to do with it, Lady Powis
had to arrange it herself.
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 137
He looked magnificent that night, did K., in his full
dress, with all his medals and Orders glittering in the electric
light.
A well-known lady, who was a great friend of his, was
twitting him one day with his dislike of the fair sex, when
he interrupted her by saying he did not dislike them at
all.
" Anyhow," said his friend, " you must confess you always
keep them at a distance."
" Perhaps," answered K., " but you know the old pro-
verb, ' Familiarity breeds contempt ' ! "
" Well, Lord Kitchener," remarked the lady, " it takes
a certain amount of familiarity to breed anything ! "
When paying an afternoon visit at Normanhurst in 1909,
Lady Brassey, knowing I came from India, of course asked
me if I knew Lord Kitchener.
" Dear me, yes," I replied, " why he is my colonel ! "
After this there was a pause, for it was not understood
how Lord Kitchener could be a colonel. Eventually,
looking at me rather doubtfully, Lady Brassey remarked
on the extraordinarily silly rumours which surrounded his
personality. She told me she stayed a week-end in the same
house-party with him in Ireland. That, although she never
spoke a single word to him all the time, she found to her
horror that they were leaving by the same train on depar-
ture, which meant a very early breakfast together before
starting.
" You can imagine my feelings," said she, " for, knowing
what most men are like at breakfast, I trembled at the
thought of having that meal alone at 7.30 a.m. with the
redoubtable K. of K. Not only that, but to accompany
him afterwards in the same conveyance to the station."
She added that he was just enchanting, looked after her
most carefully all the journey, and she was never more
delightfully surprised in her life.
So it was with us, and as for talking, he never stopped !
He came three days after the severe earthquake of 5th
April, 1905, which played such havoc with Dharmsala and
damaged other hill stations as well. My own house had
been mauled with a long zig-zag open crack from the roof
downwards, which I pointed out to him as we approached,
saying it had been "vetted " by an engineer, who gave his
opinion that there was no danger.
138 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
" It will last a night or two, anyhow, I fancy," remarked
K.
There were rumours of bad accidents at Simla and else-
where, and a friend of the Chief's at the Grand Hotel,
Simla (a very stout lady), was reported seriously injured.
He told his staff the morning he set out for Almora to wire
condolences and ask for details. The reply came at tea-
time, saying the lady was quite uninjured, but the floor had
given way and she and the bed had gone right through the
ceiling into the room below. Handing it to his military
secretary, the Chief said : " Send an answer simply saying,
' Poor bed.' '
After tea and a change, my wife escorted Hubert
Hamilton and the A.D.C. to the club for tennis, etc.
Taking K. into the verandah, where there was a lovely
view of the snows, I put him on a comfortable couch
where he could rest his leg, broken the year before, and
about which his doctor said he was making a good deal
of fuss. Getting a book, I sat near, prepared to read
if he didn't want to talk. After a little humming of
no particular tune, he began to talk, and went on for
some hours with hardly any cessation. It was all so
intensely interesting that I sat up very late that night,
and the one after, recording all he had said, and now
repeat it.
He was very down on localised units, and told me so,
adding that he was astounded at the number of places he
found in India where certain cavalry and infantry units
had apparently taken root. In such places, he said, they
were cut off from their brigadiers, were very difficult to move
in cases of emergency, and were bound to suffer in efficiency
from want of supervision and lack of rivalry and com-
petition.
I ventured to suggest that some of these localised units,
such as the Central India Horse, Deoli Irregular Force,
Gurkha Regiments, etc., were pretty useful; that they
gave a very good account of themselves when brigaded
in the field with other troops ; that their record in competi-
tions, contests and games was no mean one, and that didn't
he think there were many advantages that counterbalanced
the disadvantages ? Instancing as proof the fact that
their splendid record made them jealous of their reputation,
and anxious to keep up their good name, while isolation
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 139
helped the officers to concentrate more on their work,
and give deeper study to their profession.
" Hum," said the Chief, "I'll admit I may have to modify
my views, especially after what I've seen here 1 " A pause
now occurring, as he appeared to be ruminating, I took
up my book, when K. suddenly began again :
" I suppose you are one of those who believe in the
Russian bogey ? "
Though somewhat taken aback, I had to confess I under-
stood all our training and military preparations were under-
taken with the main view of preventing the Russians from
entering India.
" That's all an exploded idea," said K. " We have
nothing to fear from Russia, it is the German wolf and not
the Russian bear we have to watch. I shall not be a bit
surprised if some day you find yourself, with your Gurkhas,
advancing in Persia alongside the Japanese."
This was in 1905 and was the first time the German
menace had been brought home to me at all. But
Kitchener was always looking ahead. A year afterwards,
Sir Beauchamp Duff, then Chief of the Staff, told me how
greatly impressed he had been with this characteristic
of the Chief. How time after time he would take him up
some case, with what he thought was a well-considered reason-
ing noted on it, and "K." after ejaculating his favourite,
constant, and long-drawn-out " H-u-m," would say : " Yes,
but have you thought how this will affect matters ten years
hence ? " Duff confessed he had not, and found much
difficulty in always doing so.
The word " Chief " is mentioned several times, and it
is worthy of note, as a rather curious fact, that Lord
Kitchener was hardly ever referred to as "The Chief."
He was always alluded to as " K.," or " K. of K." Of
the eleven commanders-in-chief in India I have served
under, all were invariably referred to as " The Chief,"
with the exception of Lord Roberts and Kitchener. The
former, of course, was generally spoken of as " Bobs," or
" Bobs Bahadur," a title of affectionate regard he much
valued.
" What sort of a fellow is Brown ? " asked Kitchener
suddenly.
Now we had a Captain W. M. Brown, a county cricketer,
and a fine athlete. Thinking he referred to him, I began
140 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
explaining what a marvellous eye he had for games, when I
was sharply interrupted.
" I mean your brigadier Browne."
" Oh," I said, " I'm sorry ; yes, of course, very nice
fellow, knows his job, is an old 3rd Gurkha, pleasure to be
inspected by him, etc."
"Well, I've never met him," said K., "but I like his
confidential reports better than those of any general in
India."
He was talking of Brigadier-General A. G. F. Browne,
afterwards a Major-General, a K.C.B., and one of my
predecessors in command of the Lahore Division. He
certainly had that wonderful faculty of so writing confi-
dential reports, as to put the officer straight in front of you,
and that's just what K. wanted.
Kitchener then asked me if I didn't think an Indian career
was simply a continuous camp life, for he had been out
two and a half years and felt exactly as if he had been in
camp the whole time. I told him it had never struck
me.
" Oh, I forgot," he said, " I suppose it wouldn't, as you
are in a localised corps." He was continually rubbing that
in.
He then turned the conversation on to cholera. I had
some experience of it, and he seemed interested. Then he
told me that an epidemic of it occurred amongst his British
troops, when concentrated for his advance against the
Khalifa in 1898. The matter was very serious as the moment
was most inopportune, for a postponement would have
upset all his plans. On the second day, at dawn, he had
all tents struck, turned inside out and spread on the
ground, all clothing scattered over the camp, and every
man stripped naked. Thus they remained in the sun all
day long. There were some very sore skins, but it cured
the cholera.
About this period one of those epidemics of unrest and
dissatisfaction which roll up from time to time in all armies,
attacked the British officers of the Indian army. Just
before this time it had got to a pretty bad stage, and
quite wrongly many officers, who should have known
better, voiced their grievances in the public press. Under
the Chief's instructions, Hubert Hamilton wrote semi-
officially to every C.O., telling him to call his officers
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 141
together, find out exactly what was wrong, and then let
him know.
The discontent was mainly confined to the slackers, who,
realising they would have to work harder and really study
their profession, caught fright, saw their promotion stopped,
and were in a deadly funk of what the great K. of K., in
his zeal for efficiency, might not do next. In addition,
there was an undoubted feeling of uncertainty amongst
all field officers regarding the time scale of promotion to
lieutenant-colonel. This, it was reported, K. intended to
ignore, if not satisfied with a man. Indeed, it had
already happened in half a dozen cases of rotters, who
had been plainly told they would not be promoted, and
must go.
Kitchener got quite excited over this matter and, after
asking me if I had seen the military secretary's letter,
enquired whether I, too, had understood that, whether my
work was good, bad, or indifferent, I should be promoted
to major in eighteen years and lieutenant-colonel in
twenty-six ? In fact, that, when joining the Indian
Army, I had made a contract with Government ? There
was nothing for it but to confess that such had been my
impression.
" I call it monstrous," he said, " perfectly monstrous,
that such a pandering to inefficiency could ever be conceived.
Anyhow I've had the Royal Warrant amended by the Secre-
tary of State and the words ' if well reported on ' added.
As regards Hamilton's letter, I have the answers from all
C.O.s with me now, and, on the whole, I am very fairly
satisfied with them. Still there is a very prevalent idea that
officers did enter the Indian Army under a contract with
Government, and that idea must be disabused."
He went on to say that he was disappointed with the
officers of the Indian Army, and thought them very ungrate-
ful. He mentioned the letters to the newspapers, saying
they were disgraceful. He referred specially to one letter
signed " Adjutant," adding that the man ought to be
deprived of his appointment, as he did not know the regu-
lations.
He talked about new leave rules granting combined leave
for eight months to England, two months being on full pay
and the remainder on furlough allowances. He had been
told, he said, that officers required more than that period
142 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
when serving in India. He wondered why, as he had never
taken more than six months himself. He mentioned one
objection raised, that, the period being restricted to the
months of March to November, no officer of the Indian Army
would ever be able to hunt at home. He wondered how
many officers of the Indian Army could afford to hunt at
home ; but anyhow the concessions regarding longer leave,
under certain conditions, had been purposely ignored in
these letters.
" What do you suppose I did about this leave question ? "
he asked. " Why it is actually stated that Government
is trying to make money by it. What I did was to get
hold of one of your own fellows, Birdwood, to thrash out
the rules. My only instructions to him were to make
them simple, and make them liberal, but to have them
the same for all. A more hopelessly intricate and un-
uniform set of rules than those existing could hardly be
conceived, unless it's the present Indian Army pay regu-
lations.
" Yet for all this I get nothing but abuse, and that is why
I say you are very ungrateful. Look at my Quetta Staff
College. Could any other Commander-in-Chief have got
that ? Lord Roberts couldn't. Its vast expenditure was
only sanctioned because it was realised that coming out
here, as I did, with an open mind, and no previous leaning
towards India, I saw it was absolutely essential and said
so. Look at my interchange of staff duties between staff
officers at home and out here. No other Chief could have
got that."
Seeing me look up quickly, he asked if I did not agree,
and I said, " No, because few of us could afford to hold a
staff appointment at home, where we should be forced to go
on to English rates of pay."
Being really warmed up now, he said he was not referring
to men of localised corps in a good climate, but had in mind,
say, a lieutenant-colonel, on the staff in Madras, with a
wife and two or three children at home who must be separ-
ated from him for years, for educational reasons. This
man, whose health had suffered from the climate, could now
exchange with a similar staff officer, say, at Aldershot who
might like some Indian soldiering.
I suggested the pay question would come in here badly,
but he wouldn't listen and went on :
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 143
" Not only are you very ungrateful, but you have no
esprit de corps whatever."
At this I demurred, giving instances of my own corps
and others.
" You are referring to regimental esprit de corps. That
is not enough. I am alluding to esprit d'armee. What
have you in common with an officer, say, in Madras ?
Nothing."
Here I had to subside, for I felt he was quite right. It
had not occurred to me before ; possibly one of the disad-
vantages of being localised ! He then lit a cigarette, looked
for a while at the reflection of the sunset on the glorious
eternal snows, and then continued on the question of the
pay of officers of the Indian Army.
He told me he was changing our pay regulations, for he
thought there was nothing so absurd as the way our present
emoluments were made up of pay proper, staff pay, tentage,
charger allowance, etc. He declared there would be no
regimental staff-pay for anything except the appointments
of C.O., adjutant and quarter-master, which would be so much
a day and drawn invariably by the man actually doing the work.
All other officers would draw uniform rates of pay of
rank.
He said he had spent several nights after dinner working
this all out on foolscap with a blue pencil. (Anyone who
has had to deal with K.'s rough workings in coloured pencil
will appreciate the task in front of the pay people to under-
stand and decipher them !) He told me he sent for the
officer at the head of the Pay Department, and asked what
he thought of the scheme. This officer, after some hesitation,
said he didn't think it would work. The Chief told him
he had expected that reply, because it was much too simple
and didn't give enough occupation for his baboos, with
their everlasting objections. He added that finally he had
got it through, and it would soon come out, the extra
cost being small.
He then asked what I thought of it. This was rather
a poser to answer straight off, and I said so, adding that it
seemed all right, but I was uncertain regarding two points :
(i) If a man lost all his staff pay when he went away, a
great many C.O.s, for instance mine, would never take
any leave at all ! (2) I could not understand the cost
being small, especially as affected by furlough pay.
144 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
"I'm not touching furlough pay," said K. "I pur-
posely left it alone and it remains unaltered."
I explained that it must affect the question all the same,
instancing the existing rule that if my C.O. went on
furlough I drew half of his command allowance of six
hundred rupees a month and half my own staff, while
the other half of his command allowance was taken by
Government towards the cost of his furlough pay. I
enquired how this would now be met if the second-in-
command was to get the whole of the C.O.'s allowance
of, say twenty rupees a day in full ? K. seemed a bit
nonplussed and, after being silent a little while, said
jerkily :
" Well, I don't care a damn. I've got it through, and
they say it will only cost ten lacs. If they've made a
mistake, that's their look out."
Apparently there was some big mistake, for although
that evening the Chief gave me distinctly to understand
the matter was settled, and that the new regulations would
be promulgated shortly, nothing more was ever heard
about them !
The next point K. referred to was his scheme for the
special promotion of a certain number of selected officers
of the Indian Army annually, which he had got sanctioned
by the Secretary of State ; asking me if I didn't think
it very sound ?
I told him frankly that I didn't like it at all, because it
was bound to act unfairly in a huge country like India,
Adding that all the promotions were bound to be given
either to fellows at Simla, and immediately under the
eye of the authorities, or, to possibly mediocre men
pushed forward by interested generals. All to the detri-
ment of just as able, if not better men, whose good
fortune did not take them to Simla, or whose ill-luck
had placed them under commanders disinclined io push
them.
Saying this with a good deal of diffidence, K.'s reply
pleased, though it rather astonished, me.
" You are quite right," he said. " It was entirely my
own idea, based on my Egyptian experience, but even
before I got it through I realised that India was too big
a country, and it was therefore unsuitable. I then decided
to make none at all, and informed my staff accordingly.
KITCHENER AS I KNEW HIM 145
Next day, however, Elles 1 came to me and said I had already
promised him one, and that on the strength of this he
had actually told one of his officers Moberley that he
was to get it."
K. told him he was certainly not going to give one to his
blessed department only, but if he had promised, then it
must hold good. Eventually the Chief made them all
for that first occasion. He told me he did not intend to
make any more, but having got it sanctioned, he would
leave it on the books as an incentive.
He added he was sorry, for the idea came to him mainly
on account of his own case. That he was over ten years a
subaltern, and had then realised how hopeless it all was
trying to get on, when you were up against slow and
stereotyped promotion. However well you did, and how-
ever hard you worked, you were forced to wait for the
vacancy, or for the time laid down, just the same as the
man who never did a stroke more than he was obliged
to.
Next he mentioned the great difficulty he found in
getting his orders understood. This is a trouble many of
us have encountered, and would be emphasised in the case
of Kitchener, because his big brain and clear-sighted
vision were denied to lesser mortals.
He quoted a recent case where he had told his staff he
wanted a manoeuvre map made for the whole of India.
It was to be completed by the staffs of brigades, divisions,
etc., to ensure that they, and their generals, learnt a little
more about the country within their areas. There was
no particular urgency, but so great was everyone's awe
of K., that the commands marked it urgent, divisions
very urgent, and brigades immediate with a two months'
time limit for completion. The order happening to reach
brigades in the monsoon, a fact no one seemed to have
anticipated, was of course an impossible one, for you
cannot do outdoor sketching during the " rains." K.,
hearing about this accidentally at Simla, was furious,
and the order was cancelled altogether.
Meanwhile my wife had returned, and seeing us in the
verandah, went to K.'s room to inspect it. She found
his servant squatting outside, but all doors and windows
1 Sir Edmund R. Elles, the last military member of Council
in India.
K
146 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
tightly closed. Opening the long French windows, she
explained to his man the working of the " jinmills " or
shutters. These, when closed at night, prevented the entry
of stray dogs, etc., and yet gave plenty of air. The servant,
however, told her that the " Lord Sahib " never had any-
thing at all open at night ! Truly he was a veritable
salamander, for it was mighty warm weather.
CHAPTER XI
THE HUMAN SIDE OF K.
KWAS dining at our mess that night, and on
entering the ante-room it looked very well,
with red curtains, red shades to the lamps,
red covered easy chairs and pots of red geraniums
in the fireplaces. He was evidently rather impressed
for, stopping short in the doorway, he looked round and
said : " Hum ! this is the result of being localised."
I think it is " The Gentleman with a Duster," in his
Mirrors of Downing Street, who tells us that although Lord
Kitchener had many admirers he was liked by few, and it
is doubtful whether anyone loved him.
Shades of Hubert Hamilton, FitzGerald and Frankie
Maxwell, do you hear this ? Loyal and faithful " Birdie,"
do these words make you squirm with indignation ? Read-
ing them myself, my thoughts went back at once to that
spring evening in 1905 when, taking Hubert Hamilton in
to dinner in the 3rd Gurkha mess at Almora, our conversa-
tion turned on to the Chief sitting opposite us. Anything
like the look on Hamilton's face, when his whispering
became eloquent through emotion, I had never seen before.
Many things he told me of his hero, exemplifying his
wonderful forethought, judgment and kindliness. Of the
South African campaign he said :
" Who do you suppose settled up the South African
War ? Do you think the Boers could have been induced
to come to terms without K. ? I am firmly convinced
it was entirely due to his personality, prestige and firmness
that we were enabled to arrange matters at all, and that
no one else could possibly have done it. I have been on
his staff in Egypt, South Africa and India, and simply
love him."
147
148 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
An amusing incident, indicating his cross eye, occurred
when he was saying good night. Two youngsters put
their hands out together, each thinking he was being looked
at ! It was an awkward moment, but K. passed it off
with a laugh.
When he left us it was to stay with the Gaselees l at
Naini Tal. On departure he said : " I've enjoyed my visit
very much," and turning to me added : "I must modify
my opinion about localised units ! The abandonment of
Almora will remain in abeyance at present." Shortly
afterwards we got an official notification to the same
effect, and that is the last that has ever been said about it.
The first nineteen miles of the journey to Naini Tal was
done on hired ponies along a narrow hill track, and I rode
alone with K. We made a bad start, for the station
staff officer had given him, for the first stage all down hill,
a wretched little tat about I2| hands high, with a goose
rump, no shoulder, and cow hocks. I did not dare offer
to change, as my own hill pony I was riding was a perfect
fiend to shy.
K. looked very cross, especially as the pony stumbled
occasionally. Trying a remark about the surrounding
country being so excellent for training was not encouraging,
for he only snapped out :
" Oh, I dare say, but it is all far too remote from the
railway."
The thought came to me that I was in for a bad three
hours' ride, but after four or five miles there was a change
of ponies, and to my joy I noted the best hireling in the
district was ready waiting. Lengthening the stirrups for
him, to his injunction, " Make 'em as long as your arm,"
K. got up and started off at a canter.
As soon as he realised the splendid paces of the pony he
was on, his ill-humour entirely vanished, and when I
caught him up he was cantering along, flapping his disen-
gaged arm and actually singing. Much more than a loud
hum, something with words, though quite unintelligible.
When we slowed down to a walk he asked me at what
sort of pace we generally did such long rides, and laid
down the dictum that the proper way was to trot or
canter a mile or two, then walk the same distance, and so
1 The late General Sir Alfred Gaselee, then G.O.C. Eastern
Command.
THE HUMAN SIDE OF K. 149
on. I didn't dare tell him that once, in a hurry, I had
done those nineteen miles in an hour and twenty minutes !
During this ride another trait of Kitchener's came to
light to confute those enemies of his who called him a
butcher. Some of the hills on each side were very wild
and precipitous, and at one place he pointed at a bluff
saying it was like some ground near Simla where he had
been taken out to shoot ghoral (wild goat).
" Poor little beggars," he said, "I sat on a rock with
two rifles beside me, and dozens of them were driven
towards me on the opposite side of the ravine by hundreds
of coolies, quite unconscious of the fate awaiting them.
I didn't like it a bit."
Lady Gaselee did not seem to find Kitchener such a de-
lightful guest, during this three days' visit to Naini Tal,
as we had done at Almora. She wrote to my wife asking
what on earth we had done to K., as he arrived in such a
bad temper ! On arrival he had only grunted when she
told him there was a big dinner in his honour that night,
a garden party the next day and a picnic the day after.
When she asked him if he would like to walk out and look
at the lake, he told her he could see it from his bedroom
window! Finally, at the dinner and garden party, he
would not speak to a soul ! The good lady had not employed
her usual tact. K. hated entertainments, and she had
given him a surfeit.
The next time I came across Kitchener was at the Indian
Bisley rifle meetings at Meerut. I forget how many
meetings, but during one of them I remember taking him
to see the new " Rexer " quick-firing gun which some
enthusiasts insisted on showing him. Riding home I tried
to get his opinion on it, but only elicited a loud and long-
drawn-out " H u m." Quite enough, however, to convey
to me the fact that he was not enamoured of it.
He also made a long address on musketry before one
presentation of prizes, afterwards helping Lady Gaselee
to give them away. He was rather snappish with me
when he saw what dozens there were to be presented,
saying he should never catch his train. As it was then
4 p.m., his train went at 9.30 and the station was a fifteen-
minute drive, I only laughed. But he was in an awful
hurry all the time, and Lady Gaselee got quite rattled at
the way he kept pushing the cups at her, saying, sotto voce :
150 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
" Go on, go on, give the man his prize, can't you ? Don't
haver over it." She, poor lady, was trying to say a few
nice words to each winner !
While in command of a battalion of the 7th Gurkhas
(sometimes ironically called "Kitchener's Own"), and at
home on leave, I was requested to address a large assembly
of " might-be " Territorials, in the north-west of England,
in the interests of recruitment. It was at this meeting I
first realised the enormous hold K. had obtained over the
British public. During my speech I referred to some
remarks recently made by Lord Kitchener, to the Calcutta
Volunteers. No sooner had I mentioned the name than
the whole hall burst out into applause. Remarking, on
its subsidence, how delighted I was to note the approbation
with which Lord Kitchener's Here I had to stop
again, for the cheering was deafening directly the name
was out of my mouth.
Not daring to say " Kitchener " any more, I explained
in a roundabout way that the reason I was so particularly
gratified was because he happened to be my colonel. This
remark was received in stony silence and with every mark
of disapprobation. Such an audience could in no way
understand how the Commander-in-Chief in India could
possibly be a colonel \ In fact my address was entirely
spoilt by this unfortunate remark, the audience looking
upon me as an infernal humbug. As this was the second
time I had been let down by a reference to Kitchener's
colonelcy of the yth Gurkhas, I was careful never to mention
it again.
Kitchener was a " big man " in every sense of the word.
One cannot conceive him doing a contemptible action.
An instance of his lack of all pettiness was told me by
the Chief of the Staff, Sir Beauchamp Duff, personally.
Soon after Lord Curzon resigned, K. received some
manuscript from a first-class English magazine containing
a hand-written article dealing with the Kitchener-Curzon
controversy. The publisher said they could not divulge
the name of the writer, but he would like to know before
issue whether Kitchener objected to its publication. Find-
ing it was a violent attack upon himself, K. handed
it over to Duff to read. The latter asking, after perusal,
if he might make some enquiries about it as he thought
he knew the handwriting was given permission to do so.
THE HUMAN SIDE OF K. 151
These enquiries proved the author to be a well-known
colonel of the Indian Army, who was very clever with his
pen. Duff, bringing this information to the Chief, asked
what he would like done about it.
" Write and ask him whether he wrote it," said K., looking
up from his table.
This was done, and the colonel replied that he couldn't
remember ! There the matter ended.
A few months later, a brigade becoming vacant, Duff
took three or four names up to K. for appointment. The
top name was that of this very colonel. Duff told me he
expected it to be scratched out at once. On the contrary,
after careful scrutiny of this officer's confidential reports,
K. put him in without a word.
The relations between Kitchener and his personal staff
were most devoted ; indeed might be called affectionate.
They all appeared just as strongly attached to him, as he
was to them. Of all, perhaps " Birdie " did him the most
wonderfully faithful service, and undoubtedly FitzGerald
was the best beloved. The connection between the two
was extraordinary, for while FitzGerald worshipped the
ground K. trod on, K., in his turn, treated him as a dearly
loved son.
FitzGerald's influence with Kitchener was enormous,
but one never heard even a hint of it being misused.
During the period K. was unemployed after leaving India,
FitzGerald was beside me at the Quetta Staff College.
There had just been a regular press campaign at home
regarding K.'s unemployment. Sarcastic comments were
made about the debasement of our greatest soldier by his
acceptance of the chairmanship of the London, Chatham
and Dover Railway. During a long walk together, Fitz-
Gerald and I discussed this, as well as the question of K.'s
succession to Lord Minto as Viceroy, which it was known he
so greatly desired. FitzGerald did not tell me all he knew,
but one remark of his amused me immensely: "I keep
writing to him begging him whatever is said to keep his
mouth shut, telling him that if he does this he is bound to
come out top dog ! "
Regarding the succession to Lord Minto it is interesting
to record that at a very big dinner given to some notable or
other at the Bengal Club in Calcutta in 1910, the appointment
of K. as Viceroy was freely discussed after dinner. The
152 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
commercial magnates in Calcutta are shrewd and knowledg-
able men, yet there was not one single dissentient voice
on this question.
Talking of Calcutta reminds me of an anecdote about a
dinner Kitchener gave to the Japanese military attache
there, Colonel . The latter's English was not his
strong point. During conversation K. asked him what
would be the principal sights should he visit Japan. The
little colonel gave a list of local wonders, some of which
caused K. to remark that they did not appear quite " proper."
The attache, not at all understanding what his host said,
simply answered, smiling : " Yes, yes, veree nice, veree
nice " !
Kitchener always wanted the best. Nothing short of
this satisfied him. It fretted him to live in an atmosphere
where things were standing still, when they could so easily
be bettered. When improvement was within his grasp he
made it. This of course led to changes and alterations.
People affected, sometimes found these unpalatable, and
abused K. as a man who was never content to leave things
as they were. True for them, he was not, if his great
mind saw advancement was called for. It must have been
somewhat discomforting to them, however, to find he was
nearly always right.
Many stories exist of his kindly, helpful nature. Lady
Flora Poore allows me to quote one. She must know
several, for in 1901-2 Lady Flora and Lady Maxwell,
being the only two English ladies in Pretoria, always sat
on Lord Kitchener's right and left.
In 1901 Lady Flora, whose husband (Major R. M. Poore,
yth Hussars) was on the head-quarters staff at Pretoria,
went out to South Africa for the second time, expecting to
remain with the other married ladies down at Newcastle,
with an odd chance of seeing her husband now and then.
On reaching Cape Town she heard the joyful news that
Lord Kitchener had given her leave to go up to Pretoria,
which was a great surprise. Lodging at the Grand Hotel
she wondered if she could possibly stay as long as a week.
When that was about to expire she expected orders daily
to return to Natal.
Getting an invitation to dine with the Commander-in-
Chief at the end of the week, Lady Flora felt sure she would
get her conge at the dinner, and was very despondent accord-
THE HUMAN SIDE OF K. 153
ingly. When, however, the Chief came into the room the
first thing he said was : " How do you like Pretoria ? "
and the second : " Have you got a house yet ? " ! What
with delight and astonishment Lady Flora was barely able
to gasp out " Not yet," but quickly recovering, added,
" Though I shan't be long about it now I have your tacit
permission." K. seemed very much amused, and the
Poores were established in a house next morning !
As regards his numerous residences, his desire to make
things better became a hobby. Houses, grounds and gar-
dens had to be improved. Snowdon in Simla ; Wildflower
Hall in Mashobra, beyond Simla ; Treasury Gate in Fort
William, Calcutta ; and Broom Hall, Kent. He had
even sketched out in his mind, and talked over with the
Mintos, what he would do at Viceregal Lodge were he to
be made Viceroy. He often used to say that he ought to
have been a house designer and architect instead of a
soldier.
It has been said that K. had no sense of humour and
could not make a joke if he tried. Never was there a
greater misconception. The stout lady and the bed incident
in the Simla earthquake has been mentioned. That is
perhaps rather clumsy, but here are two more.
When Sir William Meyer, the present High Commissioner
for India, became financial adviser to K., he is said to have
suggested he should receive some military rank. Kitchener
replied he could not see his way to recommending him for a
commission, but would gladly promise that Meyer should
be given a military funeral, if he died while employed in
the Army Department !
An officer of the head-quarters staff in India of very
uncouth appearance went by the name of " The Walrus."
One cold day he turned up to take papers to the Chief in
a new suit of Irish frieze, as stiff as a board. Going into
K.'s study, the Chief, after looking hard at him, said :
" The Walrus has evidently had a suit made by the car-
penter."
Some peculiarities of Lord Kitchener's were :
(1) He had very small hands for a man, but extraordin-
arily well formed.
(2) His hair was much thicker than most people's, and in
India he had not a single grey one.
(3) He carried a well-known danger signal, on seeing
154 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
which it was advisable to change the subject or quietly
disappear. This took the form of veins swelling on the
cheek bones, and caught the eye at once.
(4) His spectacles were rather unusual. The shanks
instead of being prolonged behind the ears were so con-
structed that they maintained the glasses in position by
pressure against the temples.
(5) Mention has been made of his constant interjection
" Hum " when conversing. It was his favourite method
of implying doubt, and the greater the doubt the longer
drawn out was the interjection.
Many instances could be quoted of his chivalry. Per-
haps the finest was the way in which he always gave to
Lord Roberts the entire credit for every advantage we
gained in South Africa, including the successful termination
of the war itself.
Kitchener did a great deal to promote temperance and
reduce venereal disease in the army. He was all for clean
living, and I am sure did more to influence the soldier
in this matter than any of his predecessors. Not even
excepting Lord Roberts, who certainly made great efforts,
but finally funked " grasping the nettle."
Many will remember that excellent little paper every
British soldier received on the way to India, and a some-
what similar note entered in the service book of every
man of our expeditionary force in 1914. These were
written by K. himself, and he approached the subject in
quite a new way.
Although he did not show up as a churchman in India,
he was always on the side of religion and clean living,
backing up very strongly all efforts to this end, such as the
Rev. G. D. Barnes' League of Honour, etc.
The influence Kitchener exercised over some people
was very great, and his power of persuasion quite uncommon.
Here is an instance : When the late Amir of Afghanistan
(Habibullah, who remained so staunch to us throughout
the war) visited India in 1907, the whole programme of
functions and ceremonies was arranged with motor-cars as
the means of conveyance. Shortly before his arrival it
was ascertained that nothing would induce the Amir to
enter a motor. All the timings, therefore, had to be
rearranged, and state carriages collected from here, there
and everywhere. He was duly met by a state landau, and
THE HUMAN SIDE OF K. 155
the next day lunched with the Commander-in-Chief in
his camp.
During the meal Kitchener said he was taking him for a
motor drive after luncheon. The Amir was horror-stricken,
and said he couldn't think of it. K. insisted, and telling him
they would go very slow and he had a special expert, in
the shape of a Royal Artillery officer to drive, the Amir
eventually gave way. The result was, that afterwards
the Amir would not get into a carriage, and all the timings,
etc., had to be again altered ! A further sequel was that
Habibullah bought several cars, and insisted on taking
the gunner officer back to Kabul with him !
Time after time have I referred to Kitchener's prevision.
It was only miraculous because it was a doctrine he had
taken unto himself. Something akin to the " Scouts "
motto, "Be Prepared."
Once when talking to Lady Flora Poore of " careers "
and about men getting on in the world, he explained how
he had always looked on life rather with the eyes of a
naturalist, who watches an ant hurrying in some direction,
or peers into an ants' nest.
He expounded how this student of nature looked with
attention at their comings and goings, and their circumam-
bulations, so as to note carefully what was the actual
drift of their activities.
So, said K., has it been with me through life. I would
hear of disturbances in Pekin. I at once set myself to
learn Chinese. Again there would be a rumour of trouble
hi some other part of the world. Getting books and maps,
I would study the past and present history of that
country. And so on, always endeavouring to be before-
hand with any knowledge that might be of value when the
time came.
In his farewell speech at the Simla United Service Club
on the 2ist August, 1909, he pointed out that two main
principles underlay all he had tried to do in India:
" Firstly, that each step in army reform must be founded
on an accepted policy, based upon admitted premises,
arrived at either by experience or by reasoning, and laid
down in clear language understood by those who have to
apply it, and intelligible to those to whom it is to be
applied.
"The second principle has been, in all things to look
156 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
ahead. To consider not merely for the present, but to
lay the foundation for the needs of the future."
Kitchener was simplicity itself. When given any one
of his numerous decorations, no one was more childishly
pleased; but he was the last man to do the least thing
special in order to gain it. Talking of decorations reminds
me of an incident that occurred when he was in command
of the troops in London at the 1911 coronation, by King
George's special desire. In one of the coronation proces-
sions Kitchener's G.C.S.I. star came off his tunic, and
could not be found anywhere. The police and everyone
were informed, and asked to look for it. When K. came
to have his field-marshal's boots pulled off he gave a yell
of pain. The star had to be cut out of the boot with the
aid of a razor !
Although by no means devoid of sympathy this attribute,
by the very nature of the man, was seldom openly displayed.
Being a real worker, with the highest ideals, he judged
everyone from the standard he had set himself. If a man
did good work it was not K.'s custom to praise him, because
in his opinion he had only done his duty. At the same
time censure was very rare.
When he caught a snag he got rid of him. Swept him
away. Sometimes this was impossible. It may have
been a highly paid appointment, perhaps not directly
under K., or there was no one available to succeed. In
this case he simply ignored the man and did the work
himself.
What was the case when Kitchener went to the War
Office in 1914 ? He found the majority of the best officers,
who really knew the up-to-date and highly organised War
Office, bound for overseas. To help him he had mainly
weak, mediocre men, or men brought back who only knew
the institution as it was ten years before. What was
the consequence ? He did all the work himself.
Even the " Gentleman with a Duster " gives K. credit
for high and honest endeavour, yet he describes him as
weak and petulant with his colleagues in the Cabinet.
This seems highly improbable, for it was not K.'s way.
If he could not get what he wanted, especially in a time
of stress, his nature was to say : " Very well, you are
running the show. I've said what I want. If you won't
agree, that's your look out. I can do no more."
THE HUMAN SIDE OF K. 157
As indicated at the commencement of this chapter my
endeavour has been to show that Kitchener was a man
and not an official machine. If such a man possesses the
confidence of a nation to so large an extent that he has
only to say a thing is necessary to gain unquestioning re-
sponse. If, in addition, he possesses character, industry
and persistence. If he is also a deep thinker with unique
talent for organisation, immense driving power, super-
natural foresight, high ideals, reasonableness when con-
vinced, and a desire for efficiency that is absolutely con-
tagious can he ever be classified as anything but one
Of the GREATEST OF MEN ?
CHAPTER XII
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 1
IN the southern ranges of the Himalayas and north
of two Indian provinces, called respectively " Bengal ' '
and " United Provinces of Agra and Oudh," lies
the little independent kingdom of Nepal. It is a
narrow tract of country extending for about 520 miles
along the southern slope of the central axis of the Hima-
layas. It has an area of 54,000 square miles with a popu-
lation of about six millions, chiefly Hindus. The average
annual revenue is now estimated at about 1,100,000,
but it is probably a good deal more.
This state enjoys complete independence, and has at
its capital (Katmandu) a British envoy, whose chief
duties are connected with correspondence relating to the
Gurkhas who enlist in the Indian Army, and serve as
mercenaries under an oath of allegiance to our King-
Emperor. The term " Gurkha " is now the national
designation of the inhabitants of this country, but it was
originally limited to a people occupying a district of the
same name, and situated in the centre of the present
kingdom. That is to say, the term does not denote a race,
but simply a follower of the King of Gurkha in the old
days.
About 1765, the King of " Gur ; kha " one Prithwi
Narain made his second invasion of Nepal proper, and
after some four years' hostilities, conquered the whole
valley and established his capital at Katmandu. For
the next thirty years the Gurkha was engaged in almost
1 As regards this and the following chapter, I have to acknow-
ledge the kindness of the Committee of the Royal United Service
Institution in allowing me to include in them some portions of
an article I wrote for their journal in December, 1906.
158
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 159
continual fighting for conquest. Sikkim was overrun
and a large portion annexed. Thibet was invaded, and
much loot and plunder were acquired.
In 1792 a Chinese army managed, with great difficulty,
to penetrate into Nepal, and actually dictated terms near
the capital. But the damage inflicted by the invaders
must have been small, for in the next two years the Gurkhas,
striking westward, subdued and annexed the petty States
of Kumaon and Garhwal. Indeed, so great was their
prowess, and so many and so vast were their conquests,
that in 1795 they were masters of all the hills and valleys
from Bhutan to Kashmir, and from British India to
Thibet.
At this time they showed little or no consideration for
boundaries ; nor would they listen to any friendly remon-
strances from their neighbours. So intolerable did the
incessant pillaging in our territory, and encroachments
on our frontier become that, in 1814, Lord Hastings,
unable to endure it any longer, declared war against Nepal.
After a six months' campaign, during which the Gurkhas
behaved with the greatest gallantry and determination,
the war came to an end owing to the skilful operations of
General Ochterlony.
Peace, however, was not yet assured. The Nepal Govern-
ment would not accede to our demands, and it took a
second campaign, under the same capable leader, to bring
about the Treaty of Segowli, which was signed in 1814
and ratified the following year. This treaty defines British
relations with Nepal at the present day, except that a
legation has now been established at the capital of our
allies, instead of the old-time Resident.
But before this treaty was ratified at all, Gurkha soldiers
began to troop to our colours, as military service is what
they adore. In 1815 the first, second and third Gurkhas
were raised at Subathu (Simla hills), Sirmoor (near Dehra
Dun) and Almora (Kumaon) respectively. In 1857 the
4th Gurkhas were raised at Pithoragarh (beyond Almora
on the western border of Nepal), and a year later the 5th,
at Abbottabad. The other regiments were some of them
formed in the early part of the last century, but were
not designated " Gurkhas " until 1886 or later.
Many accounts are given in the official handbook on
Gurkhas originally compiled by Colonel Eden Vansittart
160 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
of the 5th and then loth about the extraordinary valour
repeatedly shown by them in the Nepal wars. Tales
which show that not only were they the bravest and cleanest
fighters, but had a wonderful confidence in the good feeling
and rectitude of the British.
Quite close to Dehra Dun, the permanent home of the
2nd and gth Gurkha regiments, is a ruined fort, very
strongly posted, called Kalinga. It was held in the first
war by a Nepalese warrior named Balbhadar and 600
Gurkhas. General Gillespie with exceeding rashness as
he had no heavy guns unsuccessfully attacked this fort,
and was himself killed leading the first assault. The
second assault was also repulsed, and altogether Balbhadar
caused us a loss of thirty-one officers and 750 men killed
and wounded. When ultimately three days' incessant
shelling compelled the Gurkhas to leave, Balbhadar and
the survivors, reduced to ninety, cut their way through
our posts and escaped. The defence of this fort retarded
a whole division for over a month.
One day, while shelling was in progress, a Gurkha was
seen in the breach advancing towards the British, and
waving his hand. The guns ceasing fire, the man came
calmly into our lines to ask for medical assistance as his
jaw had been shattered by a round shot. When he left
hospital he openly declared that he was going back to
fight against us once more, and did so !
With reference to these campaigns, it is extremely inter-
esting to note that General Bruce whom I refer to
later on got hold of a diary written by an officer who
took part in them, and found that " Gurkha snipers "
were continually referred to. Perhaps the first use of
that particular term.
Writing of General Bruce reminds me that he, with
his extraordinary knowledge of Gurkhas, should really be
writing these two chapters and not /. However, I have
done the next best thing, viz., freely consulted him, and
I am greatly indebted for much information and many
stories from his pen, or told me personally, which appear
in these pages.
His Majesty the King of Nepal is called the " Maharaj
Adhiraj " and, being too sacred a personality to be troubled
with mundane affairs, he takes no share in the adminis-
tration of the State, which is ruled by the Prime Minister
To face page 1M
BRIGADIER-GENERAL THE HONBLE. C. G. BRUCE, C.B., M.V.O.,
LATE OTH ROVAL AND ()TH GURKHAS AND OF MOUNT EVEREST FAME.
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 161
The King is nominally the head, but since the appointment,
over a hundred years ago, of Bhim Sen Thapa as Prime
Minister, all the power has been wielded by the holder
of that office. This Bhim Sen ruled the Gurkha dynasty
with great ability for more than twenty-five years. Many
attempts were made by the reigning monarch to secure
absolute power, with a final result that, about 1840, Bhim
Sen either committed suicide, or was murdered in prison.
Some six years later a general massacre of the most
powerful nobles brought the famous Chieftain Sir Jung
Bahadur to the front, and he obtained from the sovereign
the perpetual right to the office of Prime Minister of Nepal.
This right is still enjoyed by his descendant. Under Bhim
Sen's rule an offer was made (1848) to assist us in the
second Sikh War, but declined. Later (1857), during the
troublous times of the Mutiny, a similar offer was accepted,
and over 10,000 troops, with the Prime Minister and
Commander-in-Chief at their head, fought for us against
the rebels.
The Nepal Army is roughly estimated at 50,000 men,
of which a total of about 2,500 is artillery. Service is
compulsory for at least three years, after which it is optional
to remain on. The Nepal Government have given every
facility during the last thirty years or so for the enlistment
of Gurkhas in the Indian Army. This recruitment does
not affect the supply for the Nepalese units. Formerly
many impediments were placed in the path of our recruiters
by the Nepal Durbar. Our men had first of all to make
a long stay on the Indian border to enable them to grow
their hair, and thus pass as ordinary villagers. Whispered
enticements in the ear of a likely looking boy at some local
fair led to midnight trysts in a lonely jungle. Here the
keen recruiter, mustering his batch for the onward journey,
travelled only by night, until the British frontier was
reached.
After the successor to the great Jung Bahadur had been
duly assassinated, came an enlightened Prime Minister
in the person of Sir Bir Shum Shere Rana, and he eventually
removed every restriction. For years our men have gone
in freely, and provided, annually, from 1,500 to 2,000
men to meet all requirements. For this we also have to
thank Lord Roberts, as it was mainly due to his influence
and energy that this free enlistment was permitted. So
L
162 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
great was the Field-Marshal's admiration for Gurkhas that
he chose one as a " supporter " on the left of his coat-of-
arms.
The origin of the Gurkha is undoubtedly Mongolian.
His appearance shows it pretty clearly. The nation consists
of many tribes and clans, but the classes enlisted in our
Army before the war were almost entirely Gurungs,
Magars, Thakurs, and Khas, with Eastern Nepal men (i.e.
Rais, Limbus, Sunwars, and Lamas) for the yth and loth
Gurkhas.
My first experience of Eastern Nepal men was when
Lord Kitchener selected me to raise the 2 /7th at Quetta
in 1907. Limbus and Rais were supposed to be bad tem-
pered and difficult to manage. This idea got about because
no battalion had, formerly, more than a very small per-
centage of them. Having been the latest converts to
strict Hinduism, it is possible that in moments of excite-
ment and passion, the other classes reviled them re-
garding their former indiscretions. This would raise any
Gurkha's ire, and the Limbu or Rai, seeing red, probably
whipped out his kukrie (long, broad-bladed, curved knife)
or bayonet, and went for his calumniator. Hence his
reputation.
I found them exceedingly good-tempered, and particularly
intelligent. Much more so than any other class. I must
mention, however, that at first I found such difficulty in
getting my orders obeyed, especially as regards gambling
and the illicit brewing of alcohol, that I had to punish
very heavily, and convene a large number of courts-martial.
So much so that, first of all, my brigadier (now General
Sir F. J. Aylmer, V.C.) talked to me about it, but was
quite satisfied with my explanation.
Then my second-in-command, who had served with East-
ern Nepal men in Burma, warned me, with much solemnity,
that I was riding for a fall. Asking why, he explained
that I could not discipline the Limbu and Rai, and that
if these heavy punishments for disobedience of orders
were persisted in, I should have a sort of mutiny. I gave
him clearly to understand that it was my intention to
continue as I had begun, that ill-discipline in the battalion
could not be tolerated for a moment, and that if I failed
I was prepared to face the consequences.
Like the good fellow he was, he gave me his whole-
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 163
hearted support, and after another three months we had
no more trouble at all. Six years later, when this officer
took over the command, the letter he wrote regarding
the condition of the unit, and its discipline, is one I often
re-read with pride.
The Magars and Gurungs are to be found chiefly in
Central Nepal, and are aborigines of the country and of
the old district of " Gurkha." They have been warriors,
pure and simple, from the very earliest times. When
not employed fighting, the energy of the Magar tribe has
been mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits, and that of
the Gurungs to pastoral work.
The Thakur and Khas (or Chettris, as they prefer to be
called) tribes are of the highest social standing in Nepal.
The Thakurs indeed reigned in the old kingdom of Gurkha,
and were descended from the Rajputs, who took refuge in
Nepal after the first siege of Chitor. 1 The Nepalese Royal
family is in a straight line from the old Gurkha Kings. In
fact the present " Maharaj Adhiraj " is the Gurkha King
himself direct.
The Gurkhas have a very strong sense of their obligations
when on duty. More zealous sentries it would be difficult
to find. Sometimes this creates an awkward situation.
At Dacca, on one occasion, a Gurkha sentry shot at and
wounded a perfectly innocent member of the municipal
committee. This man had every right to be where he was,
and had answered the challenge by shouting out " Friend."
Still the Gurkha fired at the city father. At the enquiry
his defence was that the man, not being a soldier, could
not possibly be a friend !
One ancient custom I must briefly refer to as regards
violation of the laws of marriage by a man with another
man's wife, to whom the latter had been properly married,
i.e. by what is called the "Biaiti" 2 ceremony. (Many, if
they can afford it, have other wives, who do not count
in the same way.)
By the law of the land the husband of this wife was
permitted to have one cut with his kukrie at the accused,
if convicted by the court. This " cutting " took place
in full ceremonial, and if the man tried to bolt, he would
1 Chitor in Rajputana : four times taken and sacked by Moham-
medan kings and emperors between 1303 and 1567 (Akbar).
* Properly by ah.
164 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
be tripped-up by the spectators. There was only one
way he could get off, and that was to so humiliate himself
as to crawl between the straddled legs of the injured
husband.
In recent years this law has been abolished, and a system
of fines substituted, varying from 120 to 5 rupees. In
addition, all property, ornaments, dowry, etc., have to be
returned to the husband.
When the present reductions in the Indian infantry
are completed, we shall have ten Gurkha regiments of
two battalions each, or a force of about 18,000 men. Of
these, the gth Regiment enlists Khas, the yth and loth
Limbus and Rais, and the remainder almost entirely Magars
and Gurungs. Of course during the war units had to
take what they could get, and many rather undesirable
classes were enlisted, but most of these have by now been
eliminated.
Allured by every prospect of employment in the field,
our service is extremely popular. Doubtless the men are
not blind to the advantages of good and regular pay, and
the fairly liberal pension establishment. But the boy-
villagers noting, with envy and admiration, the bemedalled
veterans settling in their midst, are mainly attracted by
the hope of fighting for the " Sarkar " the name they
give to the British Government.
After joining Head-quarters it is astonishing to note how
quickly they learn to reverence the King- Emperor, whom
they look upon with much veneration. Our barrack-rooms
are full of coloured prints of the Royal family, and the
most acceptable gift you can make to a non-commissioned
officer's room are pictures of our reigning monarch and
his consort.
On the outbreak of the Great War, the present ruler of
Nepal * threw in his lot with the British at once, and
immediately placed all the military resources of his State
at the disposal of the British Government, for the defence
of India and India's frontiers.
Here it is necessary to explain that according to the
religious usage of Nepal it is obligatory for any soldier
crossing the Kalapani (black waters of the sea) to obtain
1 General His Highness Maharajah Sir Chandra Shum Shere
Jung, Bahadur Rana, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.C.L.
(Oxon), Prime Minister and Marshal of Nepal.
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 165
a special dispensation on return, before he can enter Nepal
or have any intercourse with Nepalese, even with
the members of his own family. This dispensation is
called pani pathya (purification ceremony), and is looked
on as being of extreme importance. The penalty for
evading it is excommunication of the severest type, for
the man becomes an absolute pariah, his own relations
refusing to eat, drink, or smoke with him. This is described
by our men as huqqa pani band (lit. smoking and water
stopped).
The supreme religious authority in Nepal has to be
consulted in such matters, and, as regards the Great War,
the question was a very big one on account of the enormous
number of Gurkha soldiers in our army proceeding overseas
to France, Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia, East Africa,
Palestine, etc. Fortunately for us the influence of the
present Prime Minister is so great that the priesthood
consented to grant this dispensation to all except pure
Brahmans under certain conditions. Firstly, it had to
be active service under the orders, or with the consent
of the Nepal Government. Secondly, there was to be
no tarrying abroad longer than was necessary. Thirdly,
each man was to bring back convincing proofs, signed
by a competent British officer, of having upheld the pre-
scribed caste observances throughout.
Sir Chandra showed great forethought over this, and
also his usual solicitude for his people who would other-
wise have been put to much trouble, expense and humilia-
tion. But this was not all, for he persuaded the spiritual
head in Nepal to depute a representative to Dehra Dun
and other places used as centres for this grant of patia.
Moreover, representatives were despatched to Gurkha
stations on behalf of the families of soldiers who had died
overseas, and for whom this dispensation was also necessary
in connection with after-death ceremonies.
It was on account of the difficulties regarding this purifi-
cation ceremony that the contingent of the Nepal army
was proposed for the defence of India and India's frontiers
only. This did not involve any crossing of the sea.
At first the offer was not accepted, because of the many
difficulties regarding command, employment, training, etc.
Early in 1915, however, the Government of India, finding
itself in great straits for reliable troops, welcomed the
166 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
suggestion with open arms, asking for contingents of six
thousand men as early as possible. For these camp
accommodation was provided at Dehra Dun (2,000) and
near Abbottabad (4,000). This strength was increased
a year later by two more battalions to each station, making
a total of over ten thousand.
I happened to arrive at Dehra Dun as brigade com-
mander, in April, 1915, about the same time as the first
two battalions, 1,060 strong each, and at once took their
training in hand. As the men, though of good physique
and possessing a knowledge of ceremonial combined with
a fine soldierly spirit, had never lived together in camp or
barracks before, nor done any field training ; and moreover
the officers and N.C.O.s, though keen and zealous, had
received little professional instruction or schooling, it was
rather a puzzle how to ensure a good start and make rapid
progress.
A brain wave gave me the inspiration of " practical
demonstrations." Taking up the idea at once, my excellent
Territorial battalions and the good old 2nd Gurkhas were
daily utilised to give exhibitions to the Nepalese officers
and N.C.O.s. Every description of military training from
physical exercises to night operations and, later on, attack
and defence with ball, was demonstrated, and all with the
most gratifying and surprising results.
I found General Tej Shum Shere 1 in command of the two
very strong battalions at Dehra Dun. He was an earnest
soldier, who backed me up in all my endeavours, being as
anxious to advance his own professional knowledge as he
was to absorb all we could teach regarding sanitation and
hygiene. This up to date had been to him a closed book.
When transferred later to Abbottabad, I found there
four equally strong units under General Padma Shum
Shere z who proved himself always a shrewd and zealous
helpmate, ready in every way to take infinite trouble to
further the fitness and proficiency of his officers and men.
The Inspector-Generalship of the Nepalese forces in India
was in the capable hands of the second son 3 of the Prime
1 Now General Sir Tej Shum Shere, Jung, Bahadur Rana, K.C.I.E.
* Now Commanding-General Sir Padma Shum Shere, Jung, Bahadur
Rana, G.B.E., K.C.I.E.
8 Now General Sir Baber Shum Shere, Jung, Bahadur Rana,
G.B.E., K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E.
\Toface page 166
GENERAL SIR BABER SHUM SHERE, JUNG, BAHADOOR RANA, G.B.E.,
K. c.s.i., K.C.I.E., NEPAI.ESE ARMY.
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 167
Minister. This officer remained with army head-quarters,
making periodical visits to Dehra Dun and Abbottabad
for purposes of inspection. At Simla and Delhi he was
most useful, and was freely consulted in all questions
concerning the contingents. With him I formed a close,
and I hope a lasting, friendship, and I am full of admiration
for his soldierly qualities and brave spirit.
Attached to each contingent were supervising British
officers with four or five British sergeants per battalion.
On these devolved tasks requiring a considerable amount
of hard work, combined with a good professional know-
ledge, and more than a little tact. I shall always feel I
owe them a deep debt of gratitude. I am certain also
that the enormous strides made, in so short a time,
by the Nepalese, were due as much to their fostering
care, as to the zeal and keenness of the troops them-
selves. An opinion shared, I feel sure, by His Highness
the Maharajah.
In January, 1920, the Government of India offered to
the Nepal Government an annual present of ten lacs 1
of rupees as a " mark of appreciation of the attitude adopted
by Nepal during the war, as a recognition of the sacrifices
which have been made, and in the hope that the gift will
not only further strengthen the ties of friendship which
have existed for so long, but will add to the power and
prosperity of Nepal."
According to Nepalese official returns the total male
adult population is just under one million, and the number
of men taken out of the country for all purposes connected
with the war from 1914 to 1920 reached the enormous figure
of over two hundred thousand.
Money contributions reached the large amount of over
a million and a quarter rupees, of which over a fifth were
from Sir Chandra's private purse. Again, hi 1915, on the
King's birthday Nepal presented to His Majesty thirty-one
Vickers-Maxim machine guns.
The Prime Minister looked on the war as if it was his
own, and his efforts to provide more and more man-power
were prodigious. But nothing less could be expected from
one who has proved himself for many years such a successful
ruler, and so staunch an ally to the British Empire. His
influence has never waned, indeed his authority has increased
1 At 15. Bd. exchange = ^83,333.
168 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
with time, and the present prosperity of the country is
due to his sagacity, energy and foresight.
The host of our King-Emperor in 1911 in the famous
jungles of Nepal, he has been much looking forward to
the present month when he acts in a similar capacity to the
Prince of Wales. 1
I have already mentioned my friendship with his second
son, and would like to relate a personal incident connected
with the innate good feeling of this gallant officer. Our
dear son, having been one of the British officers attached
to the Nepal contingent at Dehra Dun, had been photo-
graphed in a group of Nepalese and British officers. Some
months after our boy was killed, General Baber, calling
on me at Abbottabad, said, at the end of the interview,
that he had a group photograph for my wife, mentioning
what it was. Thanking him, I rather expected him to
bring it out of his pocket. Nothing appeared, however,
until evening when a coolie arrived with a large case con-
taining an immense framed and glazed enlargement of
the group. We were extremely touched at the kind thought
which prompted our friend to make this gift, and at his
consideration in bringing it himself all the way from Simla.
When three years later he suffered the loss of his own
eldest son, Bala Shum Shere, aged thirteen, we felt, in
our deep sympathy, that this sad loss was another bond
between us.
To set in motion the training of the Dehra Dun contingent,
before I left it in the capable hands of Colonel Lord Radnor,
and to perfect the military education of the remainder
of the 10,000 at Abbottabad, was work entirely after my
own heart. With any troops it would -have been con-
genial, but connected, as it was, with a nation which had
always so much attracted me, and in intimate relations
with an inspector-general and commanders who were so
responsive to every hint, or demand, made it a real
pleasure.
The Prime Minister took an enormous interest in the
progress and welfare of his men, which gave me the opportu-
nity for some correspondence with him. In my zeal I
suggested certain innovations regarding promotions, etc.,
some of which were agreed to, and others inacceptable.
To give effect to the former meant increased expenditure,
1 Written December, 1921.
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 169
necessitating a reference by me to army headquarters.
The result was a letter from the Chief of the General Staff
asking for an explanation as to how this matter had origi-
nated. On getting my reply that it was my own brain
wave transferred to His Highness by letter post, I received
a mild wigging, and a reminder that all communications
with Nepal must be made through the Foreign and Political
Department of the Government of India. The letter added
that I had usurped functions far beyond my province,
and, indeed, functions which even His Excellency the
Commander-in-Chief could not exercise ! The main point,
however, to me was, that all my proposals were sanc-
tioned.
The contingents remained under canvas for over four
years, and it speaks much for the attachment and fortitude
of our Nepalese Allies that, during all that long period,
they never faltered, simply concentrating their attention
on their own efficiency, and delighted with the opportunity
given some of the battalions of seeing service on the North-
West Frontier. One must remember too that it was only
possible to house the officers very poorly, just as our own
had to fare during the exigencies and overcrowding of the
war. Even General Padma, accustomed in his home to
a marble palace, electric light and every convenience,
had a small subaltern's tin-roofed quarter ; yet I never
heard one word of complaint.
Much interest was taken in the sanitation and cleanliness
of the camps, and units vied with one another in ornamenta-
tion and the like. Weird and grotesque figures were
constructed of clay and wood near all quarter guards,
symbolic of the name of the battalion, Hindu divinities,
etc. Ornate creations apparently peculiar to Nepal, for
I have never seen them anywhere else. I reproduce one
of these.
In 1917 the Government of Nepal instituted two Orders
for the first -time in Nepalese history. One was for the
rank and file, and the other a higher order styled " The
Star of Nepal," and divided into four classes, with the
highest carrying the title of " Supradipta Manyabar "
(The Most Honourable Honourable). It was with extreme
gratification that I heard in 1920 that the Nepal Govern-
ment had conferred on me the honour of this " Star
of Nepal " (Second Class), with he title of " Pradipta
170 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Manyabar " (The Right Honourable Honourable) in recog-
nition of the supervision I had given to the welfare and
training of the contingents. The King's authority having
appeared in the London Gazette for the unrestricted use of the
insignia at all times when medals and decorations are worn,
enables me to show, with pride, this mark of esteem
from the gallant little nation I so much admire.
CHAPTER XIII
THE LITTLE MAN
NEARLY thirty years ago the 5th Gurkhas
presented a silver model of a Gurkha in his
national costume, commonly known as " The
Little Man," as a challenge trophy for an
individual competition by Gurkha units in a " Khud "
race, i.e. an up-and-down-hill cross country run. For
some time, probably owing to better ground at their stations,
the competitors mainly came from the 3rd and 5th, until
the 6th took up the matter so seriously, that it appears
possible the trophy may remain in their mess for ever.
The 3rd had a wonderful performer called Budhipersad,
who won it quite six years running, partly, in the end, by
brow-beating !
One year General Sir Alfred Martin, an old 5th Gurkha,
and then commanding the Rohilcund Brigade, was instru-
mental in having the competition held at Ranikhet, only
twenty-four miles from Almora. A battalion of the Rifle
Brigade and one of the 6oth Rifles, at Ranikhet and Chan-
buttia respectively, became so bitten with khud racing
that they did little else than run round and round and round
the selected course.
* When the actual race was over, owing to a mistake they
made in the timing, it seemed to the 6oth that certain of
their men could easily do better time than the winner.
An invitation and challenge were therefore sent to the
3rd Gurkhas, inviting a hundred men to come over, as guests,
in a month's time and compete against a hundred of the
6oth over the original khud racecourse. The challenge
was accepted, and a time test being decided on, resulted in
the Gurkhas taking the first 99 places !
It is the coming down hill where the Gurkha scores, and
171
172 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
the more precipitous the going, the more he scores. It is
unnatural to him to run up hill, and he only does it, in a race,
under protest, as it were, and of dire necessity. The Brit-
isher can go up better, but when it comes to the descent
he is left standing still. To see, from a distance, a batch
of trained Gurkhas, in a khud race, coming down a really
difficult bit, can best be described as reminding one exactly
of raindrops falling down a window-pane.
One cannot possibly mention the " Gurkha Khud Race "
without a reference to its founder, Charlie Bruce, 1 late of
the 5th Royal Gurkhas, who may be fitly termed " the
spirit of the race." Not that there is anything spirit-like
or ethereal about his appearance, for he has always been
" a fine figure of a man." But simply because it was owing
to his impulse and efforts that the competition came into
being. A member of the Alpine Club, mountaineering
has been his hobby for years, while his enthusiasm over
this particular form of sport is very great.
Of extraordinary physique and colossal strength, Charlie
Bruce has always been famous in the brigade for his muscular
vigour. One of his feats on a " big night " was to lie on the
floor, and get the heaviest man in the room to jump up and
down on his stomach ! This was usually referred to by
the heavy one as something similar to prancing on the deck
of a ship. Being unavoidably absent at his farewell dinner,
I enquired of a staff officer of mine of great weight next
day if he had been asked to carry out this performance.
" Yes, indeed, sir," he said, " and I was greatly afraid I
should hurt him with my sixteen stone, but he only told
me to jump higher."
I remember at Almora he was the only man who could
lift up our celebrated brass image of " Buddha " weighing
about two hundredweight. He could lift this right up, and
one night another man talking a great deal of his strength,
Bruce passed it to him. Being much too heavy, however,
the boaster dropped it, and smashed his own toe. After
that we kept it screwed down. General Bruce was always
looked upon by his Gurkhas as a paragon, while his intimate
knowledge of their classes, languages and customs made
him the intimate friend of many hundreds.
He was always in the highest spirits and always ready
to fight, laugh, balance a full tumbler on his chin, or race
1 Brigadier-General the Honourable C. G. Bruce, C.B., M.V.O.
THE LITTLE MAN 173
somebody down the khud. His everlasting juvenility and
his love of a joke were contagious, and made all his associates
young again. I reproduce a picture of him posing, in his
pyjamas (with a big cushion to give him the requisite
figure !) as " Lalla Bruciram Daftari." 1
He has added much to my knowledge of khud racing, has
given me many notes, and we have discussed the vexed
question of it being harmful to the men. Budhipersad
ran in eleven competitions, beginning when he was seventeen
and finishing when he was thirty-five. Harkia Thapa, of
the 5th, and later subadar-major of the 6th, ran his first
race in 1890, the first year the competition for the trophy
was held, which foilr years later was opened to the whole
brigade. In 1913 he was fourth, as subadar-major, in a
double-company competition. This particular athlete never
actually won the trophy, but he was in the first four no
less than eight times. There are many instances of men
having run in this competition for ten years on end, without
the least harm being done. It is simply a matter of training
them on the right lines.
Look at General Bruce himself. He has climbed moun-
tains and run up and down hills all his service, yet this
summer, when over fifty-five, he tells me he went better in
Switzerland than he has gone for the last ten years. As he
has just been selected by the Royal Geographical Society
(Nov., 1921) to lead the Mount Everest expedition in the
spring, I hope to hear of him, next summer, as being on top
of the highest mountain in the world.
Khud racing was first introduced by him partly because
years ago Gurkhas were supposed to be inferior in physique
and stamina ; and partly to create a higher standard of
manoeuvre. Pace in hill fighting is everything. That is
to say, there are often occasions when, if you can go fast,
you have the finest weapon possible at your hand. The
Gurkha scouts in the Tirah Campaign under Lucas, Bruce,
Tillard, Nightingale, etc., proved this. They had to carry
out almost daily the most difficult of all hill manoeuvres,
viz. retirement under fire ; yet they never failed, and intro-
duced a new standard of pace of manoeuvre.
Every young officer joining a hill regiment should be
taken into mountainous country to learn the meaning of
pace, and the ordinary rules of scouting. Moreover occa-
1 A man who looks after any clerical office.
i 7 4 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
sionally, he should carry a rifle and full weight of accoutre-
ments so as to judge for himself the tasks he sets his
men.
It is not only as a climber that General Bruce deserves
a niche in the temple of fame. He is the inventor of
" shorts " ! I can find no earlier record of them than 1897
with the Gurkha scouts in the Tirah Campaign. For a
long time many of us thought that Hugh Rose, of the 3rd
Gurkhas, was the first to introduce them, about 1900, as a
service dress for a battalion. But as Bruce assures me
the 5th Gurkhas adopted them in 1898, Rose must give
way.
The dress was speedily adopted in India for work in the
hills by British infantry and mountain gunners, and soon,
although for years unrecognised officially, became universal
for dismounted soldiers. Finally they obtained a grudging
admission into the list of items of military supply, as
"shorts, khaki, pairs."
Even now, although the war was won in " shorts," their
position is still far from secure. The late Commander-in-
Chief in India would have abolished them, had he dared ;
but on his Q.M.G. telling him he had the whole army
against him, he refrained.
Those who rail against " shorts," khaki stockings and
brown shoes as " uniform " in the tropics, should be made
to take long dusty motor journeys, and work in a mud-
hut office, say, Tank, on the North- West Frontier, for a
whole summer, while forced to wear Bedford cord breeches
and leather gaiters. As one somewhat notorious for his
strict views on dress, I submit that, with a well-cut khaki
frock and a Sam Browne belt, the turn-out is particularly
smart.
Each of the five old regiments, raised in India, had its
characteristic, for which it was famed in the brigade.
The ist at Dharmsala was renowned for its shooting,
marching and band. The 2nd for polo and a wonderful
esprit de corps. This, though by no means wanting in the
others, was so particularly marked at Dehra Dun, that if
the men were all dying of scurvy, they would still perform
prodigies for the good name of the " siccon," as the Gurkhas
call the regiment. The 3rd was remarkable for its football
and, later, its excellent training ; the 4th, at Bakloh, for
its dress ; and the 5th at Abbottabad, for the good pro-
THE LITTLE MAN 175
fessional knowledge of the officers, their mountaineering
prowess and greater experience in hill warfare.
An outsider, talking to an officer of Gurkhas, was always
immensely struck by two things : firstly, by the affection
he displayed for his men, and, secondly, at the assured
manner in which he let it be known that his own battalion
was by far the best of the bunch. At only one period
during my long service with Gurkhas did I know of any
exception to the latter idiosyncracy. This was during the
tenure of command of the i/3rd Gurkhas by Hugh Rose,
when it was quite common, in any discussion of proficiency
in some matter of training, to hear the remark : " Splendid
at hill work (or whatever it was), couldn't be beaten,
except of course by the i/3rd."
For many years it was a sort of unwritten law/not to
be found in regulations, that a very tall officer should never
be appointed to Gurkhas. It is supposed to have originated
in the Bombay command at the time when the Commanders-
in-Chief of Bombay and Madras had a few nominations.
It was not, however, really very strictly enforced until the
great height of Ivor Philipps, of the 5th, called particular
attention to the anomaly of a man of, say, six feet four
inches, working on the hill-side with Gurkhas of five feet.
Lord Kitchener took up the matter keenly and laid down a
maximum of five feet nine inches, though that, too, I have
known evaded. His successor (O'Moore Creagh) annulled
the order altogether.
" K." was very jealous of his patronage regarding first
appointments to Gurkhas, and like Lord Roberts always
made them himself. He told me, personally, that the
" Commands " had put up a suggestion that they ought to
be allowed to make those appertaining to their own areas.
" I told them," said K., " that I quite agreed, but wasn't
going to let them ! "
The first time K. saw Gurkhas was at the Delhi man-
oeuvres, shortly after landing in India, and I happened to
be present. We were going round the outpost line of the
army defending Delhi. While watering horses and eating
sandwiches at midday in a " bagh " (grove of trees),
Smith-Dorrien, the adjutant-general, told him there were a
lot of Gurkha mounted infantry close by, and would he
like to see them.
" Yes," said K., " send for the O.C."
176 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Now Gurkhas are not, and never will be, horsemen.
Their thick legs and rounded thighs were not meant for
gripping the sides of a horse. This does not mean they
are not good horse masters, for they are, when properly
instructed (as evidenced by the reports from the M.I. schools),
but proficient, graceful and pleasing mounted soldiers they
are not.
However, this was just after the South African War.
The decree had gone forth that every infantry unit was to
have a proportion of trained mounted infantrymen, and
no exception was made for the poor little Gurkha ! He
was therefore issued with drawers, riding breeches and spurs,
and sent off in batches to the M.I. school. Just one of
those stupid, undigested orders so apt to be issued, where
the good old motto " In medio tutissimus ibo " is entirely
ignored, and slavish adoption of a rule held in much higher
estimation than skilful adaptation.
It was a little hard on the Gurkha that his first introduc-
tion to the great K. of K. should be on the back of a pony !
Presently the O.C. (Porteous, of the gth) arrived and walking
outside the copse with him, K. said :
" Take your men a good half-mile over there, gallop up to
about here, and come into dismounted action against that
mound, some eight hundred yards away."
Now K. liked everything done rapidly. If you covered
the ground quickly, every fault was forgiven. The first
time he saw my battalion in the field at Quetta, it was
executing a flank attack on an enemy in position. We
went much too fast, quite unrealistically so, and I expected
to hear about it. However, when the " Stand fast "
sounded he sent for me and said : " Your men move
very well, Woodyatt. They went fast, I like a good
pace."
Porteous could hardly have known this, but he hadn't
many flies on him, and they galloped up like the devil.
A bit ragged, but the men were soon out of the saddle, the
led horses nicely handled, and the attack on foot very well
carried out, though absurdly fast. K. was delighted and
began to ask Smith-Dorrien about Gurkhas. Spotting
General Hill, the Divisional Commander (a great person-
ality and one of the best known and most brilliant of all
Gurkhas), the A.G. called him up and I heard the following
conversation :
To face page 176
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HILL, C.B.
THE LITTLE MAN 177
K. " What sort of shots are these men ? "
Hill. " None better."
K. " Have they good eyesight ? "
Hill. " Can see through a brick wall."
K. " How do they stand hardship ? "
Hill. " They'll stand anything, except abuse."
K. " Humph ! A pretty useful sort of soldier,
apparently."
General Hill then saluted and walked off. That was
absolutely all that occurred. It is typical of K., who seldom
wasted words, and also very typical of Hill.
The temperament of the Gurkha soldier reminds one
of our public schoolboy. The same light-hearted cheer-
fulness, hatred of injustice, love of games and veneration
for superior ability or skill. There is the same tract-
ability, with dogged affection (if well treated), and also,
like the schoolboy, he works best and hardest with a
firm controlling hand. No punishment, however severe,
is ever resented if thoroughly deserved ; but with us,
punishments, I am glad to say, are usually few and far
between.
The Gurkha cannot stand " nagging." Once get the men
sulky owing to continual " nagging," and it is well-nigh
impossible for the aggressor himself to put matters right
again. Many years ago it was the fashion to assert that the
Gurkha should not be made smart ; his worth was so well
known that he might slouch about with impunity, and look
generally untidy. A great mistake, I am sure, for now no
battalion permits this, and the result is most satisfactory
in drill, discipline, field work, and appearance.
Unlike most soldiers, Gurkhas seem to rather enjoy the
many changes that have taken place in late years in drill,
manoeuvre, etc. It is something new! In the early
nineties free gymnastics were a great joke, and they were
immensely amused at " knees up." One often noticed at
these exercises small batches of their women-folk perched
on surrounding eminencies, evidently much entertained
at the antics of their lords, as, stripped to the waist, they
developed the muscles of their legs and arms.
On manoeuvres they show themselves born scouts, with
a wonderful eye for country, especially in the hills. The
art of skirmishing is to them second nature, and beyond
the broadest principles, any attempt to teach from the drill
M
178 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
book is unwise. On the range they are good shots some
of them particularly good.
When sick, the Gurkha is very sick, and in hospital he
looks the picture of woe ; but about going there, or reporting
himself ill, he is very whimsical. Be the medical officer,
or his native assistant, not to his taste, he will probably
do his own doctoring, in spite of exhortation to the contrary.
On the other hand, should either, or both, have gained his
confidence, then he puts himself readily under their care ;
nor does it matter a bit to what faith the native doctor, or
" doctor Baboo," as he calls him, belongs. I knew one
fine specimen of the subordinate medical establishment, a
Mahomedan, who was immensely liked and looked up to
by the men.
It is extraordinary how easily Gurkhas, of whatever class,
adapt themselves to European companionship. One can
go further and say they possess a marked faculty for hitting
it off with people of all nationalities. I mention elsewhere
how a Gurkha detachment at Amritsar, in 1920, were
received at first with black looks and offensive remarks,
when shopping in that city ; how they smiled it all down
until, after a month or two, relations between them and the
Sikhs of the city were quite amicable. Here is another
instance :
At Quetta, about 1910, half my battalion was told off to
garrison for six months the outposts of Robat on the Eastern
Persian frontier. This meant a short rail journey to
Nushki, followed by a desert march of some three hundred
miles across the Baluchistan district of Chargai, then
administered by a Lieut. -Colonel Webb- Ware, a dis-
tinguished frontier officer of the Political Department. He
also controlled numerous bodies of tribal levies garrisoning
Nushki and each post beyond.
On arrival of the detachment at Robat, Webb- Ware wrote
to tell me how well the men had behaved and what a good
impression they had made by their genial manners and
prompt payments. Also how much the inhabitants had
taken to them, although of an entirely different sect to
themselves. At the end of their stay I received further
eulogia, but my gratification was still greater when he
wrote me, after their return journey, saying, so much were
they liked that the levies had sent in to ask permission to
turn out guards of honour for them, a thing he had never
THE LITTLE MAN 179
known them even hint at before. He added : " In their
petition they also begged me to inform the writers what
kind of people are Gurkhas ? That they were said to be
Hindus, but the levies declared that they had never seen
any Hindus at all like them before, and were sure they
were some ' Naya kism Mussulman ' (new kind of Mahome-
dan ! ) "
The sequel to this is also amusing.
The last portion of Webb- Ware's letter was reproduced
in a battalion complimentary order. The result was that
a few days later my Gurkha officers, headed by the Subadar
Major, came to see me. Looking very solemn, they in-
formed me that the Gurkha officers of our sister battalion
were much upset about this order, as it would get about
in Nepal that some of the 7th Gurkhas had turned Mahome-
dan, and there would be dreadful complications. My brother
commandant and myself had a good deal of trouble getting
into their heads the meaning of fafon de parlsr.
On two or three occasions General Bruce has brought
Gurkhas home with him, and also taken them to Switzer-
land, etc. He tells me he was astounded how easily they
got on with all the races met with. It did not matter
whether it was a case of French poilu, Swiss guides, British
gamekeepers or English maidservants, the Gurkha smiled
at them all, and made friends. But in England he
much preferred the gamekeeper's cottage to the servants'
hall.
Even the millions at home, who hardly know the position
of India, have some vague feeling that Mr. Thomas Atkins
especially the Highland Atkins and the Gurkha are
great friends. They fight together, take walks together,
smoke together and drink together, the while the Gurkha
copies his paragon in all he does, even to learning his bagpipes.
That they are quite unable to converse does not seem to
matter in the least. Their tastes are similar, and they are
just attracted to one another and become pals.
In the second Afghan War (1878-80) Colonel Jack
Strachey was riding one afternoon through the streets of
Kabul, when he came upon an excited crowd gathered
round a gigantic Highlander of the Black Watch, just in
front of a shop. On pushing up to see what was the matter,
Strachey observed that the Highlander was quietly puffing
at his pipe and looking on, while a Gurkha, who reached up
i8o UNDER TEN VICEROYS
to about his waist, was holding forth in his own lingo, which
was as intelligible as Gaelic to the Afghans. Enquiring
what was the matter, the Highlander replied : " Well,
sir, I don't rightly ken. There's a deal of trouble about
some money I paid, but my little friend here is seeing to it,
and it's bound to be all right, sir."
The Gurkhas and the 42nd (Black Watch), in Kabul,
used to go about in pairs, sometimes jabbering fluently
in their respective tongues, although well aware the other
did not understand a single word. More often, though,
they sat together in silence, smoking. The fact that both
smoked pipes may have brought them into companionship.
I wonder if it was the sight of these pairs, in his daily rides
through Kabul, which gave Lord Roberts the inspiration
of a Highlander and a Gurkha as " supporters " in his
coat-of-arms.
This trait of atti activeness served Gurkha prisoners well
in the war. I had long talks in 1920 with an old batman of
mine in the 7th, who was three years with Germans and
Turks. He said all Gurkhas were well treated, except
during the march from Kut. Another, Kulbahadur Gurung,
had an account of his wanderings written. He was taken
prisoner in Gallipoli on 4th June, 1915, and spent three and a
half years, as a prisoner of war, in different parts of Turkey.
There he lived and worked with Australians, Italians,
French, etc., and sailors as well as soldiers. His story
shows that he was received with extraordinary sympathy
everywhere, and entirely as one of themselves.
The Gurkha is a very cheery little fellow, and many
think he is full of wit and humour. I agree with General
Bruce that this is not exactly the way to put it. What
he has really is an enormous sense of the ludicrous, and
anything ridiculous or comic excites laughter from him at
once. General Bruce gives me two instances :
The first Gurkha he took home sat with him to Vereker
Hamilton for the Kandahar picture. One afternoon Hamil-
ton took him to the Zoo, and suddenly introduced him to
the giraffe. It was such a surprise that, although in uni-
form, he fell into so immoderate a fit of laughter as to
finally collapse on the ground ! The same man on a diffi-
cult climb on the Baltoro Glacier, at a particularly dangerous
place, roped another Gurkha round the neck with a slip-
knot. Then, what with laughing himself, and the tightness
THE LITTLE MAN 181
of the slip-knot, they were eventually extricated with
extreme difficulty.
In Gallipoli two Gurkhas, having captured a Turk, put
him up in the corner of a trench and took alternate charges
at him with a fixed bayonet, missing him by an inch or two
each time. After having satisfied their bent for something
ludicrous by reducing the Turk to chewed string, they took
him away and fed him.
At Almora once, on the occasion of our annual inspection
dinner, a new orderly had been put into the mess, whose
duty it was to dust officers' Wellingtons, in the porch, with
a long feather brush. When the general arrived the little
Gurkha, getting somewhat excited at his exalted rank,
rather rushed at him. The brigadier being much surprised
by a man running at him with a stick, involuntarily stepped
away, when the long brush got between his legs, and,
tripping him up, he fell over backwards. The boy being
intensely amused burst into laughter ! The moment was
a most awkward one, and it took all the colonel's tact, and
much champagne, to prevent the battalion getting a bad
report !
The Gurkha is very fond of a looking-glass. He always
has one handy. Knowing this weakness, one of our officers
tried the effect of his much magnified shaving-glass on his
batman. Struck dumb at the sight of his own familiar
features so grotesquely enlarged as almost to be unrecog-
nisable, the little man turned it first this way and then
that in dead silence, and then promptly sat down convulsed
with mirth.
Every Gurkha wants to go to England, and to London.
They think the world of London, and " the bridge that
breaks in half " as they call the Tower Bridge. Every
wounded man in France when told he was being evacuated
to England immediately asked if he would see London.
To keep him happy and contented he was always told
he would. One of our ladies was visiting the wounded
Gurkhas at Brockenhurst. She found those of the 3rd very
querulous. They said : " We are now convalescent and
were promised we should see London, what then are we
doing in this jungle ? " I am not sure she did not take
up the whole lot at her own expense, for she has a very
large heart, and is most devoted to Gurkhas.
The same lady went to see other wounded Gurkhas at
182 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Brighton, where she found one man, with his jaw badly
shattered who appeared to be very friendly with his British
hospital orderly. Talking to the latter, he told her he had
been looking after this Gurkha for six weeks, and since
the start had done all he could to buy his kukrie.
Beginning with five shillings he had gradually gone up to
twenty, but the patient only shook his head. The lady
condoling with him, he added, " But I 'ave a ' soovneer '
after all. I've got one of his teeth ! "
Talking of souvenirs I happened to meet six hundred
Gurkhas entering Abbottabad on a few weeks' leave, to
see their families, after a long absence in Gallipoli, etc.
They were halting just outside the cantonment, and on
falling in I walked down the ranks. There wasn't a uniform
button amongst them. Asking a man the reason he talked
about " Asstrely " and " sufner " which I could not under-
stand, until a very intelligent N.C.O. told me that the
Australians had taken them all as souvenirs I
The Gurkhas admired the Australians immensely.
Thought them splendid fellows. And the feeling was
reciprocated. A soldier from the Australian hills was seen
tapping a Gurkha on the chest, and shouting at him hard :
"I'm an Australian Gurkha, come from mountains in
Australia, see ? "
It should be understood that our Gurkha soldiers hail
from every kind of climate in Nepal. That is to say, from
districts a few hundred feet above sea-level, as well as from
mountainous areas over ten thousand feet high. Also,
that large numbers live in regions which, for many months
in the year, are extremely malarious. It is this great
mixture of men, naturally affected by the conditions of
temperature, moisture, etc. , in which they have been brought
up, that has given to the Gurkhas the reputation, largely
deserved, of being a somewhat delicate race.
It is as well this should be known. As it is hardly
recognised in India, it is not likely to be understood at
home. Gurkhas at the present time have taken on the
role of " additional British troops " in India. In troublous
times they have exactly the same duties allotted to them.
I note they have now been sent to the Moplah country to
assist in quelling the rebellion there. As it contains highly
malarious tracts we must expect a biggish sick-roll.
Every Gurkha is supposed to be a shikari. It would be
THE LITTLE MAN 183
much more correct to say ALL are shikar lovers, but only
a very small minority has any real knowledge of game.
When you do get a shikari he is good, as good as they make
them, and quite fearless. I cannot illustrate the reliability
and trustworthiness of a Gurkha-soldier-shikari better
than by repeating a story told, I rather think, in the official
handbook on Gurkhas.
It happened a very long time ago, before the Mutiny,
and was told by Sir C. Reid, once of the 2nd Gurkhas and
known in London as " Gurkhy Reid." After relating how
a man he lost at Delhi had shot twenty-two tigers with
his old smooth-bore ; how Gurkhas never wasted a shot
and called their ammunition " kazana " (treasure) ; how
eminently they possessed that grand righting quality,
" courage," he quotes an old Gurkha saying : " It is better
to die than to be a coward." Then he tells his tale regard-
ing coolness, bravery and amenity to discipline.
Two officers at Dehra Dun hearing of a tiger " kill "
close to the cantonment, went after it at once. Having no
success they started home on the elephant with a Gurkha
orderly just in front, on foot, to show the way, and carrying
his old smooth-bore. Suddenly, as they were leaving the
jungle this man dropped on his knee and " presented," as
if to fire.
The officers got their rifles ready and pushed up the
elephant, but could see nothing. To get direction better
one called out " As you were," and the Gurkha brought
his rifle down as if on parade. Then " Present," and up
it went again, but no pull on the trigger, although the tiger
was only three paces away.
The younger officer shouting out that he could not leave
the gallant fellow alone like that jumped off the elephant,
but although he looked along the levelled barrel of the
orderly he could still see nothing. Putting up his own
rifle he told the Gurkha to fire. A terrific roar, a bit of a
rush and all was still. When the smoke cleared there was
the dead tiger with a ball in his brain which had entered
through the centre of the forehead.
The Gurkha takes readily to games. Football, undoubt-
edly, appeals to him most. When starting the " soccer "
game at Almora, in 1888, I had occasion to write to the late
Sir E. Marindin (then a major) on a nicety concerning the
" off-side " rule. In his reply he added a postscript : "I
184 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
am glad the Gurkhas are taking to football ; I hope they
don't draw their kukries when playing ! " He evidently
thought they would be hot-tempered over it ! But not
at all, they are very good-humoured, though a foul charge
does put their backs up. After football, quoits, putting
the shot, tug-of-war, and then hockey come next in their
estimation.
It is rather a curious fact that with such an active-minded
people the ruling clans have so little care for field sports,
or athletic games. Very different from Indians of the
same class. Beyond the great official tiger hunts, riding
and drill and manoeuvre, the ruling classes do not take a
great deal of outdoor exercise. The real keenness, for both
sport and games, seems to be characteristic of the peasant.
Gurkhas get much attached to their British officers, and
feel their retirement or transfer very keenly. They will do
wonders for officers they admire, and the amount of work
they can get through, when properly managed, is truly
marvellous. My old colonel (now General H. D. Hut chin-
son, C.S.I.), than whom there is no better judge, always
used to say that provided you gave the Gurkha plenty of
time for his two meals, and provided he saw some definite
end in view for his labours, you could work him or parade
him, with advantage, all day and every day.
The Gurkha has an excellent opinion of himself, is most
patriotic, and very fond of his country. Indeed, his
devotion to the latter is most touching, and his contempt
for some of the " plainsmen " of India is somewhat amusing.
A favourite orderly of mine once asked me during a halt
in the jungle if my father had served in the Indian Army.
On my telling him I had never had a relation out there,
he remarked quite solemnly : " That's like me ; I never
had a relative in this country either ! "
When there is no fighting to be done, the Gurkha is
decidedly domestic. He makes a capital husband and a
kind father. He frequently brings his wife with him from
Nepal, and in every battalion a married establishment of
from 200 to 250 is provided for. The youngsters born in
barracks are called " line-boys," and many of them make
good soldiers, signallers, bandsmen, etc., if well looked
after when young. In the field, too, these line-boys are
most conspicuous for their daring and courage, being
frequent leaders in an attack or assault.
THE LITTLE MAN 185
I was staying in the same house with Lord Kitchener
on his return from a visit to Nepal about 1906. Asking
him how he liked it and what he thought of Nepal, he said
he had enjoyed every minute of it and was never so surprised
in his life. He described how he was carried the last stage
in a dhoolie, 1 while " Birdie " (Sir William Birdwood) and
his adjutant-general (Sir A. Martin) walked, but couldn't
raise their legs without pain for three days, as it was mainly
steps.
Describing his visit, Lord Kitchener said he was intensely
surprised at the look of the country on getting out of the
dhoolie, for he had expected to see something like the hills
round Simla. Instead, what he saw was a beautiful valley
in front of him dotted with little houses painted green.
Country, he said, exactly like Switzerland and the
resemblance intensified by these houses, which looked so
thoroughly Swiss in shape and design.
" Then I was put into a roomy landau, horsed by very
fine walers, and driven along a splendid road to the capital
(Katmandu). There I found marble palaces, lighted by
electricity and full of Nepalese officers who were all generals
and always in uniform, like a continental nation. The
Maharajah was kindness itself, and meted out to us the
most splendid hospitality, while the big review was excel-
lently carried out by very soldierly looking troops."
Lord Kitchener took advantage of his visit to press for
permission to raise two more battalions of Gurkhas to the
then existing eighteen ; a question which had been hanging
fire for some time. The Maharajah wasn't very keen, and
the Chief did not advance matters much just then. A
friend of mine was in the carriage when Lord Kitchener
made his request, pointing out that it was Eastern Nepal
men he wanted, which would not be so great a drain.
Adding also that he was anxious to have a round number
of twenty battalions. In 1907, one more was agreed to
(my battalion, the 2/yth), and in 1908, another, the new
2/ioth.
Gurkhas are very fond of the Scotch bagpipes. In their
own country they have something similar. I don't quite
know when they were started, but I believe the old 4th,
in 1884, was the first unit to have a regular set. Almost
1 Species of covered roomy " stretcher " carried on the shoul-
ders of coolies.
186 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
every battalion has a complement of pipers now. It is
usual to send selected men to a Highland regiment for a
proper course of six months or more, with refresher classes
every two or three years afterwards.
There was much opposition at first by the regimental
bandmasters. When started in the 3rd Gurkhas, our
bandmaster was an Italian, a Signer Rossetti. He hated
them. When playing out at the club, etc., the pipers
marched up and down, playing, after each piece by the
band. One evening, to pull his leg, I went up to Rossetti
and said :
" Well, Signor, how do you think the pipers are getting
on ? " Up went both hands and, pulling a dreadful
grimace, he said, with much gesture :
" Don't mention them, I have played one wonderful
piece of music, and the beautiful melody is running in
my head, when [squeezing, in jerks, an imaginary bag
under his arm] whare, whare, whare, those blasted pipes
begin ! "
The great annual festival of the Gurkhas is called the
" Dasehra " * in honour of the goddess Kali 2 (the destroyer).
It takes place in September or October, lasts a week and
is much thought of by the men. Ten days holiday with us
is usually given to allow for the preliminaries, and also for
recovery afterwards from the orgies of food, drink and
revelry, which are a natural corollary to the celebrations.
On the big day the arms of the unit are " piled," with
bayonets fixed, in an improvised tabernacle, the floor of
which is carefully levelled and then "leeped," 8 while the
ground all round is lavered with water. The rifles are
adorned with flowers and blessed by a Brahman, for
Gurkhas worship the implements of war believing that it
is to the favour of the sword they owe their prosperity.
Just northward of this tabernacle is a stout post 4 to 5 ft.
high, with 2 or 3 ft. of it firmly embedded in the ground.
1 From earliest days a great Hindu military festival at the close
of the wet season, which was the period when military expeditions
were usually undertaken. The Mahrattas used to celebrate the
occasion in a way characteristic of them by destroying a village !
1 Wife of Shiva, one of the Hindu Trinity, i.e. (i) Brama, the
creator ; (2) Vishnu, the preserver ; (3) Shiva, the destroyer.
1 I.e. plastered carefully with a mixture of cow-dung and wet
clay.
THE LITTLE MAN 187
Round holes, capable of taking a stout rope, are bored in
the post at convenient heights from the ground.
When all is ready, the sacrifices commence by one goat
after another being anointed, brought up to the post, his
head secured against it, and then struck off by a stroke of
the kukrie. No bungling ever takes place. All sacrificial
animals are males, and death is absolutely instantaneous.
Some blood of each victim is sprinkled on the floor of the
tabernacle.
Last of all comes the piece de resistance, or the decapi-
tation of a young male buffalo with one stroke of the kukrie.
This is a most difficult feat and the executioner is specially
selected for his strength, activity, quickness of eye and
nerve. The buffalo, duly anointed, is led to the post with
much ceremony, and his head firmly secured to it. The
selected man, clad in new linen " shorts " and vest,
approaches the beast, carrying a very large kukrie. Using
both hands, he carefully measures distance, straddles his
legs, raises his arms very high and, with incredible swift-
ness, brings down his weapon, with a cut and a draw, right
through the nape of the neck to the dewlap.
I have seldom seen this bungled and it is a remarkable
feat. To be absolutely propitious, the buffalo should sink
on his knees and belly and not fall to one side.
With reference to these sacrifices it is most interesting
to read about peace, sin and trespass offerings in the third
book of Moses (Leviticus). Here we have a direct analogy.
Note the tabernacle, the priest, the sprinkling of blood,
the lavering of the ground, the clean linen breeches, the
anointment of the victim, his position and his male sex.
In conclusion, what more can I say about these splendid
little fellows who are such fighters, and yet so jolly with
it all ? Before the Great War, during the Great War, and
since the Great War they have indeed given of their best
for England. At their recruiting depot at Gorakhpur we
hope soon to see rest-houses erected surrounding a replica
of the Whitehall cenotaph. On this will be recorded the
heavy losses the men of Nepal sustained during the Great
War in our service ; while in a niche will be a semi-sacred
book containing the names and units of the glorious dead.
I write on Gurkhas. My enthusiasm is but natural
when I served with them for over a quarter of a century,
and my only son was killed fighting with them. But let it
i88 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
not be thought there are no other races in our Indian Army
who have an equally good fighting spirit, and can show a
grand and honourable record. There are many, and, as
I learnt after completing my regimental service, the number
of brave and gallant soldiers of all classes and creeds
included in that wonderful force passes comprehension. He
should be a proud man who has the good fortune to be
associated with them.
CHAPTER XIV
RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP
WHEN preparations were being started in the
early part of 1911 for the King George
V. Coronation Durbar to be held in December
of that year, I was astonished one day to
get a wire from my old friend Jack Strachey, then manager
of the Army and Navy Stores at home, asking if I would
look after one of the camps, provided he was given the
task of arranging all visitors' accommodation. Under-
standing that no troops would go from Quetta, the idea
had some attraction ; so, replying in the affirmative, I
received orders a couple of months later to report myself
at Delhi to Sir John Hewett, president of the Durbar
Committee.
There I found old Jack (who was on a tour of inspection
of his branches in India) wallowing in detail regarding the
question of the visitors' accommodation. My first job
was to survey and map out a large camp near the King's
site to accommodate Members of both Houses of Parliament.
Borrowing a plane-table, work was started, only to result,
after completion, in a wash-out, because it was ascertained
an autumn session and other reasons would prevent any
Members coming.
Hoping then to return to Quetta, where the command
of my battalion gave me quite enough to do, it was with
much disgust that I received instructions to take over
all the visitors' camps at Delhi, and command my battalion
at Quetta, at one and the same time !
Strongly objecting, the president was bearded, and he
told me Strachey could not be spared by his board of
directors, and he wished me to take his place. He reminded
me also that my services had already been placed officially
189
igo UNDER TEN VICEROYS
at his disposal. Giving me twenty-four hours to think it
over, I made certain conditions, including the appointment
of a locum tenens in Delhi itself, while I returned to Quetta
with a small establishment. All being agreed to at once,
there was nothing for it but to submit, with the best grace
possible.
Then followed the most strenuous six months' work that
ever fell to my lot. The only staff obtainable was a lance-
corporal of the Essex as clerk and superintendent, and a
post office baboo niched, with some difficulty, from the
superintendent of Postal Records in the Punjab. The
latter did all the accounts and was an excellent fellow ;
but, not being a trained accountant, had everything to
learn.
To facilitate concurrent battalion work, the Gurkha
Officers' Club, opposite my own orderly room, was com-
mandeered. There I was to be found daily from early
morn until 8 or 9 p.m., sending orders for camp equipment,
furniture, crockery and all the odds and ends required for
various camps to accommodate about a thousand visitors.
Or else framing budgets, revised one after the other,
checking accounts and trying generally to keep within
the estimates.
The camps and fees per diem, per head, for a minimum of
twenty days, were :
Ten guineas for double suites in Curzon House,
Six guineas for quarters in the Cecil Hotel (this Strachey
had most astutely hired for a month, as it stood, for Rs.
95,000, which an ungrateful Government cursed him for
doing, although eventually it was the only camp that paid
its way).
Five guineas for tents in Kudsia Bagh.
Two guineas for accommodation in the " Nicholson "
Camp.
I entirely disagreed with the committee over these
fees, holding that the variation was too great. Ten guineas
seemed to me too much, while two guineas was too little.
Intending visitors would shy at the former and think
the latter was a camp intended for European servants.
Although I was told to mind my own business, the result
justified my contention, for only nineteen suites were
taken out of twenty-seven in Curzon House, and Nicholson
Camp was not nearly filled. The Cecil Hotel and Kudsia
RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP 191
Garden accommodation was snapped up at once, the former
making a good profit and the latter paying its way.
Looking back on those days it conies home to me now
that there was really a great fund of amusement to be got
out of it all. At the time, however, to have your office
hourly besieged by one or other of my twenty-three worried
camp officers requiring instant decisions ; to be pestered
day and night by Britishers, Canadians and Americans
about non-receipt of invitations to the various functions;
to have visitors eluding their camp officers to make com-
plaints personally to me none of this seemed to me joy
then, and probably made me very snappish and irritable.
One morning I heard a rustle and, looking up, found a
well-known and extremely good-looking Austrian countess
at my side, who, plumping herself down on the edge of
my office table, motioned her companion to the only vacant
chair.
Asking what I could do for her she said, with a most
attractive foreign accent, that the Countess (pointing
to the lady in the chair, who was quartered next her in the
Cecil) wanted to change her room, as she could not sleep
because Sir Surname on the other side snored so badly.
Explaining that there were no vacant rooms, she then
proposed Sir Surname should be moved elsewhere, and
next to some people she had spoken to and squared. I
told her that Sir William (a well-known English baronet)
had taken his rooms through our London agent, and would
strongly object, because he had purposely got his two
sons (aged eighteen and nineteen respectively) placed next
to him in the hotel.
" But why," said this beautiful creature with a charming
smile, " they are not bab-bies, it is not as if they wanted their
mother ! " Seeing it was no use arguing, I told her I
could not interfere, adding that I had a camp officer
there on purpose to arrange these sort of things, and why
therefore did she come to me ?
" Oh," she smiled, " because they all say you are so
nice ! "
On the whole I think visitors were fairly satisfied, with
the exception of an irate general who abused me because
he had not got some particular invitation for a lady he
was interested in. Telling him I had nothing to do with
the selection for the invitations, I advised him to go and see
192 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Sir John Hewett. I believe he did, and got no change,
for the lady was a divorcee.
A high Canadian official at Curzon House was most indig-
nant because he had received no card for the " Investiture
ceremony." He told me in a remarkably nasal twang
how he had been assured in London he would get invita-
tions to all functions, free ; that, on the strength of
this, he had bought a court suit, with sword, and that
he didn't consider Canada was receiving the attention due
to her.
I expounded the fact that the Investiture was a Com-
mand, not an ordinary invitation. At the same time I
gave him a letter for Sir John Hewett, and eventually
getting his card, he was able to utilise the court suit, though
it was not in the least necessary.
The Durbar ceremony itself (i.e. the Royal proclamation
announcing the solemnity of His Imperial Majesty's Corona-
tion in London on 22nd June, 1911) took place on the same
site as in January, 1903, and comprised a large roofed-in
amphitheatre with tiers of seats and radiating gangways.
Below the bottom row and along the ellipse ran a broad
red road. Facing the centre, on the opposite side of the
road, was a raised dais and canopy with two thrones.
Behind these, running out into the arena, was a broad raised
gangway of a couple of hundred yards or so, leading to a
beautifully constructed pavilion, in which was another
pair of thrones facing the paraded troops. Behind the
troops again was a second huge roofless amphitheatre in
which was accommodation for the assembled multitude in
holiday attire.
A most impressive spectacle was the solemn procession
of the King-Emperor and Queen-Empress, crowned and
in state robes, from their thrones on the dais to the royal
pavilion. This took place directly the Governor-General,
the high officials and the ruling chiefs had individually
done homage. The dead silence, the stately march, with
equerries backing in front of Their Majesties all the way,
the royal robes with the long trains held by pages, the
scarlet-clad troops, and the gaily-dressed crowd beyond,
all helped to make as gloriously an impressive scene as
is possible to imagine. Not the least of the wonders of
that day was a Grenadier from London, in full dress, posted
in front of the royal pavilion, who stood at strict attention
RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP 193
with his cane under his arm, without the slightest movement,
for about two hours.
When the Durbar was over, and as the troops were
moving away, hundreds of natives pressed forward towards
the thrones in the royal pavilion and did puja (worshipped)
to them.
Even greater loyal emotion was shown at Calcutta a
few days after the Delhi Durbar. The King, noticing
the huge crowds at the principal ceremony and the great
distance they were being kept away, had heavy ropes brought
and an inner cordon formed much closer, with the aid
of these ropes held by police.
Intimation being given the crowd that they could come
up to the ropes, such a rush took place that the ropes
and police were swept away, and for some considerable
time the King was actually lost in the middle of an excited
mob ; but as safe as in the drawing-room of Buckingham
Palace. All they did was to touch the " hem of his
garments."
When he had gone away thousands worshipped the gold
chair he had sat in, and every particle of dust and sand
below the chair was gathered by nimble fingers to be treasured
till doomsday.
One incident in the Durbar proves how short a step
it is from the sublime to the ridiculous. In India there
is a saying that it is impossible to eliminate the sweeper l
and his broom from any function or gathering. Still,
one would think it impossible for him to figure in a royal
durbar. Nevertheless, he did in 1911, and photos snapped
of the amphitheatre when all had taken their seats, and
we were awaiting the arrival of Their Majesties, depict this
menial with his attendant broom emerging round a corner
of the dais ! He was soon hunted off by a terribly shocked
political.
Two other never-to-be-forgotten functions are stamped
on my brain, the homage ceremony at a bastion of the Delhi
Fort, and the fire at the Investiture.
As regards the homage ceremony it must be stated that
over a million inhabitants of the surrounding district
had been collected and assembled by the civil authorities
in the beta 2 of the River Jumna, close under the walls of
1 Very low-caste menial of the Conservancy Department.
* A sandy waste on the banks of a river.
N
194 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
the fort. This multitude was to march by and do homage
to the King and Queen seated, fully robed, in a bastion
jutting out from the fort wall.
My wife and I had got seats in an enclosure a few feet
to the right of Their Majesties. In common with the
majority, we had looked upon this particular performance
as a vast piece of humbug a sort of "by order "
function got up to please the King and Queen. But
Lord Hardinge and Sir John Hewett had known better,
and this we realised when we saw this huge mass of
people of all ages surging forward in excited batches,
through the well-arranged barriers, to do homage to their
King-Emperor.
It amazed us to behold with our astonished eyes the
spontaneous, genuine and impulsive feelings by which they
were undoubtedly actuated. To hear their cheers, shouts
and excited cries of " Badshah ! Badshah ! " (Emperor !
Emperor !) as they passed the Presence. Finally to note,
with big lumps in our own throats, that below the eyes
which blazed with so much enthusiasm, tears were running
down the cheeks.
If any corroboration were necessary it was given me on
my way home by a major of Indian infantry on duty in
the bela who told me he had been as sceptical as I
was before the event, and felt as small as I did at our defec-
tive forethought. We could see that the King and Queen
were deeply affected. In fact no one had expected so
emotional a scene.
The fire at the Investiture was a very near thing. The
function was held in a huge canvas hall draped in light
blue muslin, the colour of the " Star of India " order.
This was festooned in wave after wave along the ceiling,
and right down to the floor all round. It can easily be
imagined how this would have blazed to nothingness in
a few seconds had flames once touched it.
What happened was, a telegraph messenger, bringing
a wire to the tent next but one to this hall, and windward
of it, leant his bicycle with its lighted lamp against the
ropes of the tent while he tried to find someone to whom
to deliver his message. The breeze blowing over the bicycle,
the lamp set fire to the tent, and in less than two minutes
there was nothing left but charred canvas and bks of
burnt furniture. Fortunately the tent in between, belonging
RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP 195
to Lord Crewe, was cut down immediately, and that really
saved the situation.
Inside the hall we could plainly hear the roar of the
flames, which sounded only a few feet away, and every
second we expected to see them. There was a sudden
movement amongst the large audience of ladies, British
officials, non-officials, Indian nobles and native gentlemen.
Many rose up, turning towards the one entrance, but all
with their eyes on the royal dais.
Seated in the third row and actuated by a sudden impulse,
I remember standing on my chair, and shouting in a loud
voice, which sounded quite strange to me : "Sit down, oh !
do sit down."
Near by this had a good effect, but it appeared to me
that the spectacle of the King calmly persevering with
the investments, as if nothing had happened, did more
than anything else to stay the excitement.
It was not as if he did not know. For one thing, he could
not fail to hear the roar of the flames, and besides this the
Duke of Teck had slipped out at the back at once, and
returning had whispered the news to His Majesty. Adding,
I fancy, that Crewe's tent had been cut down, because
King George appeared much amused.
Early in the evening an entertaining thing happened.
The heralds having proclaimed by fanfare the arrival
of the King and Queen, and Their Majesties, after the
processional entry, having taken their seats on the dais,
the Queen suddenly got up and, with a small escort, walked
out again.
An excited Rajah, exactly in front, turned round to me
to say she must be ill. Shaking my head, he insisted
on repeating his remark, enquiring what else could it be ?
Not satisfied with my further negative motion, he jumped
about on his seat, and informed his right- and left-hand
neighbours that the Queen must be sick, very sick. Being
just as ignorant as he was of the cause, we felt puzzled,
but it seemed extremely unlikely to be sickness with a
private way out behind the dais, if required. When just
about to ask the Rajah if he was obliged to be so fidgety,
a flourish of trumpets was again heard, and in marched
the Queen, through the audience, in the sky-blue robes
of the Star of India. Making an obeisance to the King,
she was invested with the order of Grand Commander,
ig6 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
after which His Majesty, assisting her to rise, kissed
her full on the lips in front of us all. I very nearly
cheered !
One sad event, indeed a tragedy, in Kudsia Garden Camp,
really marred the pleasures of the Durbar. About midnight
towards the end of the King's visit, my medical officer
came to tell me that an American visitor named Harris
(Harris' agricultural machinery) had got confluent small-
pox. Asking why I had not been told before, he said he
was not certain until that night, and did not wish to raise
an alarm in such a large camp with the occupants of this
tent, in the middle of a line of several others. This seemed
a bit lame, but the only thing to do was to get the case
away somewhere.
Mr. Harris was on his honeymoon with a young and
extremely pretty bride, and a boy of fourteen, the issue
of a former marriage. He was a religious enthusiast, and
had been attending missionary meetings in the Delhi City,
where it was supposed he had contracted the disease.
The doctor was sent off immediately in a car to see the
Durbar health officer, a stoutish colonel, who, waked out
of his beauty sleep, was not very helpful. He absolutely
refused to take the patient into his segregation camp,
nor did he give any feasible alternative. It was now
2 a.m. and there was nothing more to be done that
night.
Having heard, as a dead secret, that Leslie Cheape, of
the Inniskillings, was a smallpox patient in the Hindu Rao
hospital on the Ridge, but that the fact was being kept
very dark to prevent alarm, there seemed to be in this
a possible solution of our difficulty.
Calling up the medical officer in charge of his hospital
at 6 a.m., I told him of our case and asked him to take it
in. Very indignant he was ; couldn't dream of such a
thing ; his hospital was not for contagious diseases, etc.,
etc. Mentioning that I happened to know what Leslie
Cheape was suffering from, there was a brief silence, and
then a voice came through : "I'll send an ambulance
over at 3 p.m. ; please have patient ready then ! "
The camp officer, two orderlies and myself, carrying poor
Harris to the bullock ambulance, accompanied it to the
outlet gate on to the main road. There we found the
men of a British infantry unit lining the street on both sides.
RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP 197
It was for the King's passage to some function, and this
road we had to cross. Causing a slight commotion by
getting the men to make way, their colonel galloped up,
extremely angry, to ask why the devil we were upsetting
his dressing, and ordered the men back immediately.
Saying how anxious we were to get the ambulance through,
he answered me that it was quite impossible, as the King
was almost due. " Very well," I said. " Just as you
like, then, we stay here, but this is a case of confluent
smallpox." The ranks were opened at once, and we got
through.
Next morning Mr. Harris died at 4 a.m., and in the
evening we buried him in the little cemetery just behind
the statue of John Nicholson. It was a cruel beginning
of married life for his poor wife, who bore her loss with
true fortitude, supported as she was by her deep religious
convictions. We visited her frequently, and took her books,
at the Hindu Rao hospital, where she and her young
stepson had to wait over ten days in segregation before
returning to America.
It was most fortunate that we had no other cases, and
due, I consider, to the precautions at once taken. Having
pulled down the batch of Harris tents, I had them dragged,
together with the matting, furniture, carpets, all his clothes,
bedding, etc., to a space behind, where they were instantly
burnt ; while everything belonging to Mrs. Harris and
the boy, together with a few sentimental relics of her
husband, were thoroughly fumigated and disinfected. All
the remaining visitors were informed of what had taken
place in order that, if they so wished, they could go else-
where, but no one left.
Shortly after the Durbar, Field-Marshal Sir William
Nicholson, having completed his tenure as Chief of the
Imperial General Staff at the War Office, was raised to
the peerage as Lord Nicholson. He was then deputed to
India as president of a commission to advise regarding
reductions in Indian military expenditure.
The findings of the commission were not unanimous.
That is, there was a strong minority report which dis-
favoured the recommendation that India should not be
required to supply, even herself, from her own munition
factories. The feelings of all thinking soldiers were with
the minority, and that's about all there is to say.
198 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
There are a good many stories about Lord Nicholson
as C.I.G.S., 1 two of which are quite worth repeating :
One morning he suddenly decided he would go and
inspect the cavalry depot at Canterbury. The staff were
informed, the depot warned by telephone, and off he went,
by motor, accompanied by one staff officer. On arrival
it was found the O.C. had gone off to a wedding, but Sir
William was met by a young officer with an eyeglass who
addressed him in French ! Assuring the boy he knew
English quite well, the usual round was made, both the
C.I.G.S. and his staff officer being much puzzled by this
young officer's manner and his treatment of them.
During luncheon with the officers the O.C., having been
urgently sent for, returned. When asked whether the
War Office telephone message had been duly received,
he said " Yes," but they had also been warned to expect
a visit from a Russian general. The boy had jumped
to the conclusion that Sir William was the foreigner.
On saying " Good-bye," Nicholson when stepping into
his car, turned to this youth and said : " Even now
I don't believe you know who I am." A fatuous smile
being the only response, Sir William added : " Well, I'm
commonly called the Chief of the Imperial General Staff
and First Military Member of the Army Council."
" Good God ! " gasped the lad, " what's that ? "
Lord Nicholson was extremely fond of quoting Horace
and the Bible, being a master of both. These quotations
served him well on many occasions. Here is an example :
In 1909, when C.I.G.S., he had to preside at a banquet
of officials and others in connection with the scheme for
the new Territorial force. Amongst the after-dinner
speeches, one was delivered by a very irate and injured
Volunteer colonel, who told the Army Council in unmeasured
terms what he thought of them and their treatment of the
Volunteers. The whole table was quite uncomfortable.
Many wondered how the chairman would be able to refute
the speaker's charges and arguments, which had been ably
put.
Rising to reply, the C.I.G.S. touched on other points
brought up, and coming to the speech of this indignant
warrior, said : "As for Colonel 's charges, I am indeed
sorry he should think he has been so badly treated by the
1 Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP 199
Army Council. I can only ask him to take comfort in the
words of the scripture, that ' He whom the Lord loveth,
He chastiseth.' "
The roar of laughter which followed, in which the
aggrieved one himself had to join, entirely eased the situ-
ation. There was nothing more to be said.
" Old Nick," as he was often called, had held many
appointments at Simla, including those of military secretary
to Lord Roberts and adjutant-general to the Army. He
was therefore well known in India when he took his seat as
president of this Army Commission. One of the members
was Sir W. Meyer, now " High Commissioner for India,"
in London, and to him is given credit for the most appro-
priate allusion to Lord Nicholson's sobriquet of " Old
Nick."
At the first meeting of the commission Meyer was late.
Coming into the room with his little mincing steps, and
seeing so many military members seated at the table, he
stopped short, exclaiming : "I feel like Daniel in the lions'
den ! " Then, after a pause, " But I am much worse off
than Daniel. He put his trust in the Lord, while / can
only hope for support from Old Nick ! "
A year or two later the very interesting officiating
command of the ist Quetta Infantry Brigade fell to my lot.
After holding it nearly six months orders came appointing
me to the general staff as G.S.O.I., 8th (Lucknow) Division,
with summer head-quarters at Darjeeling. It was a matter
of great regret to both of us to leave Quetta, but it couldn't
be helped, and we felt that we had been extremely lucky
to remain there undisturbed for nearly six years.
When you are moved there is nothing like a real good
move, which is certainly the case when it is a matter of
going from Quetta to Darjeeling, a distance of over two
thousand miles by rail. In the month of July, too, across
the Sirhind Desert with a wife, two Gordon setters, two
horses, two orderlies and six servants, to say nothing of
mountains of luggage. Great were the preparations, for
the dogs had to be shaved, household effects packed, and
arrangements made for a halt in Calcutta after four nights
running in the train.
But what did it matter ? Wasn't it a matter of con-
gratulation to be appointed a first-grade general staff
officer before you have finished your regimental command,
200 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
and didn't we long to see Calcutta, which neither of us
had ever visited ? Nor was the journey half so bad as
we expected. What with reserving a whole compartment,
keeping it tightly closed by day, and filling a large tin tub
with a block of ice, the carriage was comparatively (!) cool.
The dogs were in clover near the ice, and the horses were
kept comfortable with ice-caps on their heads.
Darjeeling was mostly enveloped in mist, and it never
ceased raining. Even in the early autumn it was only
occasionally one got a glimpse of the glorious snows with
Kinchinjunga (28,100 feet) overtopping everything else.
By going five miles to a small rest-house, and getting up
before dawn, we saw the highest peak of Mount Everest
(29,002 feet) tipped by the rising sun. We missed the
American invasion, which came annually a little later in
the year. Sallying forth from their hotels at 3 a.m., these
indefatigable sightseers would rush up to this bungalow
to add to their bag a glimpse of the highest mountain in
the world.
At the beginning of the following year came my first
introduction to the Y.M.C.A., at a concentration (which
included a large number of British units) held at Dacca,
in Bengal.
The Y.M.C.A. was a movement in which my divisional
commander took much interest, and which, with his usual
foresight, he felt would eventually become of inestimable
benefit to our men. He made rather an amusing slip in
an official letter about getting a branch to Dacca, when
he ended up : " In fact, I feel certain the British soldier
will much appreciate the presence of the Y. W.C.A." !
The response by the Y.M.C.A. to his request far exceeded
our most sanguine expectations. We found on arrival a
large staff assembled under the direction of Mr. Callan,
who made such a name for himself later in France. There
was a huge shed for addresses and lectures, with roof and
walls of matting. Its capacity was a thousand soldiers.
There were writing and other rooms attached, where
letters could be written, and various indoor games played.
In addition, preparations had been made for all sorts of
outdoor tournaments, from football, hockey and swimming
to badminton and tennis. Lectures and addresses took
place at 7.30 p.m. and the general and I went frequently,
and sang lustily the opening chorus of " Oh ! my darling,
RUNNING A DURBAR CAMP 201
oh ! my darling, oh ! my darling Clementine," much to the
delight of the soldiers !
On the first night Mr. Callan told the audience the aims,
objects and achievements of the Y.M.C.A. He was a born
orator with a telling voice, lucidity of expression, and
fluent delivery. He explained that there was much mis-
apprehension regarding their object and aims. That
many thought they were intent on ramming religion down
the soldier's throat, whereas their main desire was to provide
him with healthy recreation for mind and body, so as to
maintain both in a clean and fit state. He instanced this
misunderstanding about religious pressure with the follow-
ing tale :
" Why, coming here to-night I met Private O'Brien of
the whom I had known in Calcutta as being a good
deal addicted to the wet canteen, but not a bad fellow.
' O'Brien,' says I, ' I trust we shall see you at our shows
here.' ' Well, no, Mr. Callan,' said he, ' I can't very well
come to your shows, as I don't carry the brick.' '
I sat between the colonels of the Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders and the " King's Own." When " carrying the
brick" was mentioned there were roars of laughter from the
men. I whispered in turn, to each, asking the meaning of
the phrase. Neither knew, nor had I heard it before myself.
Afterwards I had to tackle Mr. Callan, who told me it was
a soldier's expression for carrying the Bible, and meant
that a man had found or " got," as he expressed it, religion.
We were all much impressed with the great work done
by the Y.M.C.A. at Dacca. Since then the world has seen
what an immense boon the Association has proved itself
to our soldiers in the field.
Among other military diversions at Dacca, many experi-
ments were made in crossing a river by cavalry and artillery
with their horses, arms, saddlery and guns as quickly as
possible. Rough rafts were easily constructed, as well as
inflated bags (one called the " Wheatley," invented by an
officer of Indian cavalry) , bales of compressed hay, balloon-
like tarpaulins filled with dry grass, etc. The last gave the
greatest buoyancy. I reproduce a photograph of the
crossing of a fifteen-pounder gun, the motive power being
a horse swimming on each side of the raft with his head
held by a gunner.
We had a competition between a squadron of the I2th
202 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
and one of the i7th Cavalry. The men and horses, fully
armed and accoutred, were drawn up on one bank. At
a given signal all had to get to the other side as quickly as
possible without wetting their clothes, rifles or ammunition.
Then dress, saddle up, mount and gallop away in line from
the further bank. The bags, bales, tarpaulins, etc. (filled),
were ready at the water's edge, and they could take their
choice.
Lord Carmichael, the Governor of Bengal, came down to
see the show, and at the signal " Go ! " it was very interesting
indeed to see three or four of the best swimmers throw off
their uniforms and dive in, carrying across rope ends as
guides for the means of transport selected. Then all got
stark naked (British officers included), stacked rifles,
ammunition, uniform, saddlery, etc., on the conveyance
chosen, while one half of the men swam over to receive the
horses and the remainder drove them all in, crossing with
or after them. The I2th won by a small margin, and the
time from the start until the order was given to gallop off
in line, fully dressed, was under half-an-hour. A very fine
performance !
CHAPTER XV
SEDITION IN INDIA
BEING at home in 1914 on eight months' leave from
my Lucknow appointment, the ominous portents
which heralded the advent of the Great War
found me in London offering my services to the
War Office.
Early in the morning of Saturday, the ist August, I
met a friend, Buckle of the West Rents, with a beam-
ing face, who told me he had just received his orders,
and was off to take up some appointment that evening.
Agreeing to lunch with me at the " Senior," it was a
matter of great surprise when he came to my room soon
after noon with a most dejected air, saying his orders
had been cancelled, and asking if I had not heard the
news.
On saying, " What news ? " he told me that a Cabinet
Meeting that morning had decided that (even with Bel-
gian neutrality violated) under no circumstances would
England enter the war. Hardly believing my ears, I
told him such action was impossible, but he replied that
there was no doubt about it, and that he was off at once
to his home in Surrey. That was the last I ever saw
of Buckle, who was killed in action very early in the
war.
Returning to the club for lunch, I found Lord Morley
at the next table, and evidently in very good-humour with
himself, which seemed somewhat to confirm Buckle's
report. His presence, after being a party to such an incon-
ceivable decision, quite put me off my own lunch, and it
was with a kind of fascination that I watched him put
away a large brandy and soda, and a glass of port, with an
old brandy in the smoking-room afterwards. Then, to my
203
204 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
relief, he disappeared, when I pondered over the wisdom
of the club's rule which makes Cabinet Ministers honorary
members, and thought what an advantage the concession
must be when they wish to get away from political dis-
sentients.
The next thing to do was to get back to the War Office.
Groups of officers were walking about, instead of working,
in a very excited manner, and you heard such remarks
as : " Good God! how can one ever visit France again or
even go overland to Marseilles en route to India," etc.,
etc.
Wishing to get some confirmation of this Cabinet Meeting
decision, I looked up an old pal of mine, who was always
full of information. Not finding him in his office, I rang
the bell and asked the messenger what Colonel B. was
doing, and when he was likely to be in again. From
his replies I gathered that B. had gone off indefinitely,
with no apparent intention of returning; that he was in
a very bad temper, and had used the most appalling
language !
The War Office appearing to be a most gloomy and
undesirable spot, with no one doing any work, and my
wife and belongings being at Westward Ho ! the notion
took me to go down there. Rushing back to the club, I
found I could get a train at 4 p.m. from Paddington to
take me as far as Exeter. In the hall I met Sir Henry
McMahon, soon to be High Commissioner in Egypt, to
whom I imparted the news about the Cabinet Meeting,
which, to my great relief, he scoffed at. Still, there was
a lot of evidence on the other side, so I decided to carry
out my plan of desertion, wired for my car to meet me at
Exeter early Sunday, and duly caught the four o'clock
train.
On Monday, the 3rd, Sir Edward Grey made his famous
speech, and about 3 a.m. the next morning a man shouting
outside awoke me with a telegram reading : " Return at
once. War Office." The same evening saw me again in
London, hearing the glad tidings that the Cabinet had
decided to declare war on Germany on account of their
invasion of Belgian territory, and that Morley, Haldane
and John Burns had accordingly resigned. At the same
time a communication was received from the India Office
telling me to hold myself in readiness to return at once to
SEDITION IN INDIA 205
India, which was rather a cold douche after my castles in
the air, on the upward journey, of an early crossing to
France.
Retiring to bed at my club shortly after midnight, I
found the tape recording the fact that we had actually
declared war. This momentous news, coupled with grave
misgivings as to my success in evading the India Office
order, so preyed on my mind, that, sleep being impossible,
I changed into flannels and walked the London streets
until daybreak.
In Trafalgar Square, about 5 a.m., while drinking a cup
of coffee at a stall, one of the London waifs and strays in
tattered clothing accosted me, to say he was very hungry
and thirsty, had slept on a bench all night, and it was
a lovely morning. Inviting him to coffee and buns,
he told me, while he drank, what he would do as re-
gards the war, if he were Prime Minister. How he had
held responsible positions abroad, but been unfortunate
enough to lose them. How he had visited India and
the Cape, and still hoped for another appointment some-
where !
He ended up with the coming war again, and the
assertion, which astonished me and I pooh-poohed, that
it would last for years, thus being even before Lord
Kitchener in a correct prediction. He talked extremely
well, with quite an educated voice, and had evidently seen
better days, but I did not press for details of his history.
He was a deplorable-looking object, and the three cups of
coffee and three buns I stood him must have been very
acceptable. Rather to my disgust he insisted on accom-
panying me back to the club, where the page boy at the
entrance to the residential quarters appeared very shocked
at my choice of a companion !
Deciding to lay my case with its extraordinary record
of ill-luck about ever getting on service, anywhere before
Sir Edmund Barrow, the military secretary at the India
Office, I got close to his door on the 5th August about ten
o'clock. Just then he appeared in the passage, looking
very worried, with a closely-written sheet of foolscap in
his hand. After greeting me he asked if I were very
busy, but without waiting for any answer, handed over
the paper, with a bunch of keys. He told me he must go
at once to the Secretary of State, and would I please
206 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
encipher the message I held, saying the cipher was in the
right-hand drawer of his table.
Looking over the document I found it was from the
Secretary of State to the Viceroy, making suggestions about
the two divisions for France, and making proposals regard-
ing what officers from India, on leave in England, should
be allowed to remain, and who must return immediately.
Scanning this part with feverish haste, I read the fol-
lowing words, which are for ever burned into my brain :
"... I am sure your Lordship will agree with me that
all officers holding staff appointments in India must re-
turn at once." That seemed to cook my goose, but I
had no time to think, for there was the telegram to be
enciphered.
Now, while coming up the India Office stairs, I thought
I saw near the top a man called Torrie, 1 brigade-major to
the cavalry brigade at Lucknow, and that he appeared to
be hastening to avoid me. Looking round, the way he
had gone, his nose which was abnormally large was
distinctly visible round a pillar. Approaching it, I found
no one there, but the nose again appeared behind a further
pillar. Feinting on one side while quickly moving to the
other, I bumped into Torrie, and asked him what on earth
he was playing at.
He explained that he was temporarily employed at the
War Office, and expected to be sent over to Belgium imme-
diately. That he had come to draw some money, but was
in mortal dread of meeting his brigadier, General Cookson,
who had been wiring everywhere to find him. That, if
successful, the general would certainly put a stop to his
War Office work and drag him out to India, whence we
had all been warned to be ready to start. This, then, was
the reason for the game of hide-and-seek, and, imploring
me to tell no one, Torrie disappeared down a corridor
leading Heaven knows where.
While enciphering the wire, the door opened and Cook-
son's head appeared. Seeing me instead of Sir Edmund
he asked what I was doing there, and being told, began
about Torrie, saying he could get no news of him at all.
That he wanted to get out to India at once, as he was sure
his brigade of cavalry would go to France, but he must
1 A major in the 26th Light Cavalry, later temporary O.C. ist
Life Guards killed in the war.
SEDITION IN INDIA 207
have his brigade-major. Muttering something, I went on
with my work and Cookson disappeared. To the best of
my knowledge, neither of us ever set eyes on poor Torrie
again. He was, I believe, in Belgium very shortly after-
wards.
It is interesting to add that the two divisions detailed
for the Indian Corps were not the 3rd (Lahore) and yth
(Meerut) which eventually went to France, but the 3rd
and 6th (Poona). The change was made at the instance
of Lord Kitchener, who, not knowing them, did not believe
in Mahrattas, whereby he did them a great injustice, for
their record in Mesopotamia and elsewhere surprised many,
and was second to none.
I had just finished the enciphering when Sir Edmund
returned. Opening my own case, as soon as I could, I got
no change whatever ! Indeed, when persisting, I was met
with the curt remark that it would be very inadvisable,
in my own interest, to press the matter any further, and
that I would sail in the Dongola on the nth August. This
I was determined I would not do, for my divisional
commander being also at home on leave, I had made up
my mind before that, if I really had to go, I would sail with
him in the P. & 0. ship Multan, in which he was to embark
on the yth August.
But I was to make one more futile effort. Lord
Kitchener was the Colonel-in-Chief of my old regiment, the
7th Gurkhas, and had selected me, as C.O., to raise the 2nd
battalion. Going to see FitzGerald next day, I asked him
to get me an interview. Here again I had no luck, for
although " K." received me quite nicely, I no sooner
mentioned my wish and begged for his help with the India
Office than he got quite cross, and told me he had received
so much obstruction from the hands of the officials there
that he would ask nothing more.
So the Multan it was, and a regular nightmare of a
voyage, for everyone felt he was going the wrong way.
When starting off to confirm our passages, I met my
divisional commander, who upset our calculations a good
deal by saying : " You can't take your wife. I've been
told I can't take mine." This was most awkward, and all
the way to the P. & O. steamship office I pondered over
what I could do. By the time I got there the best plan
seemed to be to take the booking official into my confidence,
208 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
after judiciously sounding him about ladies' passages to
India.
He had not heard of any restrictions, but said of course they
might come later. To avoid trouble, I persuaded him to put
my wife down on the list as " Mrs. Wood- Smith," of Australia,
while allowing our cabin tickets to remain unaltered. This
was all right at first, and during the voyage I forgot all
about it. An unfortunate lapse, for at Aden we tran-
shipped into the S.S. Salsette. Finding the new steward
removing my baggage out of our cabin, I stopped him
doing so at once, and he walked off. Returning shortly,
he asked me to speak to the purser, and going to his office,
I was confronted with the charge of forcing myself into
Mrs. Wood-Smith's cabin ! The matter took quite a lot
of clearing up, for there were no passports in those days,
and finally I had to call in my divisional commander to
identify us !
Going up the gangway of the Multan, I was deprived
of the gun-case in my hand, on the grounds that immediate
sinking would follow capture, if any arms were found on
board. Being an expensive gun, its loss was a consider-
ation, so, going to the captain, I asked for an assurance
that he would not sail without me, while I went back to
find someone to take it to London. The result was
permission to put it on board, which it only took me a few
minutes to promulgate to everyone, for the quay was full
of officers, gun-cases in hand, running about to find an
agent to take them over.
The India Office had given me a mass of secret documents
for Aden and India, with strict orders to sink them in the
sea if we were captured. I handed some over to the captain,
but the most important he absolutely refused to take.
Lashing them to a small crowbar, for speedy submersion,
the purser was persuaded to put them into his safe. He
promised in an emergency and in case of my own demise
to sink them himself.
We had over seventy officers of the Egyptian Service
on board, many without berths. Also returning to his
country incognito, Prince George of Greece, whom it took
those interested many days to identify. We were daily
assured by some inquisitive lady or other that So-and-so
" was really the Prince." He would not have been nattered
at some of the representations.
SEDITION IN INDIA 209
At Port Said we saw Major (now Brigadier-General)
Crauford, Gordon Highlanders, who had laid his hands on
eight German Hausa Line steamers. His official appoint-
ment was, I believe, that of censor !
Amongst the Egyptian officials was the Sirdar, Sir
Reginald Wingate, and the late Lord Edward Cecil, the
Financial Adviser. From them we gathered the following
illuminating account of Kitchener's visit to Dover, a few
days before, when about to return to Egypt, with his staff,
on board a destroyer.
What I gathered was that when the train reached Dover,
K. received a message on the platform to say he was
wanted on the telephone by Mr. Asquith. " Damn Mr.
Asquith," said K. " I'll have nothing more to do with
that Government. They are a lot of haverers, and I
hate haverers."
It was only after much persuasion that he eventually
consented to enter the telephone box, and then his remarks,
bawled out in a loud voice, could be heard all over the
station.
This is possibly the origin of the report, so commonly
believed, that Mr. Asquith was very adverse to the
appointment of Lord Kitchener as Secretary of State for
War. That indeed he actually pressed him to take a joint
Under-Secretaryship with Lord Haldane, while he himself
retained the War Office portfolio. K., however, would
accept nothing but the post of unrestricted War Secretary,
with a seat in the Cabinet, and eventually he got his way.
Coming out of the box, somewhat ruffled and red in the
face, he snapped out an order for a " special "back to London.
Late at night on the 5th August, having a look at the
tape in the club hall, on the way to bed, I had seen it tapping
out : " Lord Kitchener has been appointed Secretary of
State for War." So great was my delight that, inadver-
tently, I went upstairs humming loudly, and continued
to do so as I began to undress. The door opening, a figure,
in pyjamas, appeared and, with hand on hip :
" Are you obliged to make that noise ? " it asked.
A burst of laughter, I was so tickled, was my first
rejoinder, hastening to add, as wrath was gathering :
" Indeed I am. It is very inconsiderate of me, I allow,
and I apologise, but I've just seen the tape record that
Kitchener has been made Secretary of State for War."
o
210 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
To my astonishment the figure drew itself up to " Atten-
tion," saluted and, saying, " Hurrah ! I entirely forgive
you," disappeared.
As it was the next room door that closed, I looked him
up, and found he was a naval commander ; but I forget the
name.
On the Multan we were not in as bad straits as on the
Dongola, which sailed for India on the nth August with
about one thousand three hundred officers, who had great
difficulty in getting meals, and were so inextricably mixed
up that it took ten days to get a list of them made out.
Arriving at Southampton, the officers saw about half a
mile of their luggage stacked on the quay with no porters
to handle it.
My friend, Major-General Sir Godfrey Williams, the
Director-General of Military Works, told me that they had
to put it on board themselves. That, while staggering
up the gangway amongst a crowd of officers carrying their
own baggage, with a suit-case in one hand and a heavy
kit-bag held on the other shoulder, he was forced into the
man in front of him by the crush behind. This man,
turning his head as much as he was able, called out angrily :
" To hell with your pushing, sir, do you know I'm a
major-general ? "
To which Godfrey replied in great wrath : "To hell
yourself, for I happen to be a major-general too ! "
Evidently these officers also felt they were going the
wrong way !
The S.S. Multan reached Bombay on 2Qth August, 1914,
and my divisional commander, the A.D.C., and myself
proceeded at once to our destination, Lucknow. My
general, however, only stayed there a few days, being moved
up to command the northern army vice General Sir James
Willcocks, given the Indian Army Corps on the Western
Front. Entirely lost as I felt without him, and impossible
as it was to get overseas, my promotion very shortly after-
wards, as deputy adjutant-general (additional) army head-
quarters, with the rank of brigadier-general, was very
welcome.
Joining immediately, it appeared my appointment would
keep me in Simla during the winter, as head of the adjutant-
general's branch there, while army head-quarters took
up its cold weather residence in Delhi. In addition to
SEDITION IN INDIA 211
being director of personal services, with much other detail
of discipline and administration to attend to, my most
important task was the organisation, and future conduct,
of all arrangements for " enemy subjects " in India of
military age. This included those who were residential
and those, many being combatants, captured on the sea
and in East Africa, Mesopotamia, Persia, etc.
The undertaking seemed a truly formidable one, not
only because it comprised the framing of rules and
regulations as regards their apprehension, internment,
location and treatment ; but also because none of us had
the very ,vaguest notion of the correct procedure, nor had
we any former experience to guide us. The " military
age " varied according to nationality, and in some countries
priests and medicals were deemed to be exempt, while in
others they were not, e.g. Germans and Austrians. All
" enemy subjects " who were above or below military age
including all women and children were dealt with by
the civil authorities.
After a short time, with work at a very high pressure,
chaos was relieved, but we were always having to increase
our accommodation. At first Ahmednagar, near Poona,
in the Bombay Presidency, was the selected spot, for those
of military age as well as others, but as this place got filled
up, those under the civil authorities were moved to the
Fort at Belgaum, where there were many houses and very
good quarters.
As Turkish prisoners arrived, I had to think of some other
locality, as it would have been inadvisable to incarcerate
them near a Mahomedan population. Burma was selected,
and at Thayetmyo, Meiktela, etc., we had eventually over
ten thousand.
It was surprising the amount of money the Germans had.
Many of course were business men in the large cities. The
commandant at Ahmednagar wrote to me early in the war
to say that the large sums in their possession, and the heavy
remittances coming to them, were a source of danger. By
permission of the Postmaster-General I got any limit for
deposits in the local post office withdrawn entirely, and the
money put in there, no prisoner being allowed more than
fifty rupees in his possession at one time. Eventually the
assets of all " enemy subjects " were taken over and dis-
posed of by Government.
212 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Getting authentic information from the South of India
that members of the Basil Mission were communicating with
the S.S. Emden, and were also reviling the Government
habitually to the natives, I ordered the internment of fifty-
two at Ahmednagar. Amongst these were German Jesuit
priests and doctors who, being of military age, came under
my jurisdiction as liable for enemy service.
The Home Member however thought otherwise and, being
impeached by him, I had the honour of a special citation on
paper before the Members of Council up to the Viceroy, but
was saved by Sir Beauchamp Duff's note, running : "I
only wish he had interned the whole lot. B. D." When
the case came down again, through the Council, as is the
rule in the case of contradictory noting, the Home Member
wrote : " After the remarks of His Excellency the Army
Member, I do not wish to press the case any further " !
More than four long years afterwards, when inspecting
the Ahmednagar internment camps as G.O.C. Poona
Division, I came across these men standing by their cots at
" Attention," the priests in beautiful white garments, well
got up and splendidly starched. I must confess I felt sorry
for them living all those years behind barbed wire, and
wondered whether they had any idea that the general
going round was the very one responsible for their incar-
ceration !
Under our care, however, the prisoners in India were
exceedingly well treated, and, reading the account of the
recent Leipzig Tribunal, one marvels at the psychology of
a nation that could not only countenance, and practise,
every form of brutality towards helpless fellow-creatures,
but even maintain later that there was every justification
for doing so. These people even got the daily newspaper.
This I had tabooed, but was overruled. All those who
would give parole were allowed to go anywhere within a
ten-mile limit, while married ones, on parole, or not judged
dangerous, lived with their wives in special barracks.
When visiting Burma I was much struck with over ten
thousand Turkish prisoners of war from Mesopotamia, etc.
Most of the men were exceedingly fine fellows, vigorous,
lusty and well set up, while many of the officers impressed
me most favourably. An army comprised of such material,
and well led, should be invincible.
In the early part of 1915 the attempts of seditionists to
SEDITION IN INDIA 213
tamper with the allegiance of the Indian Army, following the
return of the Sikh immigrants refused admission into
Canada, caused some serious rioting at Budge Budge, near
Calcutta. The trouble was undoubtedly instigated by the
Ghadr x party, and achieving some success in certain
quarters ultimately resulted in a number of executions.
A new brigade recently formed at Delhi becoming vacant
about this time, I was ordered from Simla, with less than
twelve hours' notice, to take command, as the central
investigation department had information of increased
activity amongst this Ghadr party, with, possibly, further
attempts on the person of the Viceroy.
Arriving at 6 a.m. it seemed the first thing to do was to
find out the arrangements for internal security. To my
amazement practically none existed, in spite of the most
gloomy reports given me by officials of the above-mentioned
department, whom I visited at once. Incredible as it may
seem, it is a fact that although there were nearly four
hundred able-bodied Britishers employed as clerks, etc.,
in the Secretariat situated in the civil lines, Britishers
who were all trained volunteers and many of them old
soldiers yet their rifles, and the ammunition, were kept
two miles off in the Fort, to get to which you had to cross
the railway, and skirt the confines of the city itself !
It did not take many hours to put this right and, besides
evolving a practical scheme, to place four hundred rifles
and a supply of ammunition under a guard in the Secre-
tariat buildings. Then came the security and employment,
in case of emergency, of the troops cantoned and camped
beyond the Ridge close to Viceregal Lodge.
Riding round the various barracks and encampments it
was evident that in some cases there was an entire lack of
adequate protection. The latest reports pointing to sudden
attacks by bombs on quarter guards from concealed vantage
spots made me anxious to provide a good system of observa-
tion, without, if possible, increasing the number of armed
sentries. Orders were therefore given for " flying sentries "
(observation men with a definite area, carrying sticks only)
to be posted where necessary. Hereby hangs a tale denoting
the extraordinary way false rumours can gain credence,
and how impossible it is to anticipate them.
1 See Chapter xxi., page 283. N.B. The root meaning of Ghadr
is " treachery."
214 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
The back of the gunners' camp on the edge of a deep
ravine, separating them from the lines of the Indian cavalry
regiment, being one of the weak spots, I sent for my C.R.A.
(Colonel L. A. Smith) to tell him to order the;battery com-
mander concerned to put a flying sentry there. I repeated
to him, in confidence, what I had just learnt about the pro-
bable action of the malcontents, which made the nullah
a likely hiding place.
Next day I was called up by Lord Hardinge's military
secretary (Frankie Maxwell) on our private connection,
saying the Viceroy wanted to know whether I had given any
orders lately about protection in the artillery lines. Explain-
ing that I had, he asked if I could remember exactly what
was said, and I gave him an account, as above. Telling me
he would call up later, he rang off.
Sending for Smith again, he repeated to me his words to
the battery commander, which were just what I had told
him, including a remark that the nullah which ran between
the artillery and Indian cavalry lines must be continually
watched. Towards evening Maxwell called me up once
more to say the Viceroy was perfectly satisfied. " Satisfied
about what ? " I asked, when he explained as follows :
The battery commander (the late Lord Suffolk), when
returning to quarters, hinted to his wife that there was
pending trouble with the Indian cavalry regiment, which
might mutiny at any moment, and he had been ordered to
put extra sentries in that direction. The lady, being a
friend of the Viceroy, went to him to ask if she ought to
send her children home, telling him what she had just heard.
Hence the telephonic enquiry !
" His Excellency added," said Maxwell, " that he wished
to God husbands would not babble to their wives ! "
The Delhi Brigade had evidently been hastily formed,
for a more peculiar composition could hardly be imagined.
Besides Delhi itself, I was charged with the administration
and training of all troops in Dehra Dun, Agra, Bareilly,
Chakrata, Landour, etc., but not Ranikhet and Chau-
battia ; and this with only one brigade major to assist me !
There was a Territorial battalion in Delhi, Agra and Bareilly
respectively, and although it was well on in March before
I could get away to the last two, it was insisted on that all
should be subjected to a " Kitchener test," in a somewhat
modified form.
SEDITION IN INDIA 215
No orders could be obtained regarding my summer head-
quarters, so when the Viceroy left Delhi I packed up and
transferred the office to Dehra Dun which was much cooler.
There the ever vexed question of house accommodation
came up and not a bungalow fit to live in could be found.
Eventually I came across a delightful house designed by
Lord Curzon for the commandant of the Imperial Cadet
Corps. A diplomatic letter to the Foreign Department
pointing out that, as the cadet corps had been dispersed, I
should much like to live hi it, resulted in the necessary
permission, at a very moderate rental.
For the benefit of those who do not know Dehra Dun in
the United Provinces, the permanent home of the and and
gth Gurkhas, and situated on the south side of the large
hill station of Mussoorie (6,500 feet above sea-level), it may
be stated that it is perhaps one of the most beautiful and
delightful places in India, outside Kashmir. Rather hot,
of course, from the end of May to September, and somewhat
unhealthy in the latter month, still, being only fourteen miles
from Mussoorie, a pleasant change can be easily obtained,
With unrivalled advantages for polo, shooting and fishing,
and with a bracing cold weather climate, is it any wonder
it is such a favourite spot ?
M It was during my tenure of this command that I got to
know Lord Hardinge, my eighth Viceroy. Both at Delhi and
at Dehra Dun he was kindness itself to both of us. The
recollection of his handsome presence, courteous manners
and dauntless courage in carrying on in most difficult times,
and after a dastardly attempt on his life, which nearly proved
fatal, can never be effaced.
I was dining with him at Dehra Dun when he received the
news by cable of the naval attempt to force the Dardanelles.
He was extremely angry at the futile effort. The blue veins
swelled in his forehead, and he appealed to me to back him up
in his assertion that it was pure madness. I replied that we
soldiers had always been taught the principle that naval
action must be fruitless unless adequately supported by
land forces, which pleased him immensely.
Those were happy days in the beautiful Doon with our
beloved son beside us in the 2nd Gurkhas. Days, however,
which were destined to be all too short. Since my return
to India I had been worrying the military secretary on every
opportunity to get me overseas. I now made another
216 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
attempt, pleading, for the hundredth time, my extraordinary
ill-luck about ever getting on service.
The reply I got was that as far as could be seen I was
likely to remain at Dehra Dun for the duration of the war !
This being so, and the house being an excellent one, we
collected all our belongings from Quetta, Lucknow, Calcutta,
etc., unpacked everything, put up heads and skins in the hall,
got a big flagstaff erected on the lawn, and issued invita-
tions for our first Dehra dinner party. Hardly had these
been posted, however, when a wire came saying I was trans-
ferred to command the Abbottabad Brigade, and should
join as soon as possible !
At first, this was rather a shock, until the thought came
that in reality Sir Beauchamp Duff was doing me a good
turn by this transfer to the North- West Frontier. The
Abbottabad brigade synchronised with the 3rd war brigade,
so if there was any trouble on the frontier I should take the
field under my old friend Sir Frederick Campbell command-
ing the ist (Peshawar) Division. The trouble was not long
in coming.
As we were preparing to move I was called up on the
telephone by the acting divisional commander to ask who
I suggested should succeed me at Dehra. My senior colonel
was a Territorial officer, the Earl of Radnor, commanding
the i /4th Wiltshire Regiment, and of whose military
capabilities I had a high opinion. Naming him at once the
query came through asking if I realised that he was a Terri-
torial ? My reply was : " Yes, but what's that got to do
with it ? He is a good soldier, has knowledge of men, much
sympathy and great common sense ; therefore, in my
opinion, eminently qualified." I'm glad to say he was
appointed, and I handed over to him a few days later.
CHAPTER XVI
PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS
A >OUT three months after joining at Abbottabad
the 3rd war brigade was mobilised, and later
on entrained to Hoti Mardan, about fifty miles
north-east of Peshawar, and the head-quarters
of the famous corps of Guides. Not being at all certain of
the situation, I posted off by car at once with my brigade
major to Mardan, and found orders awaiting me to take over
command of all troops in the Yuzufzai l country.
A good deal of chaos prevailed at Mardan, and reaching
there in the early morning some difficulty was experienced
in ascertaining exactly what troops I had, and where they
all were. One fact was quite clear, however, namely that
a detachment consisting of the Guides infantry with some
squadrons of cavalry and a field battery had been heavily
engaged with a large number of Bunerwals 2 the day before
at a place called Rustam.
1 A division of the Peshawar district containing Mardan and
outposts beyond.
2 A tribe of Pathans occupying Buner, a tract of independent
territory N.E. of Yusufzai. Can probably put about ten thousand
fighting men in the field when well united and acting in a common
cause. Looked upon as one of the finest races on the N.W. frontier
of India, and being simple, austere, truthful, religious and hospit-
able, they are bright examples of Pathans. With the assistance of
other tribes, the Bunerwals proved most formidable opponents
against us in the Ambela expedition in 1863. They were predom-
inant in the attacks on the famous Crag piquet which was lost
and won no less than three times (with heavy casualties on both
sides) , eventually remaining in our possession. I am told on good
authority, but cannot find the official reference, that it was the custom
amongst the Bunerwals to tie a piece of red string round the right
wrist of each of their dead warriors who had specially distinguished
himself. On our retaking this Crag piquet for the third time our
dead there (mainly Highlanders) were found with a red string
round each wrist.
217
218 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
This hamlet was close to the Buner border, and some twenty
miles from Mardan, along a road the last eight miles of which
went through heavy sand. The enemy had been dispersed,
but was hanging about close by, with the evident intention
of attacking the camp again that night. Reinforcements
were urgently required at once, but only half of my British
battalion (ist battalion Royal Sussex) had arrived, the other
half might come in shortly, the 6th Gurkhas ought to arrive
that evening, while the 84th Pioneers was the only unit
ready in Mardan.
Evidently my mission was to get to Rustam immediately,
and see the situation with my own eyes, but it was stated
my own car (a Rover) could not get through the deep sand.
Luckily it was possible to purloin a Ford, so pushing off,
after giving orders to impress all country carts possible,
we reached Rustam by nine o'clock to find the garrison
anxiously expecting assistance.
The camp was cram-full of horses belonging to the four
or five squadrons and the field battery, and although every-
one was digging hard, the perimeter was none too secure, and
much too large for the number of men available for its
defence. It was August of a rainless year, and the heat
was intense, yet there was nothing for it but to go back as
quickly as possible to try and get the remainder of the
force to Rustam immediately. Anyhow before dawn
next day, when the Bunerwals might be expected to be
withdrawing from, what we hoped would be, a futile
attack.
On reaching Mardan again we found the other half of the
Sussex had turned up, the 6th Gurkha trains, with a lot of
transport, were to arrive at 4 p.m., and a mountain battery
with a company of sappers and miners next day. It was
obviously impossible to start before night, so orders were
issued to march off in one column at 8 p.m.
The question then arose where to assemble the troops so
as to ensure a satisfactory start. There was an unbridged
river to cross at Mardan itself, which the local commander
told me was then easily fordable, but which a little rain
rendered impassable for many hours. The sky was very
clouded, rain was long overdue.
On both banks of the river were excellent positions of
assembly alongside the road. If I concentrated on the
Mardan side, and it rained, I couldn't cross. If on the
PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS 219
other, I ran the risk of all my supplies, which were only
just being loaded and couldn't be ready till late, being cut
off by an unfordable river, while the troops were marching
away from the farther bank !
This was somewhat of a dilemma, but undoubtedly my
endeavour must be to relieve Rustam, and for this purpose
to get all the troops, all the transport, all the carts, across
the river at once, man-handling the remainder of the
supplies over as they arrived. One had to take risks ;
fortunately it did not rain, but the large fatigue parties
necessitated a postponement of the march until 10 p.m.
It was a horribly sultry night, the men were dog-tired.
At every halt they just threw themselves on the ground and
were asleep in a few seconds, Lewis gunners twisting the
mules' reins round their wrists. At 2 a.m. we could hear
the furious cannonade of a camp heavily attacked, but
were helpless to assist. It held out, however, and, very
bedraggled, we crawled inside their piquets about 7.30
a.m., and after a rest set about the construction of a new
and enlarged perimeter.
By next evening the force was complete with :
Six squadrons cavalry (two being on detachment).
One field battery.
One pack battery (mules).
One company sappers and miners.
Four battalions infantry with Lewis guns.
Usual field ambulances, supply sections and transport.
There was a political officer in camp who informed me
that there were about eight thousand Bunerwals, some three
thousand other tribes, and a lot of Hindustani fanatics l
opposed to us. These latter people are always bent on
creating disloyalty and unrest amongst the frontier tribes.
They join many of the periodical risings and are noted
for their disregard of death. Their chief desire is to kill as
many British infidels as possible. If one of their number
succeeds in killing a British officer he is perfectly happy,
1 Also called Muhajirin, plural of Muhajir = one who abandons
his country. A colony of fanatical Mahomedans who migrated
from India about 1823 to the Buner country from Patna in Bengal.
Their doctrines are those of the Wahabi sect, i.e. expounding the
original tenets of Islam. The colony consists of about 1,000 fight-
ing men and 1,500 women and children. They are a species of
reformer, rather like our reformers of Cromwell's day.
220 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
and it does not in the least matter if he loses his own life
in the attempt. Braver and more dare-devil fellows I
never met.
Only the day before our arrival one had concealed himself
like a hare in some scrub jungle where line upon line of
Guides passed over him. Waiting his opportunity, he
rushed out at a British officer, advancing a little apart from
his men, killed him from behind with his sword, and sank
with a smile when riddled with bullets a few minutes
later.
Some days afterwards seven more, trying the same game
on a flank, close to me, were caught between a party of the
Sussex hunting them, and some flankers of the Guides
coming down from higher ground. Seeing the game was
up they rushed out like tigers towards the Guides, missing
the officer, but badly wounding one Guide before being all
disposed of themselves. The most unpleasant part of this
encounter was the vast danger of Guides shooting Sussex,
or Sussex shooting Guides ; or both, or either, shooting
me !
The courage and ferocity of the Bunerwals combined with
great speed and stamina on the hillside had for years
stamped them as very formidable opponents, whom the
Government were always most anxious to placate, and
dissuade from joining any frontier disturbance. They were
not particularly well armed as a tribe, though like the
Hindustani fanatics possessed, individually, of a good
number of modern rifles. Openly expressed pride at the
efficiency of my little force probably led Sir G. Roos-Keppel,
the Chief Commissioner of the North- West Frontier Pro-
vince, to motor over from Peshawar, for an hour, to implore
me not to despise my opponents, to remember they were
men of extraordinary activity and spirit, and to read and
re-read the accounts of the fighting in 1863 1 when we had
come off so badly against them.
And this was the only visit I had, and as for instructions,
I received none. My divisional commander away back at
Peshawar was more than busy with the situation on his
other flank, where the Mohmands were expected to break
out any minute. Writing to him for a hint, I said, that
except feeling certain I was not to allow the enemy an
1 Ambela Campaign. British force, 9,000. Killed and wounded,
909.
PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS 221
initial success, I was very hazy regarding my limitations,
but did not propose to let him knock me about without
retaliation. His reply was that it was difficult to say much,
and the only thing he could think of was Lumsden's 1
invariable instruction to his Guides :
" I want Heads."
That was just like Fred Campbell 2 ; so typical of this fine
frontier soldier the best we now have alive who trusted
his subordinates, and left them alone to carry out their
tasks, probably the reason for his unfailing success, and
the cause of his wide popularity.
It took a few days to settle down at Rustam, and make
our camp impregnable. For five nights running we were
attacked by hordes of wild tribesmen, evidently well sup-
plied with ammunition, for they fired thousands of rounds
from all sorts of rifles. It was very interesting to note the
difference between the " swish " of the larger bore like the
Snider or Martini-Henry, and the " ping " of the '303 or
256.
Our casualties were surprisingly small, due partly to the
fact that the cavalry had been reduced by sending two
squadrons to distant outposts, and partly to dug-outs,
traverses and other precautions. An enormous number of
bullets went high. As the tribesmen often attacked from
two opposite sides, it is a matter of wonder whether they
made many casualties amongst themselves. I don't think
we made many at night ourselves. My standing orders
were that the fire was on no account to be returned, unless
there was a distinct target visible by flares, searchlight,
or moon, and then only by order of a British officer.
Fire discipline was excellent. The hour of attack varied,
being sometimes 9 p.m., but oftener i or 2 a.m. At the
first shot every tent was downed immediately. On no
occasion did the enemy actually close, due undoubtedly,
after the first night, to trip wires, booby traps and elephant
pits. At first I scorned a dug-out, but later, as the area of
my bivouac seemed to attract an enormous quantity of
bullets, I had to submit to the hot, stuffy abomination.
1 Raised the Guides, as a subaltern, in 1846-47 at Peshawar.
Corps is now called " Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Fron-
tier Force) (Lumsden's)."
"Now General Sir Frederick Campbell, K.C.B., D.S.O.
222 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
On the second night and before I had succumbed to
a dug-out I woke just before the firing began in a muck
sweat, as the slight breeze we got had suddenly dropped,
and called to my servant to get me a change. He
was in a dug-out twenty yards away, and as he came the
bullets started. Down he dropped, and I thought he was
shot. It was only a precautionary measure, however, for
I soon saw him wriggling to me on his stomach, from which
posture he handed me a clean shirt, and then retired in the
same way. He was a fat cantonment Pathan from Abbotta-
bad, and I laughed so much I got hotter than ever.
After the third night the " sniping " in force was no longer
to be calmly endured ; besides I was then ready to move out.
There were three main valleys leading to the Buner country,
named Ambela, Malandri and Pirsai, and I felt sure that
one, or all, must be the temporary resting place of the
enemy. Taking each in turn, we drove out the tribesmen,
inflicting such casualties on them that their night operations
became less and less formidable, until when the third
valley was cleared, and its villages burnt, they ceased
altogether.
The most serious impediment to successful work in the
field was the intense heat, and the sandy nature of all roads
and tracks, making them extraordinarily trying to the
infantry and^mountain artillery. Already several cases of
heat stroke had occurred in camp, and my cavalry brigadier
had returned with two dead sowars * tied on their horses
(and several more unconscious ones supported by comrades),
after an all-day reconnaissance to report on an adjacent
tribe. Meeting them at the entrance to camp, it was a
sorrowful sight to see a nice-looking horse stepping out
freely, while on his back lay the dead rider with head
touching the mane, hands tied together below the neck,
and feet lashed under the horse's belly.
The temperature of one British soldier down with heat
stroke rose to 110 Fahrenheit, which I had always thought
impossible. Such however was the fact reported by my
principal medical officer, and moreover the man recovered
after treatment in ice baths.
Visiting one of our distant outposts with my invaluable
brigade major, we had some eighteen miles to ride, mainly
across country. On arrival he looked rather cheap, but
1 Trooper of Indian cavalry.
PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS 223
swore he was all right. After going a few miles on the
return journey he appeared really bad, and shortly after-
wards collapsed, though I was fortunately able to catch
him before he fell to the ground. The combined water
bottles of the escort revived him, but we still had twelve
miles to go before we reached any track fit for an ambulance.
There was a well of coldish water six miles ahead. Get-
ting Loveday on to his horse, we galloped the whole distance,
supporting his swaying body, myself on one side and a
duffedar x on the other. Then came the last six miles
covered in the same way. He was 106 on arrival at the
hospital tent, where he had to remain over a week, much
to his chagrin, for although not over strong, his lithe wiry
body contained the heart of a lion.
I was to lose him soon afterwards to command his battery,
and then a group of artillery in France, where he covered
himself with glory.
My worst experience of heat-stroke was during the return
from our advance up the Malandri Valley. Although we
started at 3 a.m., and had less than eight miles to cover,
there was opposition to contend with, villages to burn and
much scrub jungle full of rocks and boulders to be searched.
All this took time, so that it was after midday when we
began to withdraw to camp.
So many British soldiers fell down with heat-stroke that
the rear-guard could hardly move. The stretcher bearers
were so overcome themselves that they were useless. It
was then that the splendid Guides, and later the 84th
Pioneers, came forward and volunteered to carry the sick,
while officers, mounted and dismounted, as well as men in
the ranks, took over the rifles and accoutrements of those
hors de combat. Fortunately I had reduced the scale of
ammunition that day to fifty rounds per man on account of
the heat, but even then found the six sets of accoutrements
picked up, and hung on to myself and my horse, a most
uncomfortable burden.
Strict orders existed that no Britishers were to be buried
near Rustam, because their graves would be desecrated by
the enemy. Progressing at a funereal rate at the tail of the
rear-guard, with an occasional bullet to keep one awake, the
thought came to me of how on earth we could get the corpses
of so many soldiers into Mardan. With little experience
1 An N,C.O. of Indian cavalry.
224 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
of heat-stroke, I felt that many of the muttering, uncon-
scious men, with blue lips and swollen faces, must surely
succumb.
Some way on we came to a large tank about two and a half
feet deep. Seated in it I found most of the casualties,
presenting a very comical spectacle with their large sun hats,
surrounded by huge neck covers, appearing just above the
level of the water, making the whole crowd look exactly
like a lot of floating mushrooms. And close to the tank,
to my relief, was an army of transport carts, ordered out
in case of emergency, and which conveyed all the sick back
to camp, every one of whom eventually recovered.
It is difficult to describe in words the extraordinary
interest of an independent command like this. An effi-
cient and companionable staff, capable and contented
troops, successful though arduous operations, isolated and
detached situation, all tended to make the few weeks spent
at Rustam in spite of the heat the happiest of my life.
About a fortnight sufficed to drive the enemy entirely away
with considerable casualties, and it is a significant fact that
the much dreaded and powerful Bunerwal tribe have never
lifted a finger since. Not even in our darkest days, when
every inducement to rise was given by seditious emissaries,
to each trans-frontier clan.
It does not appear to me certain that this has been fully
recognised. I do not allude to personal recognition. The
ultimate rewards of a Companionship of the Bath and pro-
motion to Major-General " for distinguished service in the
field " were more than sufficient. Nor to the avowal of
the Brigade's activity in Sir Beauchamp Duff's despatches.
But, to the reality, that the operations of the force relieved
the Government of India of much anxiety in this particular
quarter for a very long period, i.e. from September, 1915,
up to the present date.
In September, 1915, orders reached me hi Rustam, by
cipher wire in the middle of the night, to move my force
as quickly as possible to Peshawar. Thence it was to go
on towards Shabkadr eighteen miles north of Peshawar
to take part as the 3rd brigade, with the ist Division
under Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Campbell, in
possible action against the Mohmands, a powerful and
well-armed tribe of some twenty-two thousand fighting
men.
PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS 225
Their country lies north of the Kabul river, the south-
eastern boundary running close to our outlying forts of
Michni, Shabkadr, Matta and Abazai, usually held by
the frontier constabulary. In early October the enemy
crossed our border in considerable force, and on the 5th
a regular battle took place near Shabkadr in which the
3rd brigade occupied the left flank of the division. The
Mohmands were entirely defeated, and very shortly made
submission.
The country was interesting on account of its broken
nature and its numerous ravines, in which the tribesmen
operated with a most extraordinary skill for concealment,
and from which it was very difficult indeed to dislodge
them. It was also of particular advantage to me to get
to know this terrain, for some fifteen months later my
head-quarters were in Shabkadr Fort while commanding
the blockade line running from Abazai on the Swat river
to Michni on the Kabul, a distance of sixteen miles.
Before describing the Mohmand blockade line, it is
necessary to say a few words about the condition of India
in the early months of 1916. That is, before the desperate
situation on the Western Front was fully realised in India,
or the ever-increasing necessity of well-trained officers and
men, for our numerous other fronts, was thoroughly under-
stood.
The internal situation was better than it had been for
a long time. Indian Princes and others had come forward
nobly in the matter of men, horses and money, and there
was a general feeling amongst Indians that all political
and private controversies should be put on one side, and
a combined effort directed towards winning the war. But
strange to relate, at this very period, an extraordinary
apathy seemed suddenly to seize the authorities and the
European population, which, though only transitory, was
alarming enough at the time, especially from a military
point of view. It was just as if someone had voiced the
general feeling by saying :
" What more can we do ? We have denuded India of
troops, munitions and equipment, to an almost dangerous
extent. We have successfully repelled trouble on the
North- West Frontier in several quarters. We have the
internal situation quiet and in hand. We have raised
and are raising more regiments. Heaps of officers have
p
226 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
entered the Indian Army Reserve. Drafts are preparing
for overseas, and the country is full of Territorials from
home. True, a division is invested in Kut, but we can
send nothing more there. The future is in the lap of the
gods, and in the hands of the War Office in London."
With that feeling existing, life seemed to settle down
in large cantonments as if there was no war on at all.
People seemed satisfied to do their daily task and live just
as they had lived before, simply hoping for the best. There
was no real effort to strain every nerve in preparation for
a long titanic struggle. In short, apathy was abroad.
These are only personal reminiscences, and of course I
may be quite wrong, but that is how things struck me at
the time. So much so, that I committed a daring act,
by writing a highly confidential letter to the Chief of the
General Staff pointing out what I have just said and
begging for a lead from above. Instancing too the fact
that hundreds of new officers of the Indian Army Reserve
were getting no adequate instruction ; that frontier war-
fare was a forgotten art ; that the Territorials had never
heard of it ; that too much listlessness existed, and that
above all we needed schools of every description to teach
the would-be teachers.
The letter was very well received. Probably steps
were being taken at Simla. Anyhow, a fillip was very
shortly given to training, and by the late summer numerous
schools of instruction of every kind were initiated, from
the mountain warfare school at Abbottabad for Territorials
later extended to embrace officers of all services down
to large schools at Sabathu, Bangalore, etc., for cadets
from the ranks who were about to receive commissions.
This was the only lapse, as far as India was concerned,
and it was not of long duration. Just as before she had
given of her best and tried her hardest to answer every
call ; so later on, and up to the Armistice, did she put forth
her full strength. As regards the military this meant the
most intensive training, and every other kind of prepar-
ation. As regards others, a memorandum has been issued
giving full detail of India's efforts. In addition there was
the mighty recruiting campaign in the Punjab of that grand
patriot Sir Michael O'Dwyer, and the vigorous war work
of nearly every other soul, the most energetic amongst them
being Lady O'Dwyer herself.
PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS 227
Towards the end of 1916 it became evident that the
Mohmands had failed to fulfil their pledges. They were
restless again and guilty of frequent raids into British
territory ; so much so that the Indian Government decided
to establish a blockade line along their border in order to
prevent entirely all egress and ingress, until the tribe
effectively carried out the demands of the Chief Com-
missioner.
An apron of barbed wire was erected close to their south-
eastern boundary from the Kabul River and Fort Michni
in the south-west, to the Swat River and Fort Abazai in
the north-east. Blockhouses were constructed every eight
hundred to four hundred yards. On the enemy side of
the obstacle were stretched two strands of " live " wire
supplied with electricity from a power-house on the Abazai
flank. The current was switched on every evening and
withdrawn soon after dawn, while " alarms " were intro-
duced at varying intervals to inform the garrisons of the
blockhouses, by the explosion of detonators, that the live
wire was being interfered with.
My predecessor (General Sir W. Benyon) had commenced
a deep trench running the whole way along our side of the
fence, which it was my first object to complete, so as to
admit of patrolling under complete cover from blockhouse
to blockhouse. In each of these were placed rifle batteries
formed of six or seven loaded rifles clamped together
in a wooden framework. Trained along the fence with
" combined " sights, these could be fired simultaneously
by pressing a thin iron rod running through the trigger-
guards, and they could be reloaded at once with
ease.
It was a matter of extreme importance that this blockade
should be so effective as not to allow a single tribesman to
cross the frontier, nor any supplies whatever from India
(especially salt, a commodity they must have), to reach the
Mohmands, except by arduous detours round the flanks
of the line through alien tribal country, which they were
well known to be most unwilling to undertake.
The above preventive measures one would think
sufficient, but the Mohmands are so brave, gallant and
resourceful that, aided by their own wit and courage,
combined with unlimited secretive help from the local
inhabitants, there was hardly a single week in Which
228 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
one or two successful attempts were not carried out, and
generally without any loss.
Outside the trench, between it and the barbed wire
apron, was constructed a narrow path of loose earth most
carefully brushed every evening by each blockhouse so as
to show any footprints. From the politicals one would
hear that spies, or friendly villagers, reported the advent
of one or two of the enemy from between certain block-
houses.
This would be corroborated by both footmarks and
alarms, but what beat us was, not only how they had
evaded patrols which prowled from piquet to piquet at
uncertain intervals during the night, but how they escaped
death from the live wire, or the bullets from the block-
houses, so soon as the detonators exploded.
At last a prisoner was caught and, under promise of
freedom and reward, he revealed some secrets. It appeared
that amongst the enemy was a pre-war pensioned
havildar x who, having served in our sappers and miners,
had gained a superficial knowledge of explosives and elec-
tricity. He it was who taught them that dead wood was
a non-conductor.
Getting a forked stick of dead wood, and tying a stout
cord to one prong, the Mohmands very carefully placed
the fork on the live wire with the stick end away from
them, keeping a keen ear all the time for the movements
of any patrol. If any movement was heard they decamped,
and lay doggo until danger was over. Their sight and
hearing are both quite abnormal, they can a] most see
through a brick wall or hear a pin drop on a carpet.
The man holding the cord, together with his companions,
then moved away some thirty yards from the wire, and
concealing themselves carefully in the undulations of the
ground, gave the cord a sharp pull, with the result that the
detonators exploded. Off went the rifle batteries, with
the weapons too of the sentries of the adjoining block-
houses, and this length of trench and barbed wire received
an avalanche of bullets. At the same time the Mohmands,
hidden and quite safe, smiled at the success of their
ruse !
Waiting patiently they possess infinite patience lest
some intrepid spirits should stalk along the trench, they
1 N.C.O. of Indian infantry, equivalent to a sergeant.
PUNISHING THE BUNERWALS 229
would afterwards approach the live wire, bend down the
upper strand with the forked stick (the detonators being
useless for alarm until renewed next day), step carefully
over both strands, throw their resais 1 over the barbed
wire, manipulate it, jump the trench and, kicking up their
heels with delight like lively young cattle, would make off
for the nearest village !
Talking of barbed wire with some of them later on, they
expressed the greatest contempt for it, saying that it only
stopped cows and donkeys, for men could always get over
without even damage to their clothing, with the aid of a
charpoy 2 or a good thick resai.
I feel that I can corroborate this statement, having
occasion one day to go to the enemy's side of the fence,
by a gap, to select a better site for a particular piquet.
This post had suffered much, the day and night before,
from sniping. I was no sooner beyond the wire with two
of my staff, and a good way from the gap, than a well-
directed fire from a ravine about eleven hundred yards
away much disconcerted us. We were the more surprised
because we had purposely chosen the middle of the day
when the enemy, supposed to be feeding, never fired.
However, the bullets came fast enough, some over and
some short. A Lewis gun opened on to the enemy at once
from the piquet, but there was only a slight cessation and
the greater number of bullets were falling between us and
the gap ! There was nothing for it but to retire through
the barbed wire, which we did with remarkable, though
ignominious, haste. It was a formidable-looking apron,
but appeared quite easy (!) and the only damage was a
bad tear in both my sleeves, and ruination to my brigade
major's Bedford cords !
Feeling, after the disclosures of our prisoner, that the
live wire current might not be strong enough, though we
had many donkey casualties, I sent to Calcutta and got
the voltage doubled. It was then extremely powerful
and, after finding an occasional dead Mohmand along the
line, the attempts to cross became less and less frequent.
A sad tale is connected with one of these attempts. A
stalwart young Mohmand tried to cross with his mother.
Going first and touching the strand he set off the detonators,
1 A wadded blanket.
1 A native bed of wooden legs and sides and stringed framework.
230 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
but somehow they escaped the hail of bullets. His mother
then tried to dissuade him from any further action, but
he refused to listen. Her tale to an informer was that on
bending to put his leg over the upper strand, his waistcoat
touched the wire, causing a shock, and he called out, " I
am hit." Rushing to him, his mother caught hold of him,
when his body came into contact with the live wire and
he was instantaneously killed. Fearing his body might
be captured, this poor woman dragged it for two miles
over most difficult country to her village.
CHAPTER XVII
A STUNT FOR THE VICEROY
IN April, before it had got too hot, we had a visit from
the Viceroy and Lady Chelmsford, accompanied
by General Campbell, from Peshawar. The latter
looked after His Excellency to begin with, while
I was told to devote myself to the lady. After getting
into the crow's nest above Shabkadr Fort to view the lie
of the land all round, the programme was to motor to a
blockhouse of regular British infantry, then one of Indian
infantry, and finally one of Territorials. Tea was to be
taken later with the Frontier Constabulary at Matta Fort,
which was situated about one thousand yards in rear of
the Territorial section of the outposts.
At the first blockhouse I had arranged a " stunt "
with Major Clifton's armoured cars on the Mohmand
side of the live wire. Some trenches were dug about
eight hundred yards from the fence, and smaD targets
put up to represent an enemy. The bottom of each
trench was secretly filled with British soldiers dressed up
as tribesmen.
At a given signal the three cars got going, and did some
pretty shooting with Maxims and rifles, on the move. I
had the Viceroy and his party just across the wire on the
enemy side, and stopped the firing by a " G " on the bugle
when we seemed to have had enough. On the cars ceasing
to fire at the targets, out jumped wild parties of tribes-
men from the trenches, waving standards, shouting, firing
(blank !) and brandishing their rifles !
The soldiers, entering into the spirit of the affair, acted
splendidly, and General Campbell's face for a few seconds
was well worth seeing. The look of horror and consterna-
tion at what he thought for a moment was a Mohmand
231
232 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
surprise, and his glance of distress at me for not having
taken better precautions, nearly choked me.
Lord Chelmsford looked rather astonished and somewhat
amused, while Her Excellency, putting up her parasol,
gasped, and opened her eyes very wide. Meanwhile the
armoured cars, getting over the rough undulating ground
with their Rolls-Royce chassis at a good pace, manoeuvred
to turn the enemy's flanks, coming into action at some
rocks and boulders, well over the heads of the imitation
tribesmen, who then bolted with yells of scorn. It was
quite a good little show, and Clifton managed it very
well.
Meanwhile, I was dying for a smoke, but didn't see how
I could get it in such exalted company, until a delay
occurring with a motor breakdown, General Campbell
took Lady Chelmsford off to look at a pet subterranean
cook-house of mine, while the Viceroy, seating himself
on a boulder, pulled out an old black pipe, and began to
fill it. This enabled me to follow suit.
Now I had not been too comfortable about the visit
to Matta Fort and the adjoining territorial blockhouse.
There was some enemy high ground within two thousand
yards, from which a good deal of sniping had taken place
from time to time. It is true that the Mohmands, with
superb insolence, had sent in word to the Chief Com-
missioner that they had decided not to interfere with the
Viceroy's visit (!), but it did not do to take chances.
Sending a strong piquet to the high ground, the guns
were hidden in the vicinity of this very blockhouse, to be
ready in case of emergency, and also to assist the eventual
withdrawal of the piquet. On entering the blockhouse a
staff officer pressed a piece of paper into my hand. Covertly
scanning it, I found it contained the information that a
party of fifty Mohmands was approaching this piquet from
the further side, and firing on them.
Whispering the news to General Campbell, I begged him
to hurry things up a bit, and myself tried to hustle Lady
Chelmsford in her rounds. But not a bit of it. Were
these not Territorials ? and hadn't her husband recently
belonged to the force ? She wanted to know about every-
thing. She would inspect the rifle batteries. She insisted
on seeing what kind of view the sentries got, etc., etc.
When, however, she mounted into a bastion and began
A STUNT FOR THE VICEROY 233
a leisurely conversation with a Northumbrian " look-out "
on the value of his Zeiss glasses, I lost patience altogether
and begged her to hasten. Her reply was that she was
enjoying it immensely, and what was the hurry ? I then
told her bluntly about the Mohmand party, and that I
wanted to get the Viceroy away quickly. At this she
turned about like a shot, went down the awkward steps of
the bastion at a double, and was soon outside.
But apparently she never said a word to Lord Chelms-
ford, for sitting alone with him at tea, he dawdled over it
as if there were no need to get back to Peshawar at all. While
I was dying to be rid of them, so as to whip out the guns
and withdraw the piquet before it was dark.
The Viceroy's train left Peshawar at 10 p.m., and long
before that I was able to report by telephone to General
Campbell the safe withdrawal of the piquet with only one
or two casualties. He told the Viceroy all about it at the
station, and the whole party were greatly interested.
Shortly afterwards the line was taken over by other
troops and I returned to Abbottabad, where I found the
Nepalese contingents much advanced in training and the
two mountain artillery and four Gurkha depots (of two
battalions of 5th and two of 6th, all overseas) doing splendid
work.
This is no place to discuss the tactics required for success-
ful frontier warfare. Ruse and stratagem, however, are
valuable at times, but when it is a case of movement you
must see that you have the antidote, if things do not pan
out exactly as you expected. The great Lumsden, the
father of the Guides, was a past master in frontier artifice,
but the tribesmen were much simpler then than they are
now, and many of his plans for deceiving them have been
taken to heart and handed down.
For years they would never approach a piquet of the
Guides isolated on a height, without the most extraordinary
precautions. This because of Lumsden's ruse, at first
very successful, of teaching the piquet to retire somewhat
ostentatiously, only to assemble rapidly in the first dead
ground. Approaching the top again the men would lie
doggo just short of the crest, until the unsuspecting enemy,
taking possession of it, was rushed with the bayonet.
It will always be a matter of regret to me that I was
unable to ascertain with certainty the exact result of a
234 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
ruse at Michni during the Mohmand blockade. The block-
house on my extreme left, and some half-mile beyond
Michni Fort, was being subjected to continual sniping
from vantage posts some eleven hundred to thirteen
hundred yards away in tribal country.
It was held by a platoon of the ist Royal Sussex and
was a post I much wanted to move. Indeed it was while
examining ground for a new site that I had to beat so
ignominious a retreat through the barbed wire ! We
knew that the bands of snipers came from an adjoining
village, visible from the blockhouse, and distant under
three thousand yards from Michni Fort.
The sniping became so persistent that the men were
hit if they moved outside, even to the cook-house along
a communicating trench. The village had been partially
destroyed by my predecessor some two months before, but
re-occupied and repaired. Owing to a reported gathering
close to, I was refused permission to go out and effectively
raze it to the ground. Knowing that the tribesmen
invariably collected all the lead they could find, to make
up into bullets, etc., I gave the following orders :
A mountain artillery battery to move to Michni early
next day with two armoured cars ; the battery to
" register " the village, but without trying to do damage,
plumping the shell on a gentle slope short of the village,
and very plainly visible with glasses from this end block-
house. I arranged to go out myself to Michni from Shab-
kadr (about nine miles) with a larger cavalry escort than
usual, after breakfast.
At 3 p.m. the armoured cars, the battery (including all
the mules, but less the six guns and sufficient men to man-
handle them), myself and escort, to return to Shabkadr,
raising as much dust as possible. The battery commander
to take up his post in the end blockhouse to control his
fire by telephone when the right moment came ; the guns
themselves being then in a position of observation for
indirect fire outside the fort, and quite invisible.
It will be hardly necessary to explain that my idea was
to convey to the tribesmen the impression that we had
finished our day's work, and, together with the guns, etc.,
had left Michni. I knew from former experience that all
movements would be reported by their wonderfully rapid
and efficient method of communicating news, by means
A STUNT FOR THE VICEROY 235
of spies and look-out men in every tree, and on every
height.
About 6 p.m., as I had anticipated, all the men in the
village turned out with blankets and any kind of vessel
to collect the precious bullets. When they were really
busy at their work, the battery commander let fly, and
so rapid was his fire that, even with the old ten-pounder,
he had twelve shell in the air before the first one reached
its objective. Officers posted in the blockhouse with
glasses declared that the firing was wonderfully good and
the casualties extremely heavy. The Mohmands, how-
ever, would never admit this, though the fact remains
that Number 43 Blockhouse the one in question was
sniped no more.
There is nothing more fascinating than trans-border
warfare. The wild and difficult country, the manly and
hardy tribesman, the uncertainty regarding his movements,
the element of surprise, the necessity for ceaseless vigilance,
the calls that are made on the stamina of the troops and
on one's own endurance, all tend to bewitch and allure.
To try and compare it with trench warfare on the Western
Front is, of course, ridiculous. One may be aptly termed
a hideous nightmare, and the other a very dangerous sport.
The late summer of 1917 saw me transferred from
Abbottabad to Army Headquarters again this time as
Inspector of Infantry for the South of India and Burma.
As the area included all infantry in the Lucknow, Secunder-
abad, Mhow, Poona and Burma Divisions, as well as the
Defended Ports of Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi and Madras,
there was a considerable amount of travelling to be done
by railway, by river and by road.
Delightful as it was to have the opportunity of visiting
the south of India and Burma, which I had never seen,
and interesting and instructive as the work would surely
be, still, to leave Abbottabad and part with the Nepalese
contingent, the six splendid depots, and the two Gurkha
battalions camped twenty-four miles away, was a great
wrench. Besides, this was the separation from the moun-
tain warfare school which it had been such a pleasure to
visit occasionally.
At that time, in India, force of circumstances had
greatly increased the number of troops under certain
brigadiers until, what with Indian depots of enormous
236 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
strength, British reserve battalions, newly-formed units,
and odds and ends of every kind, brigadiers were some-
times responsible for as many men as were formerly
contained in two or three Divisions. The Bangalore
brigade, for instance, under General Iggulden, comprised
at one time between sixty and seventy thousand troops,
while affiliated to my so-called brigade at Abbottabad,
in May, 1917, was the equivalent of five brigades, as below,
with units scattered all over the place.
1. Abbottabad Brigade (three units at or near Abbott-
abad, one in the Murree Hills).
2. Third War Brigade (one unit Abbottabad, one
Murree Hills, one Hoti Mardan, one Cherat, near
Peshawar).
3. First Brigade Nepal Contingent (Kakul, near Abbott-
abad).
4. Second Brigade Nepal Contingent (Kakul near
Abbottabad).
5. Forty-sixth (Reserve) War Brigade (one unit Dagshai
in Simla Hills, one Nowshera, one Lahore Can-
tonment, one Fort William, Calcutta).
The last brigade was formed in case it was necessary
still further to reinforce General Beynon's Waziristan
Force. It was not eventually required and was never
concentrated, but I was directed meanwhile to inspect each
unit. The staff detailed belonged to other generals who,
being themselves overwhelmed with work, did not at all
see the point of parting with a single staff officer even for a
short period. Eventually I cajoled one brigadier (R. E. H.
Dyer, of Amritsar notoriety later on) into sparing the
officer warned as brigade major (Major H. E. Weekes,
loth Gurkhas), and we got round, with some difficulty,
in about the hottest part of the hot weather.
It had been the abnormal increase in infantry strengths,
especially in the south of India, and the enormous number
of young soldiers in all stages of preparation, coupled
with the difficulty of finding officers and others capable
of instructing them, that had necessitated the appoint-
ment of two inspectors of infantry. My colleague in the
north was Brigadier-General Gerald Christian, late of
the Yorkshire Regiment. As inspectors of infantry spent
a large portion of their time in the train indeed, I
A STUNT FOR THE VICEROY 237
had to make journeys sometimes covering four and five
consecutive days we were allowed inspection carriages
containing kitchen, pantry, servants' compartment, etc.,
besides accommodation for ourselves and staff. The first
allotted to me was much too small altogether. Besides
my staff officer, there was my wife as well as her maid
and the cook, butler, dressing boy and orderly.
Old Christian having snaffled the only bigger one avail-
able, I threw myself on the benevolence of Sir Lawless
Hepper, over whose railway (Great Indian Peninsular)
a lot of running had to be made. The result exceeded
all expectations, for on my second tour I walked into a
tourist car, at the broad-gauge terminus below Simla, over
sixty feet long, with all sorts of bogie wheels, a kitchen,
pantry, servants' quarters, dining-room to ^old twelve,
two four-berthed compartments, one coupe, excellent
big bathroom and a smaller one.
It was one of the cars built for American tourists
" doing " India, but who were tabooed during the war.
Keeping it during the whole tenure of my appointment,
we got quite attached to it. There were two drawbacks,
however, one being that its size misled passengers into
taking it for a refreshment car, and I was always meeting
thirsty individuals in the corridor, at halting stations,
looking out for a drink. Secondly, as many as twelve
chairs in the dining compartment took up an awful lot
of room.
As there was no intention of giving dinner parties, I got
rid of these by handing over a pair to the stationmaster
at the next junction, then two more further on and, finally,
near the centre of India, a third pair. Thinking, on
arrival at Bombay, that it was up to me to call and thank
Sir Lawless, I drove to his office to do so, in a Government
House car, between two inspections. This apparently
amused him immensely, for he said to the military secre-
tary :
" How extraordinarily punctilious General Woodyatt
is. I did him a very small service by allotting him a tourist
car, for which there is no use at present. He then takes
the trouble at Bombay to drive up in the Governor's motor
to thank me. Moreover, leaving chairs behind, out of
his carriage, at half the stations in India, he sends me a
wire each time to say where they are ! "
238 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
This appointment brought us into contact with all sorts
of kind and hospitable people, from governors of provinces
to depot commanders. We generally lived in the railway
carriage, even during lengthy halts, except at big places
like Bombay, Madras or Calcutta, where it would have
been impossible. At Bombay and Calcutta also Dar-
jeeling we enjoyed the hospitality, respectively, of Their
Excellencies, Lord and Lady Willingdon, and Lord and
Lady Ronaldshay. The Willingdons' popularity was
extraordinary, and, loved and respected as was the Governor,
this was nothing to the esteem and affection extended to
his lady.
And no wonder, for, added to her charming and attrac-
tive personality, was such an energy and such persuasive
force as to make her the object of devoted admiration
to all her associates. No woman, I am sure, during the
whole war, did more for the comfort, and to alleviate the
sufferings, of our sick and wounded. Certainly no one
had equal success to this end, in persuading people to
part with their valuables, their money, and even their
personal property.
We have the pleasantest recollections of our visits to
Malabar Hill, Bombay, in spite of an atmosphere of very
strenuous exertion in which one was obliged to live. The
Bombay climate is not invigorating ; a three hours' inspec-
tion in the early morning, followed by a second in the
evening, takes it out of one ; reports on units, if not
written at once, are apt to accumulate, with consequent
confusion. Yet the following actually happened on the
night of the first day :
Lady Willingdon. " Now, what is your programme
to-morrow ? "
Self. " A very early start for Santa Cruz (fourteen
miles from Bombay) and back about 10.30 a.m."
Lady W. " And then ? "
Self. (Thinking of a cosy chair, in pyjamas, after a
bath.) " Well, I've got reports to write and letters to
answer."
Lady W. " How long will they take ? "
Self. " Oh ! I don't know an hour and a half or so."
Lady W. "I see." (Then a call to an A.D.C. and I'd
hear) : " Lord , have a car ready for the general at 12
noon to-morrow, and take him over the Freeman-Thomas
A STUNT FOR THE VICEROY 239
Hospital. As this takes some time, better lunch at the
Yacht Club."
Now this hospital, named after their eldest son, killed
in the retreat from Mons, occupied some enormous new
offices, cajoled out of the owners by this resourceful lady,
equipped by her genius, and managed under her personal
supervision. It consisted of several storeys, each contain-
ing wards about six hundred feet in length, while the
basement was a huge Red Cross store all of which would
have to be visited.
Lady W. " And what are you doing in the afternoon ? "
Self. " Inspection of the Bombay Battalion, Indian
Defence Force."
Lady W. " When will that be over? "
Self. " About 6.30 p.m."
Lady W. "I see." (Another call and I'd hear) :
" Captain You know His Excellency is opening a new
Y.M.C.A. branch at 6 p.m., and then we go on to that
Cinema rehearsal. Meet the General at with a car at
6.30 and bring him on to the Y.M.C.A. hut."
Knowing I should be dirty, weary and tired, I had in
perspective another vista of pyjamas and cosy chairs
before changing for dinner. But I no more dared to think
of raising any objection, than I would have dared to enter
a lion's den.
To write a chronicle of this wonderful lady's activities
in Bombay during the War would take a book by itself,
and a very enthralling one, too. Did not the " Queen
Mary's Home for Disabled Indian Soldiers " (a most useful
and practical institution, and still existing), the beautiful
officers' hospital in purple and gold (improvised in the
Gaekwar of Baroda's Palace, and commonly known as the
"Gilded Cage"), the many women's war societies, and
a hundred other establishments in Bombay and Poona,
testify to her manifold operations and her amazing energy ?
It was the third visit only to Calcutta during my Indian
service when inspectorship duties took me there en route
to Darjeeling, where we were the guests of the Governor.
What struck me at once was the earnestness and industry
everywhere apparent in the civil government. With the
exception of Lord Curzon, I had come across no high official
who put in a longer and more methodical day than Lord
Ronaldshay. Both at Darjeeling, and later on at Govern-
240 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
ment House, Calcutta, I was astonished at the amount
of work he did, at the knowledge he possessed of Bengal
and the East generally, and at the grip he appeared to have
on all departments of his local government. Served by a
military secretary who was a master of his business, every-
thing went like clockwork, and they were very fortunate
people who had the honour of being invited to be guests
in Government House, Bengal.
Perhaps the most enjoyable of all visits was to the Jhansi
brigade as a guest at the house of the brigadier. 1 Enjoy-
able not only because of the kind hospitality of my hosts,
but because he was the first general I had met, except
my late divisional commander, who really understood
the necessity of " training the trainer."
The method of instruction at Jhansi was a revelation, and
I saw nothing else to equal it in India. At most places
the utter lack of any system was the weak point. Depot
and other commanders were left to carry on as they thought
best. Given a good man it was all right, for he followed
the instructions compiled with such care at Army Head-
quarters. But many had no leaning towards training,
and little experience. Here it was left to subordinates,
while the real leader busied himself with administration
and accounts, of which he had more than he could possibly
manage.
General Poore had thoroughly grasped the meaning of
" supervision, guidance and control." Every morning he
was round somewhere infusing life and spirit into his many
units. He had evolved an excellent system of progressive
instruction, and being an expert himself with sword, lance,
bayonet or rifle (as well as with bat and ball !), the
" guidance " was of the greatest value.
He was the first man I knew to see that we must prevent
training getting dull, and must do all possible to increase
the interest and intelligence of the Indian recruit. His
system included the novel and most successful experiment
of " recruit teaching recruit," which at Jhansi reached a
high standard of excellence. Whenever it proved a failure
elsewhere, the system was at once blamed, whereas it was
not the system that was at fault at all, but the method of
supervision.
A very earnest soldier, a deep reader and a strong advocate
1 Brigadier-General R. M. Poore, C.I.E., D.S.O.
A STUNT FOR THE VICEROY 241
for years of the straight sword for cavalry (which by the
same token was finally adopted, and in its first " blooding "
went through the Germans like brown paper), it passes
comprehension why his services were not utilised in the
great war. Instead of that he was left to eat his soul
out at Jhansi. A good thing for Jhansi, it is true, as it was
impossible for such a man to vegetate, but very hard on
the keen soldier.
His name will live long in India amongst trainers of troops,
and I dare say he and Lady Flora look back on Jhansi
with many happy memories she because of the lives she
brightened amongst British hospital patients and married
families, and he because of the memory of thousands of
well-trained recruits who owe their efficiency to him.
Burma was a revelation. Nothing that has been written
about it, nothing one is told, can in any way convey to the
mind the real wonders of the province. The gorgeous
beauty of Maymyo, 1 the fairy lakes in Rangoon, the grandeur
of the defiles of the Irrawaddy, the splendour of the golden
pagodas, the glorious sunsets on the lagoons of Moulmein,
together with the gaily-dressed, flower-bedecked, happy,
cheery people, combine to make an impression that will
last for ever.
Our stay was all too short, and we wished it could have
been four months instead of four weeks. I might, indeed,
have gone farther up the river to Myitkyina and also have
visited the ruby mines. But, being on duty and not on
a pleasure trip, it did not appear justifiable to put Govern-
ment to so much extra expense for the little good I could
have done at either place. The same nuisance of a conscience
stopped a visit to the Assam hill station of Shillong with
only a single depot. This was a place, too, reported so
charming, that I had long wished to see it, and is the only
hill station in the whole of India I have never been to.
The great disadvantage of my large area was, it contained
no places to speak of where troops were quartered at a high
altitude, making it feasible to inspect in the hot weather
before the rains. From May to July, travelling by rail
is very hot, while sojourning in a stationary railway carriage
1 A high plateau forty miles from Mandalay and the summer
head-quarters of the local government. Called after a Colonel May.
In Burmese " myo " denotes " place of " and is equivalent to " abad "
or " pur " in India.
Q
242 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
is quite impossible. Pointing this out in March, 1918,
with the proposal that my area should include the Fourth
(Quetta) Division, I was told that I ought to rest a bit at
present, but my suggestion would be favourably considered.
Hearing nothing for some weeks, and pressing the C.G.S.
for a decision, he asked me to come and see him in three
days' time. At my interview he informed me that, as the
Derajat 1 independent brigade on the North- West Frontier
was to be increased by the addition of the Multan infantry
brigade, and as a senior officer was required to command,
I had been appointed to it and should join by the ist May,
vice General Beynon, transferred to command the i6th
Division at Lahore.
1 Local name of plain between river Indus and Sulaiman range
of mountains. Tract includes and derives its name from the three
Deras i.e. Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Patch Khan and Dera Ghazi
Khan.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR
head-quarters of the Derajat independent 1
brigade, to which I had been appointed,
were at Dera Ismail Khan on the west side of
the River Indus. The station is not popular
and usually known as " Dera Dismal." The troops were
split up a good deal, being located, some at Dera Ismail
Khan itself, some in a hutted camp forty miles off at Tank,
and the remainder on the outposts beyond. By arrange-
ment with the Punjab Government the Multan brigade was
taken away from the Lahore division and included in the
Derajat command just as I arrived, which considerably
increased the work and responsibility.
To reach Dera Ismail you alight at a station called Darya-
khan on the North- Western Railway, with a sixteen miles
motor drive to the River Indus ; crossing it and its branches
by pontoon bridges from September to April, and at other
times by means of a little steamer. Dera Ismail is most
pleasant in the winter, but hot from May onwards, until in
July it is really bad. A peculiarity of the bungalows is
the quaint appearance of little shelters on each roof, where
one sleeps in the summer.
Soon after arrival I felt I must visit Wana, an isolated
outpost garrisoned by the South Waziristan Militia and
nine marches north-west of Dera Ismail up the celebrated
Gomal Valley. Finding the Resident, Sir John Donald,
was also going there, we joined forces, and had a very
pleasant trip together in June, although it was uncommonly
warm. Leaving Sir John at Wana, I returned via Sarwekai
and Tank to my head-quarters. This militia corps was
1 Called " independent " because not allotted to any division.
243
244 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
not under me except when we were mobilised, but I had to
inspect and report on it.
At Tank I had a hutted camp of all three arms with a
flight of planes. It was an appalling spot, with its eternal
dust-storms, inadequate shelter, bare surroundings and
scanty water supply. One of the units was a battalion
of the 2nd Gurkhas, whose men were feeling the heat pretty
badly, having a very large number in hospital. However,
the good old " 2nd " were not going to grouse, and just
making the best of it, were quite cheery.
But what alarmed me was the isolation of Wana, and the
serious problem of its garrison in time of trouble. Moreover,
after my inspection of the militia, I did not at all like the
situation as regards the British officers, feeling that, without
any stiffening of other troops, they would fare very badly
should their men fail to remain staunch. This seemed
to me extremely probable, for the position was very
different to that of the North Waziristan Militia at Miran-
shah, in the Tochi Valley beyond Bannu, where a whole
brigade of regular troops was camped alongside them at
Dardoni.
Here it is necessary to say a few words about our North-
West Frontier policy. For years there have been two schools
of thought : (a) the " back to the Indus " party, and (b)
the advocates of occupation practically up to the boundaries
of Afghanistan.
Theoretically the latter proposition is of course ideal,
but in practice it presents enormous difficulties. This was
one of the first problems to face Lord Curzon on his arrival
as Viceroy in 1899. He is understood to have been inclined
towards the " forward " policy, but not seeing how it was
feasible, he decided on a novel experiment. Withdrawing
large numbers of regular troops from the advanced posts
he replaced them by militia units composed of the tribes-
men themselves under British officers. In fact he made
the tribesman responsible for his own country. Then
there was the important question of material and moral
support. Lord Curzon was much too clever to forget that,
and provided it by means of regular troops placed within
our own administrative area.
This system worked very well for twenty years. It
broke down in 1919, partly owing to excessive and cunning
propaganda ; partly to the fact that Afghanistan was the
THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR 245
invader; partly to a weak policy (or lack of any at all),
and partly to neglect to provide that very support Lord
Curzon had been so insistent on.
It must be understood that the moral side of this support
is even greater than the material. In times of unrest on
the frontier great pressure is brought to bear on the militia-
man, possibly by his own people, to be untrue to his
salt. Many of the militia are lads who do not want to
desert, but, when isolated, find it hard to withstand the
supplications of their greybeards and mullas. 1 With
regulars stationed near, or sent up to stiffen them, they
can point to these, and resist the arguments of their
seducers.
Mr. Montagu stated the other day (1921) that Waziristan
is " a mountainous district roughly half the size of Switzer-
land." Rather an apt simile, for that is just what it is,
a little compact mountain country on the North- West
Frontier contained by the rivers Tochi and Gomal. The
inhabitants used to be called Wazirs, or Waziris, and are
split up into many tribes and sections, of which by far the
most important, of the main branches, are the Darwesh-
Khels and the Mahsuds. As a matter of fact the latter
are always called by their own name (Mahsuds), and the
people near Wana, Wazirs.
The country, consisting mainly of steep, precipitous
hills and deep, broken valleys, is a most difficult one to
operate in ; while numerous " tangis " 2 continually cropping
up are very tricky and dangerous to negotiate, with any
kind of an enemy in opposition. The remainder of the
country, with the exception of a few valleys, is little better
than a desert, owing to scanty rainfall and lack of
irrigation.
The inhabitants, especially the Mahsuds, are extremely
democratic, and even to their tribal leaders only give a half-
hearted allegiance, which can never be depended on. They
are a brave, hardy, independent people who live mainly
by raiding, simply because the country is too poor to
support them otherwise.
The numerous expeditions and blockades of the last
1 A religious teacher.
* A mountain defile, sometimes of considerable length, and often
consisting simply of a cleft in the mountains, at the base of which
runs a track frequently only a few feet wide.
246 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
fifty or sixty years have met with varying success. The
1917 campaign under Major-General Beynon produced more
complete submission, and a greater number of rifles sur-
rendered, than any before, yet these people could not resist
joining in against us when the Afghan trouble arose in 1919.
The thought of loot, the influence of the Amir's troops, and
the strong feeling that our day was over, was too much for
them. It certainly was a bad day for us, as they are still
on the war-path.
The Waziristan trouble being mainly economic, as has
been stated time after time, the best plan would appear to
be to devise some means by which the country could be
made more fertile. Dams, from which water could be
conducted to large areas, have been proposed. Here
there is the question of silt, but, if this is not in-
superable, some measure of extensive irrigation, combined
with a system of tribal levies, may prove to be the best
solution.
This matter of Wana seeming to be urgent, I decided
to report it at once to Simla personally, although a
perusal of the old files showed that the question was
no new one. It had been vigorously represented by
some of my predecessors, notably General Sir C.
Anderson.
It happened that I had not yet handed over my inspector-
ship, the arrangement being that I should go up to Simla
to do so, two months after taking over the Derajat indepen-
dent brigade. Rather a misnomer by the same token,
as the command, with Multan and its brigadier to say
nothing of Tank with its commander and various out-
posts, had much more the strength and status of a division
than a brigade. Doubtless overlooked, however, as I was
only paid as an ordinary brigadier.
Anticipating the date somewhat, I set off for Simla the
very night of my return to Dera Ismail from^Wana. There
strong representations were made and some kind of settled
policy requested. At the same time I fully stated my appre-
hensions as to what might happen should trouble occur,
but all without any success. Indeed it was said, what was
there to fuss about ? Wana was certainly very disadvan-
tageously situated everyone knew that but it was a
strategic point and must be held, and even if troops could
be spared which they could not it was considered inadvis-
THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR 247
able to transfer any to Wana, though it might be, as I
stated, a salubrious spot compared with Tank.
It was also said political reports upheld the belief, that
the militia were quite all right where they were. Moreover,
had we not just finished the successful 1917 campaign against
the Mahsuds and Wazirs ? Had they not submitted com-
pletely and handed in more serviceable rifles, stolen, captured
or surrendered, than had ever been known in frontier history
before ? Finally, there was no likelihood of any trouble
in that quarter for a long time, the relations with the tribes
never having been in a more satisfactory condition. That
was June, 1918.
There was no more to be said, and yet in less than twelve
months' time, when the Afghan trouble came and orders
were sent for the evacuation of Wana, out of the nine
British officers of the South Waziristan Militia, five were
killed by their men and two severely wounded, while
only two reached Fort Sandemann unscathed. In addition,
the mutineers seized the " keep " with all transport, arms,
stores, half a million rounds of ball ammunition, sixty
thousand rupees worth of treasure, and various other
property.
It is a well-known principle of frontier warfare to deny,
at all costs, any initial success to the enemy, simply because
such a catastrophe spreads like wildfire. Also because,
having been once top dog, even for ever so short a time,
the primitive but egotistical tribesman sees no reason
why he should not be so again. Therefore the failure to
abandon Wana altogether in time of peace and not while
hostilities were going on or else to stiffen its garrison
with regulars, would appear to be responsible in a very
large degree for all the trouble and enormous expendi-
ture that has occurred since, and is still occurring as I
write.
Some thirty miles from Dera Ismail, off the Bannu road,
where the low hills on the west bank of the Indus come
down to the plain, is the quaint little deserted station of
Sheikh Budin, once a favourite summer resort of the Bannu
garrison, for the place is full of breezes, and the nights
are delightfully cool. Approached by a tortuous thirteen
miles of zigzag track from Pezu, it contains about a dozen
houses in a shocking state of dilapidation, a church, a racquet
court and a large clubhouse with quarters all situated
248 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
in a little basin of two hundred yards diameter on top of a
hill over three thousand feet high.
These houses were built some fifty years ago all round
the edge of the basin, and being little used of late are now
almost entirely unfit for habitation without very extensive
repair. There is no water on the hill at all, with the excep-
tion of four large masonry tanks in the middle of the basin
containing very suspicious-looking rain-water. A dry
well is alongside which tradition says once held a large
amount of good water. A zealous sapper officer, however,
trying to increase the yield, investigated with dynamite
and effectively stopped the supply altogether, for it has
been dry ever since !
Such was the hot weather head-quarters of the Derajat
brigade, and we had to borrow it from the Bannu garrison.
They indeed said we might have it for ever so far as they
were concerned ! The clubhouse was sufficiently repaired
to make it fairly safe to live in, the owners of one or two
houses were induced to plaster a little mud on the walls,
a hundred mules for daily carriage of water were sent to
Pezu, and before I got back from Simla the office had
gone up to Sheikh Budin for the remainder of the hot
weather.
Early in 1919 the authorities got out their orders for
the demobilisation of INDIAN units with somewhat feverish
haste, and without due regard to all the factors that required
consideration. Doubtless there was a good excuse, pressed
as they were by the Home Government to reduce military
expenditure in every way. But the question needed looking
at from every point of view, and was a matter for very
mature reflection, and not for the hasty issue of dogmatic
instructions described, I am told, by one irreverent staff
officer, as " undigested froth."
Especially was this the case as regards the North-West
Frontier where, the climate having greatly reduced effectives,
the majority of infantry battalions could not put in the field
more than some four hundred trained men apiece. Yet,
under the hard and fast rules circulated, many hundreds
were got rid of who did not in the least want to go, and whose
retention with the colours was very desirable. Strong
representations were made by me, vigorously supported
by fellow, as well as higher, commanders, that, on account
of our present reduced units, a minimum strength of one
THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR 249
thousand two hundred and fifty per battalion should be the
standard fixed, instead of the figures laid down. This
seemed to us absolutely necessary for the time being, so as
to deal effectively with any eventualities on the North-
West Frontier. My recommendation, however, was not
accepted, with the result that when trouble came, a few
weeks later, units were woefully below strength.^X'
On the 2nd May the Afghans crossed our frormer near
Landi Kotal, in the Khyber, and on the 6th I was appointed
G.O.C. Waziristan Force, which included the Derajat
and Bannu Brigades, together with the north and south
Waziristan Militia at Miranshah (Tochi Valley) and Wana
respectively.
This is no place, nor would space suffice, to describe in
detail the third Afghan campaign, which can be read else-
where. It will be sufficient to say that the " plan " con-
templated active operations on the Dakka side (beyond
the Khyber Pass) only, to meet which all other fronts were
denuded of mechanical transport, aeroplanes, etc. On my
side even one flight of the latter would have made all the
difference. I feel indeed that even one plane would have
had an enormous influence on the decision of the various
tribes near the Gomal, Tochi and Kurram Valleys to be
on our side, or against us. But from the Gomal to the
Kurram we had not even a single plane for weeks after
hostilities commenced.
At this time was also formed the Baluchistan Force with
head-quarters at Quetta. It consisted of troops of the 4th
Division, as well as the Eastern Persian Cordon, with line of
communications from Nushki to Meshed. As the permanent
commander of the 4th Division moved up to command
this force, it was necessary to find a new one for the division.
General Sir Harry Brooking, just back from Mesopotamia,
was appointed. Being unable to join owing to ill-health,
I was promoted to the vacancy in his place, and joined at
Chaman 1 at the end of May. Over this there was some
extraordinary mishap to a telegram which, instead of reach-
1 An outlying cantonment on Afghan frontier, about 78 miles
by road and 88J by railway, north-west of Quetta, over the
Khojak Pass. Consists of two small forts, some bungalows and
native infantry lines. Is the terminus of the Quetta-Peshin-Chaman
branch of the North- Western Railway, which runs through the Khojak
Tunnel.
250 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
ing me about the i6th May, did not arrive until the
24th. This prevented me joining in time to conduct the
operations against Fort Baldak (an Afghan stronghold
some five miles from this border cantonment of Chaman),
attacked and captured by the 4th Division about the
26th May, without much difficulty, in spite of its formid-
able strength.
This journey to Quetta was about the hottest we ever
undertook. At one period my wife suddenly asked me what
the first symptoms of heat-stroke were like, as she felt
red-hot needles darting through her head. Putting a hand
up, she withdrew it quickly, for her hairpins were so hot
it had been painful touching them. When all the hairpins
were taken out there was no more trouble.
One fortunate thing was that we managed to keep motor
truck, horse box, luggage van, etc., with us. An excellent
A.D.C. (Lieut. Salmon, 2nd Gurkhas, one of the best I
ever had) looked well after ice for the horses, and they
got through the journey very well.
Chaman, being the advanced base for any forward move-
ment on what is termed the southern line (i.e. towards
Kandahar, distant only seven marches), has innumerable
troop sidings, comprehensive water scheme, some stores,
and a supply of rails, etc., for any railway extension neces-
sary. I found it in a partially protected state, but with a
great deal more work to be done. Arrangements were made
at once for an all-round perimeter defence by means of
barbed wire and trenches, as suitable for the troops avail-
able. In the middle of this, orders were received to com-
mence an elaborate scheme of outlying " strong posts,"
supported by lunettes, connected by deep zigzag communi-
cating trenches, and protected from one flank to the other
a distance of about twelve miles by an apron of barbed
wire.
Studying this scheme closely it seemed to me unsuited
to frontier fighting, and to be carrying trench warfare a
bit too far. I infinitely preferred a reliable perimeter
defence with full freedom of movement for aggressive
action wherever required. I telegraphed this to head-
quarters, begging to be allowed to scrap the new scheme.
Imagine then my amusement when the answer came that
my request could not be acceded to, ending : " It is desired
therefore that you carry out as expeditiously as possible
THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR 251
the scheme of defence evolved by you with so much care and
forethought ! " The italics are mine. I had no more
to do with its evolution than the Archbishop of Canter-
bury.
It is a matter of sincere thankfulness to me that there
was never any occasion to hold this line against a serious
attack. At the same time the work was most beneficial
to the troops in every way, keeping them abnormally fit
and strong. The occupation of so many small posts was
excellent training too for platoon and other sub-unit
leaders, in the exercise of their command, and the conduct
of those essentials so indispensable for the health, pro-
tection and welfare of their men.
Reports from other fronts in 1919 indicated heavy mor-
tality from sickness, evidently connected with water and
unclean surroundings. Sanitation and hygiene being
amongst my hobbies, I determined that Chaman should
be beyond reproach in these matters. Here it is a pleasure
to record I was backed up so wholeheartedly by all my staff
and commanders (and especially by the Royal Artillery,
who became a model) in the many improvements and
changes introduced, that when the travelling Health Com-
mittee visited my camp I was told they couldn't find a
single fly, and stated in their report that the sanitary
conditions were far ahead of any other area they had
visited.
Although the 4th Division was composed of very fine
troops we were quite immobile, having nothing but our
first and second line transport and a few camels. A wire
came one day asking how long I considered it would take
me to get to Kandahar, if not seriously opposed. I forget
the number of days given in reply, but with the transport
at my disposal it was well over twenty. The journey indeed
is only seven stages, but lack of transport would have
necessitated long halts to send back for, and get forward,
supplies.
Opposed to us at Chaman was a fluctuating force of
Afghans bivouacked within a few miles, here one day,
there the other, but not out to do us any damage. They
were occupied much more in efforts to induce the surround-
ing tribesmen to rise, than in plans for the discomfiture of
the division. Nor were we allowed, after the capture of
Fort Baldak, to take any aggressive action whatever,
252 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
pending the result of negotiations which were in progress,
and which ended shortly in an armistice followed by peace
terms in August.
Commanding these Afghan troops was an interesting
celebrity in the person of Sardar Abd-ul-Quds. He was
appointed Prime Minister of Afghanistan in 1919, when the
present Amir Amanulla came to the throne. In April of
the same year he was sent to command the Kandahar
front. He was recalled to Kabul in October, 1919, and
returned to Kandahar as Governor in March, 1920. A
whilom wanderer in exile with Abdur Rahman, 1 in the
seventies he returned with him when the latter was made
Amir of Afghanistan in 1879.
Flying low over his camp one morning, my airman on
duty that day came and reported how he had seen a very
fascinating young female, in pink, issue from the Sardar' s
tent, and wave her hand to him. So struck was he that he
begged permission to return there in the evening and drop
her a box of chocolates ; a request I was reluctantly com-
pelled to refuse !
Although well over seventy (born about 1845), the
Sardar had all his wits about him, and being inordinately
fond of writing used to send in an envoy bearing a flag of
truce and carrying letters for G.O.C. Baluchistan Force,
the Political Officer, or myself, two or three times a week.
They began with sentence after sentence of effusive com-
pliment, and then in a most roundabout way came to the
subject-matter. Abd-ul-Quds was really tired of the war,
and would gladly have taken his men away, but felt he
could not do so until Fort Baldak was restored z to the
Afghans.
He was always referring to this. Used to call it the
" purdah of his modesty," which he wanted my help to
lift, by restoration of the fort. He said his men would
refuse to withdraw until this had been accomplished, and
talked of the impossibility otherwise of them meeting
x The great Abdur Rahman, Amir of Afghanistan for over twenty
years, who died 3rd October, 1901. He was succeeded by his son
Habibullah, who will always be remembered for his loyalty and
staunchness to us during the Great War. Habibullah was murdered
on 2oth February, 1919, and followed by his third son, Amanullah,
the present ruler.
1 Eventually restored about September, 1919.
THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR 253
their women folk. He described most graphically how the
latter would ask, " In whose care is Fort Baldak ? "
On one occasion I had to call his attention to a
breach of the terms of the negotiations referred to by
his men.
s ^Back came his reply, sheets of it, from which I extract
the following. The translation is literal.
" You have written that a few tribal Ghazis * entered the
British territory which will not be so. The places where
the Ghazis live are limited and belong to the Afghan
Government. Of course it is possible that they might have
entered your border to collect firewood with a view of lull
owing to armistice. As your men had fired on them, it is
just possible that they might have answered, as our tribal
Ghazis never expected such unkindness. After that it can
be considered against friendship that you bombed. If
you and all your officers of your Government possess one-
tenth of the good feeling that I possess, there will be no
such occurrences. How it can be possible for me to work
without senses who have been doing work with wisdom
for the long past period and which is an admitted fact by
all the wise men. And now owing to the lack of discipline
of your subordinates if such act is done by you, it is con-
sidered to be my mistake. I would kill myself if such a
wrong act had been committed by me during these forty
years. In that condition if God please my death will take
place in such a way so as to live eternal life as regards
religious point of view and that my name be known
throughout the world as regards worldly affairs.
" Walu Mohid Khan my messenger says that Major
St. John (Political Officer) stated that who will stand a
surety if British vacate the Baldak Fort and hand over the
traders' property and see there is no taking up of wrong
way against British in future ? I write to you that the
way adopted by me during the last forty years will stand
as your surety. So far I have not asked anything from
your soil. As a corner of our modesty (Baldak Fort)
has fallen in your hands, I am desirous that you should
vacate so that I may be able to speak to my nation as
to enable me to open the entrance of conversation with
you."
Altogether it was a very pleasant time at Chaman.
1 Fanatics.
254 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
There were the delightful morning and evening gallops
round the camps, looking at protection and sanitation.
Then on to the defences with the cheery working parties
and vigilant " look out " groups. All this with the good
going and the communicating trenches as " leps " will
long live in my memory, and I hope in the memory of those
who went with me.
CHAPTER XIX
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA
OF the Territorials in India I could write chapters,
if space permitted. As it does not, I must
be content simply to give a brief record of what
I saw of them, of what people thought of them,
of what they had to do, and how well they did it.
It is not an easy subject to tackle, nor is it an easy one
on which to write so as to engage attention. In the first
place, they came to India, these Territorials, at the call of
duty, soon after the commencement of a great war, of which
no one could foretell the outcome. Therefore a situation
so full of anxiety, and pregnant with such grief, precludes
light-hearted treatment. Nor do I know many amusing
anecdotes concerning the force, with which to enliven the
narrative.
Secondly, the units were scattered over an enormous
area. I certainly came into contact with them in a large
portion of that area, but not sufficiently so to give full
details about all. Where I do go into detail regarding
certain regiments, and certain individuals, it must be
understood that I mean it to be typical of the whole. They
were part of that whole, which was actuated by the same
motive, and displayed equal zeal and energy in making
itself efficient. Moreover, all were included in a category,
embracing thousands, who never thought to see the East,
but suddenly found themselves pledged to four or five years'
soldiering in various parts of Asia.
Thirdly, this record, not being a history of the Territorial
Force, can have little value except as a statement of facts.
It is written more as a tribute to all ranks for their efforts
and conduct in India. Indeed, it would seem that, in
justice to the " Terriers," a brief account of their doings,
trials and good work is really called for.
255
256 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Lastly, a narrative of the actions of any body of troops
is very apt to assume the character of a despatch ; and
despatches are dull reading, generally very dull reading.
I do not mind confessing that I have already written and
re- written this chapter four times. The first attempt was
simply a despatch, stupid beyond words, I confess it myself.
The second and third efforts were not much better. The
fourth I thought an improvement, but my publisher, I
know, still looks on it as dull. I am not sure he didn't
say so, but with some hesitation lest as he insinuated
I slew him with a kukri.
My fifth and last endeavour I now commit to paper.
The number directly interested should be very large, as
some 55,000 Territorial troops went out to India. Should
others, who know not these men, find it dull, I hope they
will skip the chapter altogether. As for my publisher, if
he still dislikes it, well, there is always the kukri handy.
In the early part of the war, i.e. up to January, 1915,
thirty-nine field artillery batteries and forty-five infantry
battalions of Territorials went to India. Some others
arrived later on. My qualifications to write on this force
consist of the fact that between 1915 and 1920 no less
than ten battalions of infantry and three batteries of
artillery were under my command, at one time or another ;
while in 1917-18, as inspector of infantry, I visited some
fourteen battalions more. Moreover, when command-
ing at Abbottabad, I came across hundreds of Territorial
officers, and others of all ranks, attending the Mountain
Warfare School, established there in 1916 by Army Head-
quarters.
The senior Territorial units had volunteered for service
abroad hoping for the Western Front. The thought of
India instead was very distasteful, but they were buoyed
up by promises at home that it was only a temporary duty,
mainly necessary for purposes of training. When this was
fully completed they were to be sent back. The exigencies
of the service and the aggravated submarine menace
made it impossible to fulfil these promises, to the ever-
lasting regret of both officers and men.
If only the Australians and New Zealanders could have
been utilised to provide India with white troops, what a
saving in shipping, and what a convenience it would have
been. As it was, troops from home, going out to India,
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 257
actually passed, en route, colonials coming to Europe.
Again, when one hears at the present time of a shortage
of white soldiers in India to meet certain eventualities,
thoughts of the use that could be made so rapidly of these
colonial troops come into one's head at once.
Perhaps the people who were most puzzled at the advent
of the Territorials were the ordinary natives of India.
Led to believe by seditious busybodies that England was
at her last gasp, and could never replace the British garrisons
sent overseas, they were astonished at these fresh troops
pouring into the country. The men, too, were so different
from the pre-war regular. Instead of calling them " gora
Log," 1 they felt inclined to designate them " sahibs."
All the more so, because of the absence of drunkenness or
crime, and their greater command of ready money. This
was well expressed by a native shopkeeper in Multan
enquiring : " Who are these new soldiers who have cheque
books ? "
From the very first a weak point in the Territorials was
a want of knowledge of " administration " and of Indian
regulations which was natural. This resulted in a good deal
of unnecessary discomfort to all ranks . ' ' Conducting parties ' '
from the regular battalions left in India were detailed to meet
territorial units, and remain attached for instructional
purposes. These afforded them a certain amount of help,
but the requirements of the war had already called away
the more senior officers and N.C.O.s.
Another serious handicap of the earlier arrivals was the
recall to their own units of the regular adjutants they had
always possessed. Some were gathered in before the
battalion left England, and others soon after its arrival
in India. Indeed the Territorials had many difficulties,
disappointments and obstacles to contend with. It is all
the more creditable to them that, nothing daunted, they
played the game all round, from the moment of their
arrival until their final departure.
With " complete training " as the objective, it is only
natural that their main desire was to reach this goal as
quickly as possible. Every effort was made to help them
by allotting units to stations where they would remain
for some time, and where they would receive every facility
1 Lit. " gora "= white, fair complexioned, and " log " =people.
The general term used by Indians to denote the British soldier.
R
258 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
for training. As regards the infantry, the demands of
climate, and the pressing necessities of a world-wide war
(combined with an everchanging, and at times somewhat
menacing internal situation), made obligatory not only
large detachments, when concentration was so necessary,
but also frequent moves from station to station, which to
them seemed absolutely pointless.
Army Headquarters called early for returns direct from
every unit, giving each man's trade, qualifications and
former occupation. Commanding officers therefore found
themselves denuded, willy-nilly, of N.C.O.s and men,
sometimes their best, for clerks, supervisors, mechanics,
chauffeurs, signallers, machine-gunners, artificers, and every
other kind of specialist and workman. This naturally brought
each C.O. to the depths of despair as regards the improved
efficiency of his command. Yet it was evident this con-
stant drain was unavoidable, and for the good of the whole.
In the ranks were a large number of public schoolboys
and others very suitable for commissions. As the question
of the shortage of officers in both British and Indian ser-
vices became more acute, it was necessary to tap this
source of supply. In many cases, the boys themselves
were anxious for promotion, and their commanding officers
did not care to stand in their way. Anyhow, orders were
soon received which, after reviewing the situation, directed
that all those considered in any way eligible were to be
encouraged to apply. Thus hundreds of excellent officers
were provided, but it did not tend to make matters easier
for the C.O.
As regards his own officers he fared little better ; for
as the demand owing to wastage became more insistent,
he was called on to supply them not only for personal,
general, technical and administrative staffs, but also at
a moment's notice to fill the place of casualties in the
field.
So much has been said to show the difficulties and per-
plexities confronting commanding officers, that one may
well ask how did they get along at all, and how did they
keep up their strength ? They got along by steadfastness
and grit, and their strength was maintained by frequent
drafts of both officers and men from home. At first poor,
the drafts gradually improved, although naturally requiring
an immense amount of regimental instruction. Many
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 259
of the recruits had not even fired a shot from their
rifles.
So much for their earlier troubles. It will for ever
remain to the glory of the Territorials in India that they
never once looked back in their path of progress. Many
battalions became so efficient, after two or three years,
that there was little to choose between them and some
of the best pre-war regular units.
A word about their efficiency on arrival and its gradual
improvement. As was only to be expected in such a
force, the officers were very uneven. In all units there
were some good ones, in many the majority were good,
while in a few the standard of officer efficiency was very
high. Many were born soldiers, who had really mis-
taken their profession in remaining civilians. These soon
came to the front, and a considerable number were utilised
on the staff and elsewhere, where they did most valuable
work.
There was Major H. W. Woodall, of the 4th Dorsets,
who acquired particular merit, and was rewarded with
a Companionship of the Indian Empire. I had three
staff officers with me when Inspector of Infantry, one
succeeding the other, 1 and all did me extremely well.
They had good military knowledge, and their former
business experience made them very reliable staff officers.
Speaking generally, and especially of the junior officers,
there was at first an absence of the true military instinct,
forcing one to class such officers as partially trained
civilians instead of soldiers. This instinct in many cases
had to be acquired, and it came in due course. In the
early days, for instance, few officers had been taught how
to give a command, with the result that there was too
much unnecessary politeness in issuing orders to the men.
This wore off in time, but until it did, orders were apt
to be perfunctorily carried out, without any " jump "
or alacrity in compliance.
The best officers, and the number was large, had an
exceptionally good theoretical knowledge of their pro-
fession. It is much to their credit that they had studied
their manuals so well, and were able to impart the instruc-
1 Captain Satterthwaite, i/4th R.W. Rents ; Major Good-
man Whiff en, i /5th East Surreys ; Captain Chance, i/4th Border
Regiment.
260 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
tion gained. As good a lecture as I ever attended was
one given on " protection " x by a company commander
to his men. He knew his subject thoroughly, put it to
his audience in the simplest language, explained the leading
principles very lucidly, and gave apt illustrations from
military history.
The commandant of the Mountain Warfare School
at Abbottabad told me he was astounded as much at the
knowledge of his books by the Territorial officer, as at
the difficulty he found in practical application in the field.
Adding that his astonishment was far greater when he
saw their progress in this matter with instruction and
practice.
The non-commissioned officers were most zealous and
diligent, with good, sometimes very good, knowledge of
their duties. Their weak points were want of initiative
and power of command, attributable to inexperience and
to lack of opportunity.
The men were most intelligent, fairly well drilled, and
very anxious to do well. There was hardly any crime.
As an instance, the i/4th Wiltshire Regiment from the
time of their landing in India in 1914 to their departure
for Palestine in 1917 had not a single court-martial and
no case of drunkenness. I think this must be a record.
Physique and age varied tremendously. The physique
in some units was extraordinarily fine, while in others
it was not so good. As regards age, one example will
suffice. The 2 /6th Hants appeared to be mainly boys,
while the 23rd Rifle Brigade at Multan were nearly all old
soldiers.
The latter 2 was one of seven Territorial battalions
formed in October, 1915, and attached to the Rifle
Brigade. The men came from the " national reserve "
who at the outbreak of war offered their services for any
duty required of them. They had been employed up
to date guarding railways, docks and other vulnerable
points, and some 250 of this unit possessed war medals
or long service and Volunteer decorations.
It came under me at Multan, where it had been
1 A lecture on outpost duties by Major the Honourable E. Strachey,
I /4th Somersets.
1 23rd Battalion (North Western) (Territorials), raised by Colonel
T. E. Turnbull, O.B.E., V.D.
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 261
stationed nearly two and a half years. On marching
into barracks on arrival the natives had been heard to
remark, " These are pukka soldiers and not to be played
with ! " Multan is a hot place and in the summer of
1918 it struck me the men were feeling the effects of the
heat. Getting them moved, they went to Bareilly, looked
upon as a very healthy place. Results proved that
Multan, though hot, is not unhealthy.
This battalion did some really excellent, though by
no means exhilarating, work at Multan. Besides heavy
garrison duties, it had to furnish detachments innumerable,
including a company at Amritsar. The garrison gunners
having left Multan, the guns and machine-guns in the
fort had to be manned by the 23rd Rifle Brigade.
Fortunately their cosmopolitan composition enabled them
to provide teams without difficulty.
One summer the environs of Multan were not only
infected with cholera and malaria, but also with a very
virulent outbreak of plague. This necessitated a strict
cordon round cantonments, towards the city, and involved
heavy piquet duty admirably performed. For the Marri
expedition the battalion furnished many N.C.O.s and
men for various services, while the adjutant was taken
as a base commandant. One N.C.O. left at Amritsar
as electrician, after the company was withdrawn, was
brutally murdered by the natives in the rebellion of April,
1919.
This is not a tale of woe, but simply a partial record
of one Territorial battalion's sojourn in India, with an
account of all it was expected to do, and how well it did
it. There was none of the exhilarating excitement of
hard-fought actions in the field. Only difficult and
uninteresting garrison duty with the thermometer reaching
124 in the shade. Such an achievement, cheerfully
performed, by a Territorial battalion of old soldiers speaks
well for the force, deserves much of the State, and merits
the approbation of soldiers and civilians alike.
With such grand material to work on, it is not surprising
that its further training was a source of much interest
to the brigadiers concerned. What pleased me so much,
just the same as with the Nepalese contingents, was the
wonderful responsiveness of the territorials, their eager
desire for efficiency, and their keenness to make good.
262 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Advance in proficiency of course varied, and it varied
much more in proportion to the help and understanding
given by higher leaders on the spot, than to the original
standard of preparedness. No troops were more sus-
ceptible to sympathy. Given sympathy, combined with a
thorough understanding of their characteristics, idiosyn-
crasies and needs, then you were able to get at these people,
when there was nothing they could not do. These pages
teem with references to sympathy, simply because personal
experience is always revealing the fact that it is the most
valuable attribute a leader can possess.
As a general rule, and especially with the older units,
the Territorial force was to be congratulated on its com-
manding officers. The first to come under my command
was Colonel the Earl of Radnor, commanding the i/4th
Wiltshire Regiment. He had been commanding for some
years, knew every man in the battalion, kept a strict
discipline, and, looking carefully after the welfare of his
unit, had his finger on its pulse in every way. Blessed
with a good second-in-command and an excellent body
of officers, it is not surprising that the unit was in very
good order. To illustrate the fine spirit imbued in the
mind of this officer, the following is worthy of mention :
The battalion was quartered at Delhi, and half of it
was to remain there for the hot weather, while the remainder
went up to Chakrata, a hill station in the Himalayas above
Dehra Dun. Lord Radnor was not a young man and
had not sojourned in India before. Giving him the option
of taking his head-quarters up to the hills, so that he him-
self would have the advantage of a delightful climate
all the summer, he asked me for a little time for consider-
ation. Next morning he told me that feeling responsible
for his men, who came from his own country, he could
not think of leaving them to swelter below, while he him-
self enjoyed the cool breezes of Chakrata.
Soortly afterwards Lord Radnor was promoted to succeed
me in command of the Delhi brigade, with the rank of
brigadier-general, which appointment he retained until
his return to England. From there he was deputed to
France as director of agriculture at general head-quarters.
He was succeeded in the command of the i/4th Wilt-
shires by his second-in-command, Lieut .-Colonel Armstrong,
who was an excellent officer much liked and respected
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 263
by all ranks. After being severely wounded in Palestine,
this officer died of his wounds at the advanced aid post
the day his battalion gallantly captured Miskeh (igth
September, 1918).
I came across many other C.O.s far above the average.
Play fair of the 2 /6th Hants was an old regular, and just
the man to raise and train a young battalion of Hampshire
lads. Harvey of the i/5th East Surreys had an excellent
unit, he looked well after his officers, knew the men
individually, and took the greatest interest in their wel-
fare. He afterwards held commands in S. India and
Hong-Kong, not getting home until something like
1920. Waterlow commanded a very thoroughly trained
battalion in the i/4th Border Regiment, which acquired
wonderfully good reports, both in Burma and in
India.
Then there was Colonel Frank Johnson, D.S.O., i/6th Royal
Sussex, who achieved undying fame as the administrator
of martial law in the Lahore area during the disturbances
of 1919. His many proclamations, all commencing
"Whereas," are admirable models of how such official
notices should be framed. The firm, just and unflinching
rule he established at a most critical period, not only earned
for him the admiration and gratitude of Europeans and
law-abiding Indians alike, but the honour of having his
portrait hung in the hall of the Punjab Club at Lahore.
Beneath is no name and no inscription, simply, in gold
letters, the one word " Whereas." A fitting tribute in-
deed, for all time, to a Territorial officer of exceptional
merit.
These few names are given not only as typical of the
Territorial battalion commander, but also to bear witness
to the valuable services rendered to the State by Territorial
officers in a higher and more extended sphere.
The county of Hampshire was very largely represented
in India. Besides seven batteries of field artillery, four
battalions went out with the 1st Wessex Division on I2th
October, and three more followed on the I2th December,
1914. In addition the gth battalion arrived in 1916 and
remained until October, 1918, when it proceeded to Siberia
via Vladivostock. No units had a better record in India
than the Hampshires, or were more genuinely liked. As
regards the gth battalion, it is interesting to add that it
264 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
was the only British unit to go to Siberia (except Colonel
Ward's l battalion) and that it did very well there.
As related before, anent the Delhi brigade, an order
was issued early in 1915 that all Territorial infantry bat-
talions were to undergo a modified form of the " Kitchener
test " 2 at the hands of the brigadier concerned. This was
somewhat premature as regards many units. However,
remarks about putting the cart before the horse were ignored.
Army Headquarters gave their decision, that all those in
India must be tested at once. Their idea was to get the
relative value of the various battalions. Any modification
in the test considered necessary was to be made by the
local general concerned. For the Territorials of course
the " test " went no farther than the brigade.
At this time there were three Territorial infantry units
under my command, namely one senior, i/4th Wilts, and the
others, 2/6th Hants and 2/4th D. C.L.I., much more recently
formed. I took the i/4th Wilts before the others and sub-
jected it to a test of about thirty- three consecutive hours, in
which it did exceedingly well, and had not a single casualty
from first to last. This was so gratifying that on addressing
them for a few minutes after it was over, I gave them the
highest praise I could by telling the Colonel that I envied
him his command.
Never once did the officers or men get rattled, and yet
my system of giving each order on a slip of paper for the
next action, as the current one was nearing completion,
combined with the unrevealed nature of the whole pro-
gramme, must have been disconcerting in its novelty alone.
Coming back, after delivering the fourth order, as the
sun was setting at the end of the first day, I asked my
staff officer if the C.O. seemed at all disturbed, and he
told me his only remark was : " What, another ? "
It was now the end of March with two more battalions
to test, one at Agra and the other at Bareilly. Well-
knowing Agra's capability for heat at this season, it was
necessary to hasten there at once. Colonel Playfair's
battalion, the 2/6th Hants, was newly raised, the men only
partially trained, and until a short time before split up
into detachments since arrival in India. I thoroughly
agreed with him that the " test " came before the unit was
1 Colonel John Ward, C.B., C.M.G., M.P.
1 See Chapter x. (Lord Kitchener).
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 265
ready for it, but as a matter of fact it did very well. The
" covering " and " overhead " fire in an attack with ball
was so bold and so realistic that I marvelled at its temerity
and said so. Playfair, with a laugh, muttered something
in the sense of, " Where ignorance is bliss, etc." !
There still remained the unit at Bareilly (2/4th Duke of
Cornwall's Light Infantry), also a very young one and with
little help or guidance given it to date. The material,
however, of sturdy Cornishmen, was about the best I had
seen. Solid vigorous boys with plenty of life, full of spirits
and much interested in their new surroundings.
The heat was pretty bad in any case for a fifteen-mile
march followed by an attack with ball, but the intensity
of the " test " was much enhanced by a misunderstanding
of orders. This resulted in the men having to lie down
in the sun for an unconscionable period, and then advance
over heavy sand. By the evening they were quite cooked
and I was so anxious about their prostration that all night
work was cancelled, though the officers and senior N.C.O.s
were taken on by themselves.
It was reassuring to find the C.O. quite tranquil about
his men. He told me they were very tough customers,
and would be all right in a few hours, which confidence
was fully justified. It speaks well for the grit and
stamina of the men of Cornwall that they were able to
come successfully through so severe an ordeal. They
were all just as cheery and happy next morning as if
they had only attended a picture palace entertainment the
day before.
About March, 1916, it was evident that, on account of the
aggravated submarine menace and other considerations,
it would be impossible to transfer any battalions to the
Western Front from India. At the same time possibility
of their employment on the North- West Frontier opened
up the question of training in mountain warfare, of which
neither officers nor men had any experience. The Abbott-
abad School referred to before was primarily intended
for officers and N.C.O.s of Territorial units only, but was
later on extended, mainly at my instigation, to instruct
officers of all services in this important subject.
A word about this school. From remarks in the public
Press after the third Afghan War in 1919 it is evident an
opinion prevailed that instruction in this branch of warfare
266 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
had been entirely neglected. Nothing could be further
from the facts.
The school was first established in the summer of 1916
for forty-eight territorial officers and N.C.O.s at one time
for a course of about six weeks' duration. The combination
of officer and N.C.O. was found to be a mistake, so separate
courses were assembled. Later on the school was enlarged
so as to accommodate a hundred senior officers of all services,
for a course of about one month. Bar a short period in
each winter it has been running almost continually up
to date, and only the other day (October, 1921) I heard
from General Birdwood that he had been inspecting it.
The course is very practical and most useful to the
thousands of officers who have now completed it. The
commandant J is a man of ripe knowledge and experience
with the happy knack of being able to impart his know-
ledge. You can generally gauge the success and utility
of a school by consulting men who have attended it, and
whose opinions count. Without any exception those
opinions were very flattering, and all were loud in praise
of the instruction given.
Speaking of the social side, the advent of the Territorials
was a great event to the European population of India.
People, especially civilians, were particularly struck with
their patriotism and example. All were anxious to show
their appreciation of the splendid way these citizens had
abandoned homes, relatives, professions and trades, often
at great personal sacrifice and loss, to volunteer for service
abroad.
On the arrival of the first Territorial Division in Bom-
bay, Lord Willingdon's warm welcome, and the noble
hospitality of the Yacht Club in entertaining ninety-seven
of its officers at dinner the first night, aptly voiced the
feelings of the whole European community.
Later on people vied with one another in feting the
men, asking them out in batches to tennis, musical parties,
concerts, expeditions, motor drives, etc. All this came
under my own knowledge in places so widely apart as
Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Lucknow, Bombay, Calcutta
and Madras.
The Y.M.C.A., as usual, came to the front and did much
for the amusement and welfare of the men. Especially
1 Lieut.-Colonel W. Villiers-Stuart, C.B.E., 5th Royal Gurkhas.
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 267
useful and greatly appreciated were their lectures on the
country, and the tours they organised all over India. With-
out these a great number of Territorials would have had
no opportunity of visiting in comfort such historic and
interesting places as Agra, Delhi, Jeypur, etc.
One wealthy jute merchant in Calcutta invited batch
after batch of eight Territorial N.C.O.s and privates, at a
time, to his beautiful house there. Entertained them
royally on the fat of the land, and sent them out daily
in his motor-cars to the zoo, cinema, races, etc., etc.
Nor were native princes and Indian gentlemen behind-
hand in offering hospitality and welcome. The Maharajah
of Mysore himself received and entertained the 2/6th Royal
Sussex Regiment at Mysore, and had them shown over
his palace with its priceless treasures. This was a privilege
never granted before, or since, to British troops. Enter-
tainments and refreshments were provided at many railway
stations and cantonments by Indian gentlemen of various
classes.
The Territorials were both touched and gratified at
their reception from the social point of view. They
reciprocated on their side by forming troupes of players
and musicians out of the undoubted talent at their com-
mand. Also by getting up " sports," boxing tournaments
and musical evenings, not only in the larger stations,
but in all sorts of out-of-the-way places.
To bring my British units up to strength when command-
ing the 4th Division at Chaman in the third Afghan War,
the authorities sent me some hundreds of demobilised
territorial officers and men from Deolali and Bombay.
Men who were actually about to sail home, and men who
gulped down their disappointment in the most splendid
way, when told their services were absolutely essential.
Splitting them up amongst various corps an early oppor-
tunity was taken to visit and address each party, to tell them
how much we sympathised with their disappointment,
and how greatly we admired their stoicism and spirit. I
was most sorry for these good fellows almost pulled off the
ship to come up to the North- West Frontier. Pulled off too
just as they had said " Good-bye " to India, and were looking
forward so eagerly to meeting their wives, children and
relatives once more.
Little opportunity was given me of testing Territorials
268 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
in the field. I had indeed the 2/4th Border Regiment. 1
with me in the Mohmand blockade line, but there was little
serious fighting. The men of this unit were of very fine
physique, well disciplined and keen as mustard. It was a
great pleasure to deal with them, and have a chat with
individual N.C.O.s and men in the blockhouses.
On one occasion a temporary piquet was heavily sniped,
and on being withdrawn, when the duty was completed,
was followed up by the enemy. I happened to be present
as the piquet was nearing camp, and noted the extreme
reluctance with which the men withdrew, under orders.
As they approached close to me I saw that their eyes were
blazing, and they were full of suppressed excitement.
Quite a right fighting spirit.
About a month before this, a hundred men of this unit 2
joined a column of mine to destroy villages. They had to
start soon after 4 a.m., and didn't get back until about
7 p.m., having marched twenty-six miles and helped to
destroy two villages. It is not exactly child's play pushing
over mud walls, and burning houses. This was a very good
test of endurance, and they were most cheery over it at the
finish.
Did space permit I should like to follow up the subse-
quent happenings to the battalions I knew when fully
trained, and despatched to various fronts. This, however,
would take a volume of itself. Some small detail, of two
units only, I do append as an illustration of the fact that the
battalions from India bore their full share of casualties in
the field.
Somerset L.I., to Mesopotamia from India, 1916.
Casualties in f^d ' officers 3, O.K. 105
the field. W ded I0 ' *3
vDied on service 3, 68
Wiltshire Regiment, to Palestine from India, 1917.
Served with the 233rd, and, after capture of Jerusalem,
232nd brigade of 75th Division. Continually in action
in November, 1917, and from March to September,
1918. Lost several officers killed and wounded (in-
cluding the C.O., Colonel Armstrong), and about 35 per
cent other ranks.
1 C.O., Colonel J. F. Haswell, C.I.E., V.D.
Under Lieutenant R. T. Bruckman with two other officers.
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 269
But it is not only the units fortunate enough to get on
service in Mesopotamia, Palestine, North-West Frontier,
etc., who are to be congratulated on their prowess, but
also those left behind to the bitter end to deal with revolu-
tionary movements in India itself. As an example, the
case of the 2/4th Buffs at Multan under Colonel G. Gosling
comes to mind.
Besides keeping that area quiet during the risings of 1919
the men were utilised in the district beyond to travel about
in the hottest part of the hot weather, upholding the prestige
of the British Raj. Their capable brigadier 1 sent me daily
reports of the excellent work they were doing. Amongst
other things, he described how they had improvised an
armoured van out of railway trucks and sheet iron, which
they named " The Multan Lamb." In this the men dashed
up and down the line to any threatened point immediately
information of pending trouble was received. These services
were most valuable, and the mere knowledge that parties
of British soldiers could arrive in an incredibly short space
of time at any seat of disturbance had a very salutary
effect.
In conclusion let me say I shall always regard it as a
privilege that I was enabled to watch and in some cases do
a little to help the progress towards proficiency of a large
portion of this fine body of Territorials. My connection,
with some units or other, remained unbroken from soon
after they landed in India in 1914, to the year 1920, long
before which latter date they may be said to have become
the " finished article." By that time they had officers
and N.C.O.s possessing power of command and certificated
at the various schools, signallers complete and well trained,
Lewis gunners and bombers handy with their weapons,
while the men, confident, hardy and acclimatised were fit
to go anywhere and do anything.
It is a record of which any body of troops may well be
proud.
But in addition to the Territorials there were other
" War winners " in India from 1914-20, for whom a meed
of praise is due.
First come the " Boys of the Old Brigade," that force of
veterans formed into " Garrison Battalions " of which
no less than eighteen came out to India between November,
* General P. J. Miles, C.B., C.M.G.
270 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
1915, and March, 1917. They came out to " do their bit,"
with their plucky, but aged, officers to whom years were
nothing if they could but serve their country.
I came personally into contact with four pre-war officers
well over seventy, who were the admiration of all who
met them. Poor old Colonel Shepherd, late of the Norfolks,
died in harness at Calcutta to everyone's deep regret,
for his was the most happy and cheery personality.
Colonel Martin, late of the 2ist Lancers, and who
commanded them in their famous charge at Omdurman,
died at Karachi while O.C. troops there.
Colonel Marriott-Smith of the Royal Artillery, and
Colonel Wood, late of the Connaught Rangers, I am glad
to think, got safely home after a long period of duty in
India.
Homage is also due to the civilians of the Indian Army
Officers' Reserve and members of the Indian Defence
Force, who came forward in their thousands at the moment
of their Emperor's need. Some idea of the growth of
the former may be gathered when it is stated that in April,
1914, the strength of this reserve was forty-one and in
April, 1920, five thousand seven hundred and sixty-
seven.
Nor must one forget the Volunteers in India who tried so
hard, and for so long, to be taken seriously, and at last to
their great content became a Defence Force. Not that
their troubles were then ended, for they had only just
begun ! Mistakes were made and needless hardships were
incurred, but to one who like myself in 1917 inspected
thousands, there could be but one opinion regarding their
earnestness and zeal. Day after day the Calcutta maidan l
(to mention only one area) was a veritable champs de mars
with light horse, machine guns, infantry squads, companies
and battalions, training away for all they were worth.
The best of the " Indian civil service," and of other State
departments, who could be spared to go, set an example
by taking on some form of military duty. Many joined
the Reserve already referred to, and numbers were killed in
action. The more senior ones, even those of the highest
standing, who were not already commissioned officers
in the old Volunteers, joined the defence force as privates.
It was nothing uncommon to find in the ranks high court
1 Big open plain surrounding Fort William.
THE TERRITORIALS IN INDIA 271
judges, commissioners, collectors, private secretaries to
the governor of a province, and the like.
Many men, and boys too, for various reasons came from
England to India, individually, to " do their bit." The
Cadet Colleges of Quetta and Wellington were filled with
an excellent type of lad keen on entering the Indian Army.
An old friend J of mine at home (who retired before he was
a major) thinking his knowledge of hill men and hill fighting
might be useful, volunteered. His services being accepted
he came out at once and was given the ist battalion 50th
Kumaonis to raise. This he did so well that the unit
gained much kudos in Palestine, proving itself so efficient
that it is to be kept on and not disbanded. An immense
gratification to one who left his civil work to take up arms
again, and took them up with such splendid zeal and energy.
It has been whispered that India might have done more
than she did in the Great War. A complete refutation
of this will be found in a pamphlet printed in August,
1919, and now lying in the archives of the India Office in
Whitehall. It is entitled :
" Memorandum on India's contribution to the war, in
men, material and money."
A truly astounding record, which must be read to be
appreciated.
As a true lover of India I shall be happy if any words of
mine in this chapter convey to my readers the patriotic
and helpful spirit that existed, from 1914 to 1920, throughout
our great dependency.
1 Lt.-Col. E. M. Lang, late of the ist Gurkhas, and now a partner
in Messrs. Lea & Perrin, of Worcester.
CHAPTER XX
SOME TRIALS OF A COMMANDER
A OUT the time of the Afghan armistice I was
transferred to the officiating command of the
Poona Division, and soon found myself engaged
in dealing with a very unpleasant situation
connected with discontent amongst British troops regarding
their demobilisation. It is necessary to explain that on
the Great War ending, a very heavy task was thrown on
the military accounts department in settling up the field
accounts of the thousands of soldiers killed, invalided,
demobilised, to be demobilised, and still serving.
To meet this in India large drafts of N.C.O.s and men,
likely to be of use as clerks and accountants, were demanded
from every British unit, and concentrated in spare barracks,
camps, etc., at Poona, where the work was to be completed.
At one time the number was over four thousand, though
considerably reduced by weeding out and demobilisation,
at the time we are speaking of. Alongside them was the
head-quarters of the signal service with a varying British
strength of from one to three thousand, and a few miles
away the remnants of a British reserve battalion, whose
numbers fluctuated according to circumstances.
The trouble starting with the military accounts clerks
was backed up by the signal corps, and spreading to the
Reserve Depot, soon threatened to be most serious. I
had, moreover, no British troops whatever with which to
coerce the malcontents, and the use of Indian troops was
of course impossible.
Dissatisfied with the tales they heard of abnormal delay
at Deolali (the embarkation base). Discontented with the
earlier release of what were called " pivotal men," i.e.
those required at home to revive special trades and pro-
272
SOME TRIALS OF A COMMANDER 273
fessions. Disgusted at the ruling that men from Mesopo-
tamia, with whatever service, should go first, and displeased
at the communiques issued from Simla, which they con-
sidered contradictory and vague, their attitude became very
threatening, while " direct action " was openly discussed.
One morning at office, my brigadier-general, administra-
tion, entered my room in some perturbation to say that
several hundred men were marching to the divisional
offices in " fours." That one of the senior colonels of the
military accounts department had tried to stop them, but
they had simply walked quietly past his car. A few minutes
later they appeared near the buildings, and formed up in a
crowd on one side.
I first sent out the camp commandant, who after being
received with hooting and hisses, returned in a few minutes,
very pale, to say he couldn't get a hearing. The infantry
brigadier having turned up was sent next, and with a voice
like a bull of Basan, managed to get them to listen, and to
agree to disperse while a deputation of leaders remained
behind to be received by me.
A very unpleasant task it was, especially when the principal
spokesman, stepping out of the ranks and tapping his side
of my broad writing-table with his knuckles, said he
wished to speak to me as " man to man " ! His argument
was that a period of six months from the Armistice having
now expired, he was, by law, no longer a soldier. This
was quite a unique experience for me, not having before
found myself, as a general, practically in the dock with
my rank and file as judges ! He presented an ultimatum
on a dirty piece of paper containing four demands. To
these he said he was instructed to require an answer by
6 p.m., or the men would take steps to prove they were
very much in earnest, as they were thoroughly disgusted
with their disgraceful treatment by Simla.
The man a sergeant was a very good speaker, and
although his action was unusual not to say ill-disciplined
he was by no means aggressively disrespectful. He
very evidently meant all he said, and there was a good
deal on the men's side of the question, which fact I felt
very strongly. Listening patiently, and promising an
immediate investigation, the deputation withdrew.
After communication with Simla and more negotiations (!)
with the men, lasting some days, it was suggested by the
s
274 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Southern Command and finally arranged, that a deputa-
tion should proceed to Simla to state their own case per-
sonally. This resulted in the men getting rather more
than the four demands in their ultimatum, and the trouble
was over.
The suggestion to send up these men was an inspiration,
and required much firmness on the part of the Southern
Command, for " Simla " was extremely reluctant to receive
the deputation. Indeed, had it not been for the active
assistance given by the Governor of Bombay Sir George
Lloyd I don't think Head-quarters would ever have con-
sented at all.
It was a great pleasure to be brought in contact with a
real " live wire " like Sir George Lloyd. The hold he
acquired so quickly over the people of the Bombay Presi-
dency, Europeans and Indians alike, was most marked,
while his keen energy, driving force and business instincts
have been of inestimable benefit to a city like Bombay.
It is no exaggeration to say that when he lays down his
office, the record of progress in housing and sanitation, of
difficulties overcome and of improvements carried through,
has seldom been approached before. His kindness to me
is ineffaceable, as is the memory of the interest he took
not only in the welfare of the troops, but in little personal
matters coming under his notice.
Lady Lloyd soon endeared herself to the people of Bombay,
Poona and Karachi. To hear her speak in public is a
revelation, and a matter of much envy to anyone called
upon to do likewise. Absolutely at her ease, confident,
fluent and never at a loss for the right word, she is indeed a
valuable coadjutor to a public man occupying so high a
position.
The permanent encumbent of the Poona Division, having
been passed fit by the India Office medical board, returned
to India, and I was moved on to the command of the
1 6th Division at Lahore. This I was to hold until anno
domini, and a fresh distribution of the Indian Commands
(which made Lahore a British service vacancy) came into
force.
Except for parting with our kind friends at Government
House, I do not know that we were sorry to leave Poona.
To those who have continually resided in the Punjab,
United Provinces, or Quetta, the climate is not congenial.
SOME TRIALS OF A COMMANDER 275
The Poona season proper is July, August and part of Septem-
ber, when the monsoon breezes up the ghats make the
plateau very pleasant. It is then a real good station, but
at other times somewhat depressing.
The hunting is not bad, and I had many good gallops
there, but the great feature, during the season, is the succes-
sion of race meetings held under the auspices of the W.I.T.C. 1
These are really well run with experienced stewards and
secretary, comfortable grand stands, a beautiful course,
and, last but not least, abundant entries. A great attrac-
tion is the totalisator, 2 which does a tremendously big
business, taking the place of bookmakers abolished in the
days of Lord Sydenham.
This totalisator is a source of much profit, as five to
ten per cent, of the takings go to the fund. By this means
the W.I.T.C. has become extremely wealthy, but they spend
their surplus money wisely and well, in general improve-
ments for the benefit of the racing public. Also in very
handsome donations to deserving institutions and charities.
Indeed, so great is their benevolence that I doubt if there
is a single worthy object in the Bombay Presidency of late
years that has not received assistance from their hands,
especially during the Great War.
The officer accommodation question at Poona is perhaps
more acute than anywhere else, though it is bad enough
everywhere. At Poona it may be attributed to the large
increase in the garrison's strength of officers, and to the
fact that many wealthy Parsees and Indians have now
elected to take up their residence there, especially during
the season.
> West India Turf Club.
A method of gambling in horse-racing introduced into India
from Australia some twenty years ago. It consists of a building,
or booth, with windows like a railway ticket office. You go to a
window before a race and take as many tickets as you like on the
horse or horses you have selected. The price varies, but in Cal-
cutta and Bombay it is usually ten rupees (at present rate of ex-
change, say, 125. 6d.) a ticket. As soon as the start is declared the
windows are shut. Winners are paid directly the numbers go up
and you get your share of all the money invested on the particular
race, less five or ten per cent, for the Race Fund. By a mechanical
contrivance the number of tickets taken on each horse is indicated,
one by one, on a large disc above the ticket windows. By this
means you can judge the odds before making your investment.
276 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Houses in cantonments are very limited in number, and
those outside of a high rental and often very inconvenient.
As my predecessor, having no wife in India, lived in the
club quarters, there was no house whatever for us when
we arrived in the middle of the season. Strange as it may
seem, still it is true that as the divisional commander I
had to wait weeks before I could get one.
I am not at all sure that it was not through the good
offices of the Governor that one was eventually procured.
Anyhow he asked me one day if it were really true that
I couldn't get a house, and when I said " Yes," he remarked,
" Well, I'll see you do get one." Shortly afterwards one
of his high officials, whose wife had just gone home, went
to live in the club and, offering us his house temporarily,
at the usual rental, we gladly accepted it.
At this time we were receiving from home the post-war
regulars for the garrison of India, preceded by advance
parties of two or three officers of each unit with some fifty
N.C.O.s and men. As these parties were primarily located
at Poona for some time, while their destinations were being
decided, and as many battalions, drafts, married families,
etc., also made a brief sojourn there, I had every opportunity
of getting to know them.
The advance parties consisting, as they mainly did, of
selected officers and trained soldiers who had been out in
India before, were delightful to deal with. Later came the
new units themselves, of surprisingly good material, but
extremely raw and untrained.
The officering of these units varied in a very marked
degree. In one you would find hardly any officers who had
been in the ranks, and in another quite the reverse, until
the climax was reached in a battalion which had only half
a dozen officers who were not " rankers," including the
C.O. in the latter category.
Many of these "rankers," being married, complained
bitterly of the impossibility of living in India on their pay,
whether they had their wives with them or not, saying it
was much more difficult to do so than in England, with the
good allowances existing there. The Indian Government
at once sanctioned an increase of pay to subaltern officers
from the ranks, and many too were transferred home at
their own request.
It was most gratifying to note how quickly these new
SOME TRIALS OF A COMMANDER 277
troops settled down, how easily they got accustomed to
Indian conditions and how rapidly they picked up the tradi-
tions of their corps. Both in the Poona and Lahore Divi-
sions I was extremely pleased with the work done, the
progress made and the keenness shown by all ranks to reach
the pre-war standard.
It was with the married families we had the most difficult
task, owing to want of knowledge of their probable date of
arrival. For example, getting official intimation that those
of the battalion which had recently arrived to form part of
the Poona garrison would leave England in a month's time,
all their quarters were colour-washed and got ready.
It all took time, however, for a great deal of alteration
was required owing to a much enhanced establishment
to that existing before the war. This was probably due
to the extraordinary number of war marriages, and the
fact that the War Office did not wish these women and their
families to remain behind, if willing to come out. Almost
as soon as the above intimation was received, the infantry
brigadier called at the office to tell me the battalion com-
mander had just informed him that his women and children
were actually on the sea, and would arrive shortly.
" Quite impossible," we all said, and the official document
was produced, at which the C.O., who had come in, shook
his head, but was unconvinced, his private information
being entirely different.
The next day was Sunday, and at about 4 p.m. I was
informed that a wire had just been received from Bombay
saying these married families fifty-two wives and many
children would reach Kirkee railway station (a suburb
of Poona) at 5 a.m. next morning !
Now Sunday evening is not a favourable time to catch
people, nor are twelve hours sufficient in which to allot
furniture, arrange transport, prepare food, procure good
milk, engage servants and have everything conducive to
their comfort ready, for a lot of women and children
who have never seen India before.
My staff were pretty busy that night and so were
others and they told me next day how much they owed
to the officers and N.C.O.s of the artillery at Kirkee, who
had worked like Trojans, and were meeting these people
and feeding them for four days. This they did so well
that all declared they had never eaten such good food in
278 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
their lives before. I have always said : "If you want a
thing done quickly in an emergency and want it done well,
ask a gunner." They've never let me down.
It was fortunate the families were given a good break-
fast, for on reaching their quarters afterwards, and seeing
how small they were, what little furniture there was, and
how much they had to do, many of them sat down on the
steps and cried bitterly. Thus my wife found them on
going round to see if she could give any help.
This influx of batches of married people all over India,
with no knowledge whatever of the country and no nucleus
of pre-war families to show them the way about (moreover
women of a superior class to former days and accustomed
to a higher standard of living) , was a very difficult situation
to deal with. What made it still more difficult was the
fact that the War Office were unable to say, straight off,
what the fixed establishment should be.
I am afraid there was a good deal of discomfort at first.
The husbands had certainly to put their hands in then-
pockets to a very considerable extent, in addition to
grants from regimental funds, to provide what in the old
days might have been called luxuries, but are now requisites.
So far as I could ascertain the average came to about
Rs. 200 (say 13) per man.
The matter was of course immediately represented by
me, and doubtless by others, and the Government of India
took action as soon as possible. There was unavoidable
delay in completion, but before the question was repre-
sented by the Esher Committee, a much more liberal
household outfit was sanctioned. In addition, the con-
struction of a large number of extra quarters, of a far
superior type, was put in hand.
It is interesting to note that attention is now concen-
trated on good hill accommodation, while the winter
months will be spent on the plains under canvas. Some
of the old stagers, of whom there are a few left, will not
care about this for, like the pre-war British soldier, they
much prefer the ease, comfort, big bazaars and facility
for getting servants in the plains. They think nothing of
the heat, even putting aside any consideration for their
children.
Later, at Lahore, I was to experience an instance of this
where the wife of an old artillery sergeant, who had been
SOME TRIALS OF A COMMANDER 279
in India before, influenced the women of several new units
to refuse to move to the hills. She pictured them as bleak,
horrible mountains full of wild animals, with no bazaars,
no comfort and every movement done on foot. She had
no children, but others had.
Hearing of this I suggested a circular should be sent
round giving a true account of the horrors of the plains
in the hot weather. The beauty and advantages of the hills
were to be dwelt on, and a point made of the benefit de-
rived by the children. At the same time my staff pro-
posed to all brigadiers that the regimental ladies should
further the matter by personal visits and explanation.
This had very good results except in the very battery to
which this obstructionist belonged, where a bombardier's
wife with two children absolutely refused to budge.
Meeting the major's wife and asking how her propa-
ganda was progressing she mentioned this case, adding
she had tried every kind of persuasion in vain. She added
she had even gone so far as to say that the major-general
commanding the division was interesting himself very
much in the matter and thought no woman should stay
down in the plains. To this the bombardier's lady had
replied : " Major-general or no major-general, I am not
going to them 'orrid 'ills full of snakes and wild animals,
and nothing but working and walking from morning till
night ! " Eventually she was left below, but the children
were sent up with another family.
To arrive in Lahore as G.O.C. Division, but a perfect
stranger, at the very beginning of the 1919 Christmas week,
with its hunt meets, races, polo tournament, dances and
horse show, was something of an ordeal, but perhaps not
a bad preliminary introduction to all grades of society.
This was the first year since 1913 that any serious attempt
had been made to revive the pre-war glories of the Lahore
Christmas festivities, and what with hunting twice a week,
two full days at the horse show, and some kind of tourney
every afternoon, one was kept pretty busy. I had brought
with me, from Poona, my Australian hunter " Warrior,"
and at Lahore he repeated his Poona successes by taking
first prize in both " Hunter " and " English and Colonial "
classes, as he did again two months later at Rawalpindi.
The hunting was very good, and indeed all through
the season the M.F.H. (Lieut. -Colonel W F. S. Casson)
280 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
showed excellent sport to large fields. I took a bad toss
on the 29th February owing to my horse putting his
foot in a hole when going fast. But I always look back
on it as really a piece of good luck, because it happened
on the very last day of the season.
For the benefit of those who do not know, it may be
said that the Lahore Cantonments are situated six miles
from the capital itself, a distance which is just far enough
to make the journey a nuisance, and yet not far enough
to cause the visit to be a real change or novelty.
Tradition has it that in 1851-2 it was decided to
transfer troops from Anarkali (suburb of Lahore), on
account of its unhealthiness, to a new cantonment out-
side. This the Lahore general was instructed to select.
Seeing no object in placing troops anywhere except in
Lahore itself, he protested, but was overruled.
Time went on until, no plans or proposals being sub-
mitted, Simla sent very urgent orders for the selection
and report to be carried out immediately. Calling for
his staff and his horse, the general galloped hard across
country until his mount was clean cooked, when dis-
mounting, he said : " This will do for the site of their
damned cantonment ! " A stone opposite the present
church marks this spot, but the inscription on it fails
to do justice to the above legend. The name given was
Mian Mir.
In face of the question asked in the House of Commons,
during the war, as to whether it was true that certain
Territorials had been moved to the unhealthy climate
of Mian Mir, and the reply : " No, sir, but to the salu-
brious station of Lahore Cantonments," it may be as well
to explain that the two places are identical, except in
name !
As a matter of fact Mian Mir got such a bad reputation
for malaria that, after General Walter Kitchener's cam-
paign against this disease, when he closed all irrigation
aqueducts in the place, it was thought as well, in 1906,
to change the name to Lahore Cantonments. This com-
pulsory stoppage of innumerable little channels of water,
running in excavated ditches, certainly made a difference
from the health point of view, but the lack of irrigation
also made the station extremely dusty and barren. So
much so, that as funds became available, brick channels
SOME TRIALS OF A COMMANDER 281
were substituted for the old excavations and the water
was reintroduced. The place is not particularly un-
healthy now, but the decrease in malaria may be as
much due to the present habitual use of mosquito curtains
and to other health precautions, as to the change in the
methods of irrigation.
I arrived in Lahore too late to have any connection
with that prince of lieutenant-governors, Sir Michael
O'Dwyer, but in his successor, Sir Edward Maclagan,
the new ruler of the Punjab, I was to find a very charming
gentleman.
CHAPTER XXI
GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR
HO throw light on happenings in India since
1914 necessitates reference to the Amritsar
Affair as well as to the political situation
in India, comments on both of which I had
hoped to avoid.
I write as a soldier, and look at things from a soldier's
point of view. It is true I was on the spot, but the
political situation can, and probably will, be described
much better by someone with a greater inside knowledge
and a far abler pen. In a very able, clear and moderate
speech, Lord Sydenham called the attention of the House
of Lords to the situation in India. 1 His remarks had
evidently been prepared with great care. His statements
were concise and logical, while his deductions were un-
answered, because many of them were probably unanswer-
able. Is it any wonder therefore that I desired to omit
all reference to this subject ?
But as I wrote and my words were nearly all penned
three months before Lord Sydenham' s speech I realised
two facts. Firstly, that people have very short memories,
especially on subjects that do not interest them. Secondly,
that they labour under the disadvantage of obtaining
their information in serial form from the newspapers, and
so lose all sense of perspective.
Therefore it seemed to me essential that I should de-
scribe the conditions prevailing in India during and after
the war, especially as regards the Punjab. Further, that
I should lead up to the Dyer Case, and give a brief outline
of what took place at Amritsar. Finally, that I should
1 October 25, 1921.
282
GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR 283
present a bird's-eye view of the situation to-day from a
soldier's standpoint.
In 1907-8 there were seditious movements, but I need
scarcely refer to these, except to note that they did occur.
In 1914-16 there were risings in the South- West Punjab,
hardly anti-Government, for no Government officers were
attacked, nor was any Government property looted. They
were dealt with and suppressed, mainly by the armed
Police. In 1916 Mrs. Besant hoisted her Home Rule
flag in Madras.
During the same period there was the Ghadr conspiracy.
This was in existence before the War, and composed chiefly
of Sikhs in the United States of America, who were in
touch with disaffected Sikhs in the Punjab. After the
outbreak of war it was financed by German money. A
party of Sikhs left India for Canada in the early autumn
of 1914. Being refused admission into Canada, they had
to return to India, and landed in Calcutta, October, 1914.
Failure to search them for arms on disembarkation, and
some other mismanagement, led to serious rioting at the
railway station of Budge-Budge, near Calcutta, which
spread and had to be put down by the military. The aim
of the Ghadr party was the overthrow of British rule in
India.
In the winter of 1918 political agitators were extremely
active everywhere, especially at Amritsar, in the Punjab.
Every measure of Government, such as attempts to control
prices and commandeer stocks for the needs of the Army,
or people, at reasonable prices, was seized on for mis-
representation. Then came the publication of the Rowlatt
Bill in January, 1919. This was a measure, advised by
the Rowlatt Committee, to enable Government to deal
with seditious movements more speedily than by ordinary
law, and was rendered necessary owing to the Armistice
and the approaching lapse of the Defence of India Act
(the D.O.R.A. of India). Its introduction gave the ex-
tremists the very opportunity they were looking for,
namely, an excuse to combine, and to focus their anti-
Government agitation on a particular measure.
The Bill was passed in March, 1919, and was a signal
for that violent and unprecedented agitation all over India
with which Government had been threatened in the native
Press and on many a platform. It also led to Gandhi's
284 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
passive resistance movement, i.e. non-co-operation with
any Government work whatever. This was accompanied
by hartals (lit. a strike, i.e. passive resistance as evinced by
the closing of all shops, etc.), as decreed by Gandhi, upon
dates and in places fixed by him.
The result of all this was the outbreak at Delhi on the
30th March. This, had it been firmly dealt with, might
have ended the matter, but the leniency then showed
encouraged the party of violence, and it was followed by
the April disturbances in Lahore and insurrection and
open rebellion at Amritsar and elsewhere.
Seditionists had everything in their favour, for there
was a general restlessness during 1919-20. This was
mainly the aftermath of the Great War, for unrest was
abroad, and India could little expect to be immune. It
became a kind of mental disorder, which got on the nerves
of the people, making them discontented as well as restless.
Nor were their grievances entirely unreasonable, for a great
deal of serious economic distress actually existed. Food
was very much dearer, the luxuries the better class had
become accustomed to were often unprocurable, and the
price of clothes was prohibitive.
The people did not understand the reason for all this,
and, blaming the Government, as they do in all periods of
distress, became most fruitful soil for the seeds of sedition,
which agitators of all classes were not slow to take
advantage of. Any stick was good enough to beat Govern-
ment with, and bring it into discredit.
Amongst the more successful movements was their
emigration scheme * in connection with the Khilafat 2
1 The emigrants were also called " Muhajirin " (see footnote,
page 219). By this term Indians meant to imply that these
people were abandoning their country from religious conviction,
i.e. " making a flight " from India under a Christian Government
to Afghanistan under a Mahomedan power. Probably connected
with Mahomet's flight from Mecca, known as the " Hegira."
2 The Khilafat movement was organised by the Mahomedans in
India as a protest against the dismemberment of the Turkish Empire.
The Mahomedan looks to Turkey and the Sultan of Turkey as the
" Khalif," or head of the Mahomedan world, and protector of the
Holy Places of Islam, which include Adrianople, Constantinople,
Jerusalem, Mecca, Nejf and Bagdad. All of these, prior to 1914,
were under the suzerainty, if not under the actual control, of Turkey.
Mahomedan Holy Places being now in the hands of the, to them,
infidel (Greek or British) is, so they declare, contrary to the tenets
GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR 285
agitation which, engineered with much skill and ingenuity
by extremists of all creeds, caused me a great deal of
anxiety in the Lahore Division as likely to seriously affect
our Mahomedan soldiery.
Speaking briefly, it may be explained, that seizing on
the proposed Turkish peace terms as likely ground to afford
proof of England's desire to debase a Mahomedan Power,
these agitators made deceptive and misleading statements
regarding the transfer of the Khilafat or custody of the Holy
Places from the Sultan of Turkey, and persuaded many
thousands of Mahomedans, as a protest, to migrate from
India to Afghanistan.
They were told that the Amir and the Afghans would
receive them with open arms; that the country was one
flowing with milk and honey ; that they would be given
land rent free, and even cottages, cattle and fodder.
Backed up, as all these statements were, by doles of money
and railway expenses, raised by subscription, many thou-
sands of poor, misguided followers of the Prophet, dis-
posing of their holdings and selling their stock and cattle
at a great loss, embarked on this disastrous adventure
by special trains to the frontier.
As is well known, they were very soon disillusioned, and
finding their welcome in Afghanistan, and the conditions
existing there, the very opposite from what they had been
led to expect, the majority of those who did not succumb
and many did hastened to get back to India alive. On
return, in a miserable plight, they had immediate and
undoubted proof of the paternity and generosity of the
Government they had been foolish enough to dishonour
and abuse. They were received, like the prodigal son,
with feasting and gifts in the shape of restored holdings,
fresh cattle, and some money with which to start again.
In fact over large areas the counsel of the political agitator
was at a discount, while the prestige of and belief in
Government became higher than ever before on the
North-West Frontier.
My forebodings regarding the danger of this movement,
as regards our Mahomedan troops, were no illusion. In
September, as the Khilafat emigration was progressing, I
of their religion. As a matter of fact Indian Mahomedans had never
looked to Turkey before. This protest was, therefore, simply a
move in the political game,
286 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
was called to Multan in connection with uneasiness in
the I27th Baluchistan Infantry on this very question, and
for which the men were in no way to blame. The bat-
talion had lately returned from service overseas, and
about half the men had proceeded on leave to their homes
on the North- West Frontier. A large number, however,
immediately returned, to report that they could find neither
wives, homes, nor relatives, as all had disappeared and
emigrated into Afghanistan. Such a state of affairs natu-
rally caused the greatest disquietude.
In the interim, the exigencies of the times necessitated
the move of this unit for active service on the frontier,
as soon as the leave men had all returned. It was at
this juncture that Major Kennedy-Craufurd-Stuart, the
O.C., reported the matter, begging for guidance and help.
On reaching the regimental lines I noticed large groups
of men standing about, and a good many talking excitedly
to someone in a car. They would have stopped mine,
but, by a piece of good fortune, this someone happened to
be an inspecting brigadier from Simla, who was just ahead
of me. Thinking he was the divisional commander,
the men formed up across the road and, while speaking
to him, as his car pulled up, I slipped quietly by.
I was soon closeted with the O.C. and his Subadar Major
(senior Indian officer) in the orderly room. I had not
met Major Stuart before, but was struck at once with
his capacity, and level-headed grasp of the whole situation.
His S.M. appeared to me about the best type of a manly,
honest, straightforward frontier soldier I had ever come
across.
The result of the investigation was a " clear line " wire
to Army Headquarters, explaining the facts of the case,
with a strong recommendation that the projected move
of the unit to the frontier be cancelled and the men given
very liberal leave to their homes. [I had information that
a great number of the emigrants were returning by batches.]
Both were sanctioned and, as this was just what the O.C.
wanted, and what the Subadar Major said would make
matters quite all right, confidence was restored.
Harking back to the unprecedented agitation on the
passing of the Rowlatt Bill (March, 1919), followed by the
outbreak at Delhi, it must be noted that the situation
everywhere was soon one of extreme tension. The heads
GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR 287
of all local Governments were full of anxiety, for distur-
bances in various other provinces pointed to a common
organisation.
Every revolutionary eruption in India endeavours to
establish itself in the Punjab for the following reasons :
(a) It is the province which is the mainstay of the army.
(b) Its proximity to the frontier and Afghanistan assists
the movement in becoming much more dangerous, and
in developing more rapidly than elsewhere.
(c) The martial and excitable character of the people
lends itself more readily to the designs of the political
agitator.
The Punjab all along had been effectively dealing with
the situation in its midst. Sir Michael O'Dwyer realised
long before what was likely to occur. By advice and
exhortation he tried to bring home to both Hindu and
Mahomedan extremists the vast danger of the path they
were treading. At the same time, he encouraged all the
loyal elements (the vast majority and including the fighting
races who had done so splendidly in the War) to help in
maintaining peace and order.
Away from the towns these efforts were entirely success-
ful, but they failed with that section of the urban popula-
tion which had held back during the War and was directly
influenced by the extremist platform and the virulent
native Press. Even here, however, there were results, for
the disturbances were confined to certain towns and areas
adjoining them or along the railway influenced by such
towns.
It was only the prompt repression of the rebellion by
the Punjab Government, and its effects on the military
and political situation on the frontier and with Afghanistan,
which prevented much more serious outbreaks in other
provinces, and averted what might easily have become a
regular revolution. Indeed, it is an undoubted fact that
the measures taken prevented other serious risings, not
only within the province, but outside it. Moreover they
restored the internal situation before Government had to
meet the more serious crisis, namely, the Afghan War.
This came, as I have related elsewhere, early in May,
and was precipitated by the Amir's belief that the whole
Punjab was in a state of revolt against Government.
When I arrived in Lahore the Punjab was still smoulder-
288 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
ing under the supposition that the retribution enacted
at Amritsar for cold-blooded murder and arson, followed
by unlawful assemblage, was quite unmerited, and that
the questions of the Khilafat l and Turkish peace terms
were being treated by the British Government in such
a way as to insult the feelings of all Mahomedans. When
I say, " The Punjab was still smouldering," I should be
more correct in saying, " seditionists and evil disposed
people in the Punjab." The mass of the population knew
little about these matters, and cared less, until worked
up by the visits, speeches and propaganda of these
ubiquitous undesirables.
Here it is as well to relate, that undoubtedly fostered
by the machinations of these people, a new development
appeared, one which I had seldom seen a sign of before,
and one which gradually increased as the disinclination
of Government to take adequate action against such
political agitators was more and more evident.
What was in the mind of the authorities we never knew.
Lord Chelmsford told the House of Lords, when speaking
on Lord Sydenham's debate on 25th October last, that the
policy of the Government of India had been to let the
non-co-operation movement kill itself. Exactly what Lord
Sinha said in 1920, when Under Secretary of State for
India, and speaking of Gandhi's agitation.
To us on the spot, both then and later, when Gandhi's
policy of non-co-operation 2 progressed, it looked as if
they were gambling on the chance of excitement over the
elections to the new reform councils 3 absorbing all the
attention and activities of these demagogues, to the exclu-
sion of everything else. Be that as it may, the unbridled
licence allowed, both on the platform and in the native
press, to vilify Government and defame British rule made
things very unpleasant.
The Government's plan, if plan it was, was entirely
frustrated by the extremists boycotting the elections
altogether ! It may be permitted perhaps to enquire,
en passant, what will be the condition of affairs, if these
men elect to stand at the next elections, and are returned,
as they certainly may be ?
The development I refer to was racial hatred, quite
foreign indeed to the men of the Indian Army, and to the
1 See footnote 2, page 284. * See page 284. 3 See page 295.
GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR 289
humble ryot, 1 but very noticeable elsewhere. It arose
from the cunning appeals of the agitator to racial feeling,
which is perhaps the strongest sentiment in human nature.
Such reference undoubtedly caused a loss of respect for a,
so-called, ruling race, which he pictured as paralysed with
fear, and afraid to govern. He instanced, as proof, the
immunity of the leading members of this band of extremists
in their open defiance of all authority. It was a crafty
argument, and likely to bear weight even amongst much
more intellectual and intelligent audiences than those to
which it was presented in the Punjab.
People in England seem quite incapable of understand-
ing that the dumb millions of India were more than content
with the British Raj, and that it was only a proportion of
the ridiculously small majority of natives educated by us,
on Western lines, who were " agin the Government."
The " moderates," amongst those educated in this way,
are to have their chance, and from what I saw before leaving
India they are getting that chance. Moreover the way
they have, in some cases, taken it makes the future, with
certain provisos, more full of hope than pessimists would
have one believe. But I must paint the picture as I found
it in December, 1919, and January, 1920, after the gaieties
were over, and I was able to move about.
Taking the earliest opportunity of visiting Amritsar
before Christmas, I was a good deal struck by the sullen
demeanour of the inhabitants, and the distinct indication
of that racial hatred I have already referred to. As the
extremist congress was just about to assemble there for
a huge conference, this was not perhaps a matter of wonder.
However, with tactful handling of the situation by the
civil authorities, and firm action by the military in certain
cases of insubordination amongst various classes of followers,
there was much less evidence of this feeling later on. At
least I thought so, but casual visits, assisted only by reports
of junior officers, are not conducive to a very clear per-
spective.
As regards the Dyer case, I cannot commence better
than by quoting from a report I have been privileged to
read :
" Briefly the situation was this. On the I3th April,
1919, Amritsar, a city of 160,000 people (with a strong
1 Indian peasant of the rural population.
T
2go UNDER TEN VICEROYS
leaven of the lawless and desperate element), had been
in a state of open rebellion for four days (since the loth).
Five Europeans had been murdered. European ladies
had been savagely assaulted, and in one case left for dead
(Miss Sherwood). The church and other missionary build-
ings had been burnt. Two English banks, whose managers
had been murdered, had been looted. The railway goods
station had been set on fire. The railway passenger station
had been attacked and only saved by the timely arrival of
a troop train with Gurkhas.
" The Central Telegraph office in the city had been assaulted
and damaged, the European telegraph master being only
saved by the arrival of Indian troops. The railway stations
adjoining Amritsar had been wrecked and looted. A
goods train had also been looted. An attempt had been
made on the Calcutta mail proceeding to Lahore, but this
was repulsed by fire from the railway police guard. The
Town Hall had been set on fire, and various post offices
in the city plundered."
I am told the Civil Commissioner of the division was
specially sent down to Amritsar by the Lieutenant-Governor
on the loth April. Assured that the civil power could
do nothing, he made over charge of the situation to the
Officer Commanding troops, to re-establish, by military
power, the authority of Government. The next day
(nth April), Brigadier-General Dyer arrived at Amritsar
with reinforcements, and taking over command, issued
a proclamation on the I2th in all the main thoroughfares,
forbidding any public meetings, and warning the people
that such would be dispersed by force. He was an officer
of long and varied experience with a great knowledge of
the country also.
On the same day he issued a further proclamation and,
marching troops through the city, got control of the exits.
The city was still in a state of tumult and revolt, the atti-
tude of the mob on this day being so hostile that the
question of opening fire had to be seriously considered.
General Dyer, however, decided to issue a still further pro-
clamation first.
Meanwhile, emissaries from the rebels had taken an
active part in stirring up an outbreak at the adjoining
railway station of Kasur on the I2th. Here a furious
mob attempted to kill every European in the train, and
To face page 290 Photo : London Daily Mail Copyright
BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. E. H. DYER, C.B., INDIAN ARMY.
GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR 291
actually did murder two warrant officers. On the same
date they had also attacked the Government treasury of
Taran-Taran.
These facts were known to General Dyer when, soon
after issuing his final proclamation on the I3th, he dis-
covered that a large gathering had assembled at the
Jalianwala Bagh (Garden), in open defiance of his order, of
which few, if any, in the circumstances, could have been
ignorant.
It seemed to him, therefore, that there was no alternative
but dispersion by force, and on this afternoon of the I3th
April, he proceeded with an armoured car and ninety
Indian troops, all he could spare, to the Jalianwala Bagh
gathering for this purpose.
The meeting had been convened by the rebel who led
the attack on the National Bank on the loth, when the
two European employes were murdered. Before Dyer's
arrival it had been addressed by eight speakers, all of
whom had taken a leading part in the rebellion, and five
of whom were subsequently sentenced to transportation
for life. There can be no doubt, therefore, that the object
of the meeting was to stimulate sedition and rebellion,
as well as to defy the proclamations of the military
authorities.
As General Dyer was clearly dealing with a rebellion
the Lieutenant-Governor, that same day, sent a wireless
message to Simla (all other means of communication having
been cut) proposing the application of martial law to
Lahore and Amritsar. This was sanctioned the same
night, and proclaimed on the I5th April.
Now the approach to Jalianwala Bagh was by a small
alley too narrow for the armoured car, which was left in
the main city street, and not utilised. On arrival with
his men at the end of the alley, overlooking the garden,
General Dyer saw that an excited mob of some thousands
was being harangued by political agitators. He ordered
fire to be opened at once in order to disperse the hostile
gathering. The death-roll was 397. I have heard it said
that women and children were shot. This is incorrect,
for there were none there. Moreover, of the 397 killed,
300 were lawless and desperate characters belonging to
Amritsar city.
A visit to this Bagh and reflections on the incidents
292 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
that had occurred on the I3th April, and before, brought
home to me the very difficult situation in which General
Dyer was placed. It appeared to me to be his mission to
disperse that mob by force, and prevent further acts of
rebellion in Amritsar. His action not only effectively
stopped them there, but, as the news spread, in many
other places. I knew this to be a fact myself, months
afterwards, and in a locality so remote as Poona, near
Bombay.
Very high authority does not hesitate to affirm that
Dyer's action that day was the decisive factor in crushing
what was a very serious rebellion. Further, this same
authority is convinced that if he had not dispersed the
gathering by force, the rebellion would have assumed
such dimensions that its suppression would have involved
infinitely greater loss of life and suffering than was caused
at Amritsar on the I3th April, 1919.
There has been much controversy over General Dyer's
action that day, not only as to whether he used too much
force, but also as to whether he was justified in using
greater force than the actual situation required, in order
to create an impression elsewhere. I do not wish to revive
that controversy. The decision was against him, and it
is useless flogging a dead horse.
I understand the highest military authority in India
asked for an immediate Government enquiry. This was
not sanctioned ; but, later on, the Hunter Committee
was appointed from home, and began its enquiry seven
months after the events had happened, and when hostile
propaganda had made it most difficult to ascertain the
true facts. Meanwhile General Dyer was given a better
appointment on the frontier, and remained uncensured
during this period.
He was called as a witness before this court of enquiry
and cross-examined by the three expert Indian lawyers,
who had been appointed to the committee, much as if
he had been a criminal in the dock. Whether he was
offered legal assistance or not, I do not know. Anyhow
he had none, and, being a simple, frank soldier, suffered
badly in that examination, which was distinctly adverse
in tone. Asking me, just before he left India, what I
thought of his action on the I3th April, and of his evidence,
etc., I told him plainly, that I considered he was bound
'loja.L. pave 2V2
THE STREET IN AMRITSAR CITY, PUNJAB, WHERE Miss SHERWOOD WAS
LEFT FOR DEAD BY THE REBELS IN APRIL, 1919.
GENERAL DYER AND AMRITSAR 293
to get the worst of it ; not so much for what he had done,
but for what he had said.
As regards what he did, we have now before us the case
of two young officers in the Leinsters operating recently
with a platoon in the Moplah country. They are said
to have been cut to pieces and horribly mutilated because
they hesitated to fire, and therefore gave the rebels the
chance of rushing them. The inference is obvious, but
I have wished to tread in this delicate matter with all
caution, and it will be quite sufficient if I conclude by
giving my own feelings on the Dyer Case, which are shared
by the majority of my brother soldiers.
We feel, that whatever excesses or errors of judgment
it may be thought he committed, his actions effected the
immediate object in view, i.e. the suppression of the
rebellion at its very centre, and were primarily approved
by the highest authorities. This being so, no political
or other influences should have induced the same author-
ities, later on, to reverse their judgment and let him down.
True, the findings of the Hunter Commission were adverse,
and this was really the final verdict. True also is it, that
his own evidence before it was self-condemnatory. Yet,
it seems to us, that, the just line to have taken would
have been to clearly and emphatically disavow his acts
or rather his subsequent explanation of them where
necessary, while at the same time refusing to be a party
to his professional ruin. The reason being, as I say, that
his action had already been tacitly confirmed, and because
it was agreed, on all sides, that he had acted in good faith,
in a way which, to his lights, seemed absolutely necessary
and quite unavoidable.
On my visit to Amritsar in December, 1919, were still
standing, in the fort, the tents and other shelters in which
the British, Indian and American missionaries had been
accommodated when fleeing for their lives the April
before. Here and about the adjacent railway, a busy
day was spent settling the new scheme of defence to deal
with any future eventualities. Later on, I camped in
the public gardens a strong company of Gurkhas as an
addition to the ordinary garrison, which, except for
garrison gunners and a platoon of British infantry in the
fort, was located some distance away in cantonments, on
the farther side of the civil lines.
294 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
The Gurkhas enjoyed these gardens immensely and
were very happy there. The company belonged to a
battalion to which I had been adjutant, when it was raised,
some twenty years before, and it knew me well. The men
told me that on first arrival it had been unpleasant, and
almost dangerous, for less than a group of half a dozen
or so to walk into the city. If they did so, they were met
with scowling looks and an offensive remark about shoot-
ing down the speaker's brothers, an accusation which
was most unfair, as I believe no Gurkhas were employed
to fire on that I3th April, 1919. However, in a month or
two such is the fascination and attractiveness of the
Gurkha they could go in singly, and make what
purchases they liked without any disagreeable comment
whatever.
CHAPTER XXII
INDIAN UNREST AND " BIRDIE "
WE now come to the present time, i.e. the end
of 1921, when the Reform Act has
revolutionised the system of government
in India by placing the control in the hands
of a combination of Britishers and Indians, with the
Viceroy in chief command. As even members of the new
Government themselves would emphatically refuse to
express any opinion on the probable success of the scheme,
I am certainly not going to be so foolish as to pretend to
pronounce judgment.
It may suffice to say that the new councils, both imperial
and provincial, have, in some cases, begun fairly well,
and shown more moderation, statesmanship and sense
of responsibility than we expected. At the same time
it is a great experiment, not unfraught with danger, and
will require much firmness in the handling. More than
that, it will require far greater courage on the part of
Governors and the Viceroy than they have ever been
called upon to display before. With the eyes, in many
places sceptical eyes, of the whole world looking on, their
task is uncommonly difficult.
For the benefit of those who know nothing about India
and, I am afraid I must add, care less, let me try to make
myself a little clearer. Successful government in India
has always depended on the prestige of the British Raj
(Rule) being preserved. We do not yet know how this
transfer of authority to a combination will be viewed by
the masses, who have always looked upon the authority
of Government as paramount. The question is whether
they are sufficiently advanced, and the educated moderates
sagacious enough, to understand the change ; also whether
295
296 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
the latter are brave enough to have the courage of their
convictions.
Let me give an illustration. The new Viceroy (Lord
Reading) granted five interviews this last summer to
Gandhi, who is at present the one great outstanding
personality on his country's political stage, and whose
dangerous policy of " non-co-operation " I have already
alluded to. He had, until lately, the Ali brothers as
his most zealous supporters, but they have now been
tried, convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment
for attempting to seduce the Indian soldier from his allegi-
ance.
The interviews were of course given with the best inten-
tions, and perhaps we should not, at this distance, criticise.
But there have been occasions, before Lord Reading's
time, when the treatment of this misguided person has
been very weak, and has been misunderstood. No good
appears to have resulted from these meetings, therefore
the belief that Government (in the person of the Viceroy)
is paramount is in great danger of vanishing, while
the credit for supremacy will be transferred elsewhere.
Political agitators have already fastened on this by preach-
ing that Gandhi is superhuman, and most cleverly paint
a picture of his immunity from arrest, and his power over
the highest authorities.
Indeed their ingenuity does not end here. That is the
ingenuity of Gandhi and Co. His last, almost despairing,
promise to the people regarding Svaraj (Home Rule) was,
that he would attain it before the end of this year (1921).
As this promise is unlikely to be redeemed something
must be published to the dupes by way of explanation.
In some districts, I am credibly informed, the villagers
have been actually told that India is no longer in pos-
session of the British. The worst of it is the majority
believe it !
In one district, at least, a fable has been circulated
to captivate the villagers and to meet the case of those
who disbelieve the other fabrication that before Svaraj
can come a child, with only one eye, is to be born of a
virgin, and a colt, with one eye, foaled by a mare.
Delightfully vague of course as to when and where, but
very clever. Doubtless when Gandhi and Co. consider
the time is ripe, the child and colt will be duly born !
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 297
As a matter of fact these men, who direct sedition and
undermine the Government, are past masters in gulling
the Indian public. They know too well, not only how to
play on this most touching frailty of the masses (of being
so easily gulled), but also on the excitable and unformed
persuasions of the partially educated student.
The main object at present of these malcontents, inspired
by Gandhi, is to upset every attempt to introduce success-
ful reform leading to the government and administration
of India by any combination of British and Indian. In
spite of arrests to date (October, 1921) and in spite of the
fact that Gandhi's influence may be somewhat on the
wane, this intrigue will continue, unless the very firmest
steps are taken to stop it entirely.
Hence my meaning that courage and firmness are now
so essential. That is to say, prompt and resolute action
must be taken immediately events tend to show there
is some doubt as to whose authority is paramount. For
various reasons a loophole has sometimes been given.
There must be no loopholes and no sign of weakness.
Some people may think it is absurd to suppose that
even simple villagers in India could possibly credit such
tales as I have quoted. I can assure them it is so. My
" shikar " experiences alone have taught me the absolutely
incredible stories these peasants will believe. Indeed,
although it sounds ridiculous to say so, it is a fact, that
the more incredible, the more impossible and the vaguer
the fable, the more likely is it to be accepted as true. To
give only one instance a natural history one thousands
of forest villagers are convinced that a bird which sleeps
on his back, does so because he is a nervous bird and fears
the sky may fall on him !
During the war the natives in the United Provinces
District were taught, and firmly believed, that the Germans
had captured Calcutta and the German fleet had sailed
up the Ganges. Further, that they, the Germans, eventu-
ally were defeated by the civil police at Mirzapore (near
Benares) under the collector !
In one conspiracy against us, the Arya Samaj, two
points were often raised by agitators with much success,
and to which we always had much difficulty in giving
an effective reply. The natives entirely believed them
both. The first was that we have introduced plague to
298 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
reduce their numbers, as no European dies of plague,
while millions of poor native martyrs die every day of it.
If any of the audience express incredulity, the spouter
a trained as well as a born orator (as most natives are)
rounds on them at once :
" How many people died this cold weather of plague
in Narain Das' household ? " he demands.
" Seventeen," is the answer.
" O ho," says the speaker, " and how many left this
transitory world of the family of Baldeo ? "
" Twenty- three."
" So ho," he goes on, " in two houses in this tinpot
hamlet of yours, nearly half a hundred have been destroyed
by the ' demons ' (the word usually applied to Europeans
by these demagogues) in a few weeks, and you dare to
doubt me when I tell you that these ' demons ' introduced
this disease of which they never die to kill you off in
droves."
The second point made is that the " demons " kill
hundreds of thousands of lovely cows and calves every
day in every slaughter-house in India to give beef to them-
selves and their soldiers ; and that if they did not the
agriculturists' plough cattle would be half the price they
are!"
All very clever and most convincing to the audiences
to which addressed, because of the knowledge that plague
was amongst them, and that slaughter-houses for cattle
do exist in every cantonment where British troops are
quartered.
Prisoners on the North- West Frontier have often con-
fessed that they boldly advanced, without fear, because
their spiritual leaders had told them they (the priests)
had rendered our bullets futile, and the tribesmen them-
selves immune. When fighting the Bunerwals, those
intrepid warriors at first rushed headlong to death against
my quick-firing field-guns. The survivors explained,
with touching simplicity, how they had been assured by
their " mullas " that all our shells had been rendered
entirely innocuous.
Therefore the story of the one-eyed child and colt is
so clever, because it is just the tale to appeal to, and is
so admirably suited to the capacities of, the Indian
democracy !
To ace page 298 Photo : London Daily Mail Copyright
" MAHATMA" GANDHI, THE INSTIGATOR OF NON-CO-OPERATION.
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 299
A word about the personality of " Mahatma " l Gandhi,
as he is commonly called by his followers, who, from a
commander's point of view, is a very dangerous man.
He is himself supposed to be actuated by quite disin-
terested and honest motives, but he has now overstepped
all limits by openly tampering with the loyalty of the
Indian soldier, and openly inviting arrest. He and his
associates are stated to be at the bottom of the present
Moplah trouble, a rising which it will be difficult to sup-
press, even with the intervention of troops not only shooting,
but shooting hard. Yet as I write he is at large, and
even if now arrested he has collected his crore of rupees
(say 700,000) and perfected his organisation.
It should scarcely be necessary to say that there is no
duty so distasteful to the soldier as firing upon civilians.
But, when to this is added the fact that many of the
troops employed may, unavoidably, be fellow countrymen
of the rioters, it will be easily understood what grave
anxiety jthe activities of this fanatic causes to us soldiers.
Up to the date of writing, his policy of non-co-operation
has, in my opinion, made no headway at all in the Indian
Army. But one never knows what may happen in a
country where feelings are so easily excited, and where
any trivial action is often misconstrued so as to beget
doubt and mistrust. That is why it is evident Gandhi
is so dangerous a man, and his plan for non-co-operation
so dangerous a movement.
The influence he has gained over the masses is enormous,
both on account of the purity and asceticism of his personal
life, and the conviction abroad of his honesty of purpose
and devotion to what he considers duty. Again, his appeal
to the glories of an imaginary past, before India came
under foreign influences, flatters the vanity of the crowd
and stimulates hatred of the foreigner. Personally I have
never believed in his honesty of purpose. He is certainly
no self-seeker, nor does he wish for comfort, luxuries or
wealth, but when his " non-co-operation without violence "
has utterly failed, he may stick at nothing.
Another cloud in the political sky is the position of
the Native States under the new reforms. These rulers
are getting nervous, foreseeing, as they do, that the
1 Lit. great souled : also possessing preternatural powers and
versed in occult mysteries.
300 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
extremists will continue their efforts to stir up trouble
by instigating the populations of Native States to press
for a greater share in the conduct of their own affairs
than, in such different circumstances, it is possible to
allow them. These rulers will require more help and
backing than it has heretofore been the custom to give
them.
Then we come to Afghanistan and its Amir. Without
going into details, I may explain that a mission has been
in Kabul since January, 1921, in the hopes of putting through
some kind of treaty or agreement between the British
and Afghan Governments. The Amir formed a treaty
with the Soviet Government in March, whereby, in return
for their support and additional territory, he is to establish
Soviet Consulate posts in his country. He was also in
league with the Kemalists, with the result that Turkish
instructors were to be lent to train the Afghan army.
Further comment on this is needless.
Besides the reasonable request, with limitations, that
any treaty should recognise the right of Afghanistan
to maintain direct relations with other countries it is
common knowledge (as reported by The Daily Telegraph
correspondent's cable from India on yth June, 1921) that
the Amir's demands include : a free Afghan port at or
near Karachi, importation and exportation of arms into
and out of Afghanistan without let or hindrance, free
intercourse by Afghanistan of every kind with the frontier
tribes, and the establishment of so-called " Consulates "
of Soviet Russia at Ghazni, Jelalabad and Kandahar,
all close to our borders. Demands * so preposterous,
1 Since writing this (October, 1921) a notification has been issued by
the India Office, dated 23rd November, 1921 , that a treaty of friendship
with Afghanistan was signed in Kabul the day before, as satis-
factory written assurances had been given that no Soviet Consulates
will be permitted in these three areas.
Under the treaty, which, though subject to ratification, is
immediately operative
(1) Great Britain reaffirms her recognition of Afghanistan's
complete independence, and there is to be an interchange of Ministers
in London and Kabul and of Consuls in India and Afghanistan.
(2) Afghanistan reaffirms her acceptance of the existing Anglo -
Afghan frontier, with a slight re-alinement of boundary demarcated
by the British Commission in the autumn of 1919.
(3) Misunderstanding between the two Governments over the
tribes on either side of the border having been removed, each
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 301
that if the Mission remains in Kabul until they are con-
ceded, Sir Henry Dobbs may resign himself to a sojourn
there until he becomes superannuated.
From all I have said it is easy to understand the dangers
and difficulties civilians and soldiers alike have had re-
cently to face in India, but it is my last intention that
too pessimistic a view of the situation should be taken.
The Reforms have been launched, and they must be
persevered with. In this connection it is interesting to
note that, some thirty years ago, in the account of his
father's life, Sir Auckland Colvin wrote :
" The art of British government in India has hitherto
been not to destroy but to correct Eastern methods of
administration by applying to them the discipline of the
Western mind. Now it is the undisciplined Eastern mind
which is to introduce into India Western methods of admin-
istration. The experiment will prove of interest and,
it is earnestly hoped, of value. But the lesson of 1857
must not be forgotten. Whatever may be hazarded with
the educated minority, the real India is to be found only in
the masses of her ignorant millions. To govern this real
India authority and justice should be in full view, but in
reserve must be ample force. These are the only methods
which under their own rulers the masses of that country
have ever respected ; nor even at the desire of the British
Government will they readily adopt any other." Life of
John Russell Colvin.
It can hardly yet be too late for the Government of India
to show clearly that they mean their authority to be para-
mount. With a firm rule the mental disorder of unrest,
already referred to as being by no means common to
India, will surely work itself out and pass away. What
Government engages to apprise the other beforehand of any major
operation it may find necessary to institute for the maintenance
of order near the frontier.
(4) Subject to the continuance of friendliness and the provisions
of any general Arms Traffic Convention that may hereafter come
into force, the privilege formerly enjoyed by the Afghan Govern-
ment of importing munitions of war through India is restored,
and the Customs duty is remitted, under the usual conditions in
regard to goods in transit, on goods that pass through India from
ports into Afghanistan.
(5) Provision is made in the treaty for the conclusion of separate
trade and postal conventions.
302 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
is needed is sympathy between all classes and all races,
combined with the very strictest adherence to the principle
that the maintenance of law and order must at all times
be upheld.
There are already some hopeful signs, such as service-
able beginnings made by the new councils under the
Reforms Act ; the arrest and imprisonment of the AH
brothers ; the decision of the Viceroy to agree to no further
reduction of British troops ; and the acceptance, for the
welfare of the army in India, of so many of the recom-
mendations of the Esher Committee.
This last is an enormous gain, for India must have a
contented soldiery at all costs. We soldiers look upon
that report as the most human and far-reaching document
that has seen the light for many a long day. To mention
only one item, the generous enhancement of the Indian
soldier's family pension, which the Committee so strongly
advocated, has caused the utmost satisfaction already.
In short, although some of the clauses of the report will
have to remain a dead letter until the present financial
stringency is relaxed, still, its revelations have opened
the eyes of British and Indian alike to the real needs
of the officer, the married soldier, and the men generally,
in an up-to-date army of the present day.
In case the opinion of an old soldier may be of any
interest, let me say at once that I am not one of those
who are despondent regarding the future of the Indian
Civil Service, or the British officers of the Indian Army.
Nor shall I, it is my fervent hope, ever join the present
multitude who are continually inveighing against the entry
of our boys into either service.
As regards the first (Indian Civil Service) let us trust
that our lads are still made of the same good stuff to
enable them, as of old, to rise to every occasion, and remain
leaders, even in the role of guide, philosopher and friend.
Things may not be quite the same, especially socially.
They might even be most distasteful to those of us
who have lived in India under different conditions. To
assert, however, that there is now no career in these
services, no good and useful work to be done, no oppor-
tunity to come to the front, are fallacies I can never be a
party to.
It seems to me, that under the new reforms, whereby
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 303
the Indian becomes a partner of the Britisher, there is
more opportunity for the man of character than ever
before. When once the situation is fully understood,
I shall be vastly surprised if the mere fact of being
continually on his mettle does not develop the young
Indian Civil officer even more than the glorious tradi-
tions of his service have proved to be the case in days
gone by.
As for the young British officers of the Indian Army,
much the same equally applies. I have talked to many.
Few have any original ideas on the subject, only opinions
picked up from their seniors. Those who had taken up
sport, as a relaxation from their duties, had to confess
there was no reason why, in this respect, there should
be any diminution. India is, and will still remain, the
happy hunting ground of the true sportsman, and those
who have not been fortunate enough to gain this grand
experience are lucky if they are unable to realise how
much they have missed.
Some young officers, influenced by idle talk, dilated
on the disadvantageous emoluments in India compared
with the new pay and allowances of their confreres at
home. This has been touched on by the Esher Com-
mittee, suitable recommendations have been made, and
many concessions already granted or are in process of con-
summation.
I would like to add one piece of advice, namely, not
to heed vituperative letters in the press, nor the ill-advised
vapourings of idle, discontented grumblers. Let young
officers weigh for themselves, without prejudice, the many
advantages of an Indian career. Further, may I tell
them, with the experience of over thirty-seven years'
service behind me, that, personally, I have always found
the India Office and the Indian Government both fair
and honourable in dealings with their servants.
The only other matter of importance, also referred to
by the Esher Committee, brought forward by young
officers, was their position in the future, with so many
commissions given, and to be given, to Indians. It may
comfort them somewhat to consider attentively the
fact that the ordeals of Sandhurst and its examinations,
professional examinations later on, confidential reports,
and the amount of time and study to be devoted to his
304 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
duties by the officer of the present day, will most certainly
eliminate all those Indians but the very best. With
these it should be nothing but a pleasure to serve. More-
over, with the Indian Territorial force an accomplished
fact, employment is available for those commissioned
Indians considered unsuitable to officer units of the regular
army.
With the exception of shooting experiences l which
will be the easiest of all to write my reminiscences are
now drawing to a close. They read to me more like the
memoirs of other people, so much am I indebted to events
in the lives of my friends for interesting and unusual
incidents. I feel I cannot conclude, more fitly and more
happily, than by a reference to the Indian Army, to which
I owe everything, and whose members I love so well. (By
the " Indian Army " I refer of course to Indian units,
as opposed to the " Army in India," which comprises
both British and Indian.)
Now the backbone of the Indian Army is the Indian
officer, than whom no finer class of man exists. He is our
great asset and, treated with sympathy, justice, liberality
and respect, as I feel is now the case, it is difficult to
imagine how things can possibly go wrong. In every
good regiment, battery and battalion he wields an enormous
influence, and is the link between the British officer and
the Indian ranks. The senior one, the risaldar-major
of cavalry, or the subadar-major of infantry, in a good
corps, has his finger on the pulse of the whole unit, knows
and reports every happening in the regimental lines and
every feeling that exists amongst all ranks. So loyal,
upright and straightforward have our Indian officers
proved themselves, as a rule, that it is interesting to relate
an episode which occurred to my knowledge in the early
part of 1915, when the mutinous Ghadr 2 party were so
active.
The Criminal Investigation Department having re-
ceived information of the place and time of a secret
meeting of Ghadr leaders, deputed one of their most trusted
Indian subordinates to endeavour to hear what they
had to say. With infinite bravery and resource, this
1 These are too lengthy to appear in this volume, and my pub-
lisher has decreed that they shall have a separate identity.
* See page 283.
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 305
man concealed himself below the flooring of the room
where the conspirators were to meet, well knowing, besides
suffering extreme discomfort for hours, that his discovery
meant instant death,.
In addition to other useful knowledge gained, he heard
a resolution, passed unanimously, to discontinue any
further attempt to tamper with the Indian officer. This
was stated by the rebels to be not only useless and a
waste of time, but very injurious to their own cause,
owing to the probability of the matter being immediately
reported.
To one devoted to military training, like myself, it
was a great privilege, both as a commander and as an
inspector, to move amongst, and have intercourse with,
the grand soldiers of our Indian Army. Their keenness,
their desire to please, as well as their anxiety to excel,
is prodigious, and makes service with them a veritable
delight. Well trained, well led and well treated, they
are very hard to beat, as we have proved on many a
field. To look on them as super-men is ridiculous and
extremely hard on the soldiers themselves. For this
reason my readers can imagine our disgust at the fulsome
flattery and absurd eulogy poured out regarding them,
in the Press, in September, 1914, on their first arrival in
France.
For some time during the War I had under me no less
than eight depots, or units, of the old " Punjab Frontier
Force." * It was such a real pleasure inspecting them,
that it was difficult to keep away. Taking them, however,
exactly as they were, that is seeing them at their ordinary
work, I knew that they liked my visits, just as much as
I myself did the time spent over them. To see their
faces lighten up at a word of praise, to hear their mirth-
ful laughter at a well-timed joke, to note their appreciation
of a useful bit of training advice, and to converse and
chaff with their manly Indian officers, all are joyous
memories I shall carry with me to the grave.
Knowing the Indian Army as I do, I can only view
with great apprehension shared by many of my con-
temporaries the recent reduction in the cavalry by
eighteen regiments. It is easy to disband, but it is not
so easy to build up again. Putting aside the extinction
1 Commonly called " Piffers."
U
3 o6 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
of honoured names, glorious tradition and esprit de corps,
India and the countries adjoining it are so eminently
suited to the employment of mounted men. Again, the
Indian cavalry soldier combines the role of mounted
infantryman, par excellence, with his activity, endurance
and good shooting. Extremely mobile infantry is not to
be despised.
There is also another aspect to the case, that is, whether
the moment for disbandment is well chosen ? All reduc-
tions must fill the villages with discontented men, and
reductions in the cavalry hit a class whose loyalty and
goodwill are specially valuable assets at the present
moment. A class whose forbears have been cavalrymen
and whose sons look forward to joining a risdla (regiment
of Indian cavalry).
In these days anything which causes discontent amongst
that small percentage of the millions of India who
furnish the army with soldiers must be a dangerous
move. Without a loyal and contented army with a
loyal and contented people to recruit it from all govern-
ment is very difficult in a country like India.
The reason for this reduction is, of course, financial.
With only a limited sum available for the army one under-
stands it must be spent on what the authorities consider
essential. What is desirable goes to the wall. It is
devoutly to be hoped that the great value of this cavalry
has been duly weighed, and that a great mistake has not
been committed.
No reference to the Indian Army would be complete
without an allusion to its brightest ornament, its finest
soldier and its most senior serving general. I mean, of
course, Sir William Birdwood, so often referred to in these
pages, and affectionately known as "Birdie " of the Indian
Army, though also " Birdie " of the Anzacs.
I have known him for a great number of years, soon
after the time when as a very smart young officer of the
nth Bengal Lancers he was the best man-at-arms at a
big assemblage in Calcutta. I think our first meeting
was when he was commandant of the Viceroy's bodyguard
at Dehra Dun, where he was as good an administrator
and farmer of the bodyguard acres as he proved himself
a valuable staff officer and matchless leader in the days
to come.
To face page 306 Photo : Ellirt and Fry, Ltd.
GENERAL SIR WTLLIAM BIRDWOOD, BT., G.C.M.G., K.C.B., K.C.S.I., C.I.E., D.S.O.
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 307
He is a man of many parts, and has never failed, while
his experiences have been unique. What knowledge
must be possessed by, and what secrets must lie buried
in, the bosom of one who, besides holding many appoint-
ments in the field, was for over seven consecutive years
closely connected with Lord Kitchener, mainly as his
military secretary; then for three years a brigade com-
mander, followed by Q.M.G. ; and finishing, before the
War, as secretary to the Government of India in the Army
Department.
It was as a military secretary that his kindly, helpful
nature first became manifest to the enormous number
of officers with whom he had to deal. He was always
ready to do a good turn to a competent man, always
thinking of the welfare of the Indian Army, and always
most jealous of its reputation and good name. Wishing
to know where the shoe pinched, and what officers
really felt, he never discouraged letters, and his daily corre-
spondence must have been immense. Yet he was never
known to leave a letter unanswered, however trivial the
subject.
His value to Lord Kitchener was very great, for
not only was he impervious to fatigue and possessed of
unbounded tact, but he had a very wide inside knowledge
of India and India's soldiers. Moreover, if he did not
know a thing he would go and ask the best man who did,
and everyone was always ready to help " Birdie."
As a brigade commander he was also a great success.
With his usual energy he soon learnt all there was to know,
which his troops were not slow to discover. His firmness,
justice and sympathy endeared him to all ranks, and
when he left Kohat to become Q.M.G. the ovation he
received at the railway station was quite unprecedented.
But what pleased him most, I think, was the fact that,
when touring in later years, crowds of Indian officers
trooped to his saloon (when his train stopped at various
cantonments for a few hours), because they wanted to see,
and shake hands with the beloved general they had known
at Kohat.
Sir William Birdwood's name is best known to the
public as the successful commander of the Australian
New Zealand Army Corps (A.N.Z.A.C.), first in Gallipoli
and then in France. Everyone has heard of " Birdie's "
3 o8 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
fame and popularity, and many know how Ian Hamilton
in his picturesque despatches so truly called him "the
soul of Anzac."
I have before me a letter from one of Sir William's
divisional commanders, 1 extracts from which I cannot
resist quoting :
" It was the luck of my career to accompany General
Bird wood from India to Egypt to join the Australians,
in November, 1914. From that time till July, 1918, when
I left the Australians, I had daily experience of his kindness
and consideration. During the whole of that time I may
truthfully say I never saw him lose his temper and never
heard an acrimonious expression, while his capability
of keeping in touch with everything that was going on
was prodigious. His eye missed nothing, and no good
deed passed his notice. All ranks knew this, and no
commander was ever more adored than was " Birdie "
by the Australians. His energy was unbounded, and
he had the knack of remembering everybody.
" He was early ashore at Anzac on the memorable 25th
April, and though we had experienced a trying time, with
many casualties, ' Birdie ' was unperturbed, and inspired
confidence on all sides. It was a debatable matter whether
we could hold on at Anzac, but the decision to dig in was
made, and, after some four or five days' strenuous fighting,
we established ourselves on the line which we held up to
the evacuation.
" From the date of landing ' Birdie ' commenced to
make the acquaintance of nearly every individual man
in the Australian and New Zealand forces. His average
daily tour of the trenches was eight hours. Armed only
with a periscope, he moved along, speaking and talking
to this man and that, varying the programme by periodical
inspections of the Turkish trenches.
" In one of these he had a narrow escape, a sniper's
bullet ploughing the parting of his hair ; a fraction lower,
and the wound would have been fatal.
" He was generally to be seen bathing off the beach
in spite of ' Beachy Bill/ a Turkish gun, which took daily
toll of those whose duty (or pleasure) took them to the
beach.
" The necessity to evacuate Gallipoli must have caused
1 Major-General Sir H. B. Walker, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O.
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 309
him great pain, where so many Australians had fallen.
He left many intimate friends and admirers behind there,
and it is no exaggeration to say that many of the deeds
of valour performed were inspired by the personality of
' Birdie.'
" In France he showed the same fearless energy. Eight
hours in the trenches, and then office work, was his daily
routine. He knew his trenches as well as any divisional
or brigade commander, and always had a kind word for
those who manned them, thus leaving behind him a much
more cheerful frame of mind.
" Divisional commanders actually used to look forward
to being sent for to Corps Head-quarters for conferences,
etc. There one always found praise for good work and
encouragement to again rise to the occasion."
A mighty tribute indeed from a distinguished officer
who served directly under Sir William for nearly four
most strenuous years. Later on, when commanding the
Fifth Army in France, one heard very much the same
tale regarding Birdie's wisdom and popularity.
Mentioning the word tale reminds me that there are
many stories about Birdie and his Anzacs. So numerous
indeed that, during his recent triumphant tour in Aus-
tralia, The Sydney Mail offered a prize for the best one
produced. The response was enormous, but unfortunately
the subject of these efforts had to acknowledge, later,
that he could only recognise an infinitesimal number of
them all.
I have never been able to get quite right the one with
a play on his name, but it was something like this :
Birdie was starting off one day for his usual tour in the
trenches, with his helmet in one hand, periscope in the
other, and his hair cut with clippers very close to his head.
One of his staff, noticing that a certain sentry did not
salute or stand to attention as the corps commander
passed, fell behind to ask the reason. The man replied
that he didn't know who it was. The staff officer, walking
away, heard the sentry say sotto voce to himself : " How
can I tell, with his head like that ; why doesn't he wear
feathers like any other bird would ! "
That periscope was in constant use. " Birdie " was
once telling a friend about a " look peep " he was taking
from what seemed a very quiet corner. Though he did
310 UNDER TEN VICEROYS
not know it, the spot was a favourite mark for the enemy's
snipers, and many casualties had lately occurred there.
A sentry, close at hand, spotting a sniper's rifle, and
being nervous at the imminent danger to his general, called
out in his excitement :
" Duck your b . . . . y head, Birdie." " Great Scott," said
the friend, "that was a ' let off/ and what did you do ? "
Looking at him, Birdie replied, very quietly : "I ducked
my b . . . . y head ! "
A very amusing tale is one regarding one Australian
officer who happened to know the King fairly well, and
had been granted an interview at Buckingham Palace.
The King said to him : " You really must not allow
General Birdwood to continue these daily visits of his to
the front-line trenches." Thinking for awhile, this officer
said : " Look here, sir, it can't be done " ; adding after
a pause : " unless your Majesty will give me a collar and
chain, and the requisite authority to chain him up. There
is no other way of doing it ! "
General Birdwood 's welcome in Australia was extra-
ordinary ; quite embarrassingly so, especially when every
old comrade wished to be personally recognised. " Don't
you remember the last time you saw me ? " said one man.
The general expressing regret, he retorted : " Well, you
ought to, because you were going through the trenches at
Lone Pine one night, and put your foot in the middle of my
stomach. ' ' Contact (!) with Australians having taught Birdie
great power of repartee, he answered at once : " Well,
the incident evidently made a much deeper impression on
you than it did on me ! " That sort of good-humoured
" give and take " was what the Australians loved so.
One day in the West Australian goldfields, an old com-
rade jumped on to the step of his car and said in a very
confidential manner : "I tell you what, Mr. Birdwood,
don't you go for to write a book like some of those other
fellows are doing." Appalling visions of ! ! ! flashed
across Birdie. He told the man it was as good a piece
of advice as he had ever given, but he needn't bother
about it, as though the possession of a small Australian
grandson might grade him as an old man, yet he hoped
he had not quite reached the period of " anecdotage " !
Such is " Birdie " of the Anzacs, now once again in
situ as " Birdie " of the Indian Army. Is it any wonder
INDIAN UNREST AND "BIRDIE" 311
we are proud of him, and proud to think of all he has done
to uphold our good name ?
At the present moment he is General Officer Command-
ing in Chief of the Northern Command, perhaps the most
responsible post in India. Before I left the country,
besides other inspections, he had already visited every
single Indian unit under his command, diffusing con-
tentment, satisfaction and good feeling wherever he
appeared.
As I have said before, he possesses in a marked degree
that wonderful gift of sympathy, and that magnetic person-
ality, so like Lord Roberts, which at the present time in
India is worth untold gold.
THE END
INDEX
Abbottabad, 159, 167, 168, 256,
260
Brigade, 216-7, 236
Ceremonial Parade at, 58
Mountain Warfare School, 256,
260, 265-6
Abdur Rahman, 60, 61, 252
and Grand Review at Rawal-
pindi, 60, 6 1
and Lord DufEerin, 60
Afghanistan, Amir of (Abdur
Rahman), 60-1, 252
(Amanullah), 252
(Habibullah and Kitchener),
154-5
Afghan War (2nd), Incidents in,
32, 179-80
(3rd), 243, 249-53, 267, 287
Bannu Brigade, 247, 249
Fort Baldak, 250, 251-2, 253
Kabul Mission and Treaty,
300-1
Sardar Abd-ul-Quds, 252
Waziristan, 245
Militia, 243, 247, 249
Ailsa, Lady, 84
Aldershot, ist Dorsets at, 31
Review by Duke of Cambridge
at, 34
Almora, 80-1, 181
Kitchener at, 133-5, J 35~6
Queen Alexandra's Own, 115
Ambala, March to, 39, 40, 41-3
Ambela Campaign, 220
Amritsar, 261, 282-4, 289-91,
293-4
Open rebellion at, 284, 290
Anderson, Gen. Sir C., 246
Armstrong, Lt.-Col., 262
Arthur, Sir George, Life of Lord
Kitchener, 115
Arya Samaj, 297
Asquith, Mr., and Kitchener, 209
Aylmer, Gen. Sir F. J., 162
Bahadur, Sir Jung, 161
Baluchistan Force, 249
Bannu Brigade, 247, 249
Baring, 112
Barrow, Sir Edmund, 114, 205-7
Basil Mission, 212
Beatty, F. M., 119, 120
Bedford, Duchess of (Miss Tribe),
and jackals, 76
Bennett, Mr. Hugh, 127
Rev. J., and Kitchener, 127
Beresford, Lord William, 45, 46,
50, 51, 88
Besant, Mrs., 283
Beynon, Gen. Sir W., 227, 236,246
Bhim Sen Thapa, 161
Bird, Lt.-Col. W. D., 122
Birdwood, Gen. Sir William, 72-
3, 117, 142, 151, 306-11
and Anzacs, 307-9
in Australia, 310
and sniper, 310
his sympathy, 311
Birkett, J., 19
Bishop, Barry, 74, 85-7
Blackwood, Lady Helen, 52
Blood, Sir Bindon, 98-9, 100-3,
104
on Gladstone and Beaconsfield,
101
Boileau, Lt.-Col. Ridley, 122
Bond, C.R.A., 66, 68-9, 79
Brassey, Lady, and Kitchener,
137
Brodrick, St. John, 113
Brooking, Gen. Sir Harry, 249
Browne, Brig. -Gen. A. G. F.,
140
Sir Sam, 32
313
314
UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Bruce, Brig.-Gen. the Hon., and
Gurkhas, 160, 172, 173,
179, 180
Bruckman, Lt. R. T., 268
Brunker, Major, 67, 69, 79
Buckle, Lt.-Col. (of W. Kents),
203-4
Bulkely, Rivers, 18
Bunerwal Campaign, 217-25,
298
Heat stroke, 223
Bushman, Sir Henry, 44
Callan, Mr., 200-1
Cambridge, Duke of, 103
Aldershot Review, 34
at Malta, 33
Inspection at Wimbledon, 33-
4
Campbell, Mrs. Colin, 99
Sir Frederick, 216, 221, 224,
231-2
Capper, Maj.-Gen. T., 120-26
on commissions to native offi-
cers, 123
on industrial unrest, 124
on political crisis between
France and Germany, 124
Sir J. E., 67
William, 133
Carmichael, Lord, 202
Casson, Lt.-Col. W. F. S., 279
Cecil, Lord Edward, 209
Chaman, 249-50
Chamberlain, Neville, 72
Chance, Capt., 259
Channer, Gen., and Gurkha
sentry, 91
Cheape, Leslie, 196
Chelmsford, Lord, 231-2, 288
Lady, 231, 232
Cheshire Militia, 16, 29
Cheshires (2nd), joined at Pesha-
war, 32, 40
Chisholm, " Jabber," 45-7
Chitral Campaign, 90
Cholmondeley, Tom, 19, 29
Christian, Brig.-Gen. G., 236
Churchill, Winston, 99-101
Clements, Gen., and " K.'s "
appointment to Gurkhas,
117
Clifton, Major, 231
Collett, Col., 57
Collins, Maj.-Gen. Stratford, 133
Colvin, Sir Auckland, 83, 301
in camp, 84-5
Bassett, 84
Connaught, Duke of (and
Duchess), no, 112
Cookson, Gen., 206
Corbet, Reginald, 17, 1 8
Cornwallis, Mabel, 107
" At Home," 106
Cornwallis West, Mrs., 18
Coronation Durbar (George V),
189
Court, Willie, 19
Crauford, Brig.-Gen., 209
Creagh, Gen. Sir O'Moore, 175
Crewe, Lord, at Durbar, 195
Curzon, Lady, 99
Lord, 129
Camp in Garhwal Hills, 112-
3
Curzon-Kitchener contro-
versy, 114
Durbar, 110-2
his North-West Frontier
policy, 244-5
his resignation, 114, 150
Dacca, 200, 201
Military diversions at, 201-2
Dalbiac, Major, 54
Dalhousie, Lord, 81
Davies, Newnham, 115
Davis, Col. C., 68
Mr. J. S. C., 112-3
Dehra Dun, 94-5, 136, 159, 168,
215
Delhi Brigade, 214, 262, 264
Demobilisation of Indian units,
248
of British troops, 272
their discontent, 272-3
an ultimatum, 273
Dera Ismail Khan, 243, 247
Derajat Independent Brigade,
242-3, 249
Hot weather headquarters of,
247-8
Dillon, Gen., 67
Donald, Sir John, 243
INDEX
315
Dongola, S.S., 207, 210
Drake, Col. H. D., 122
Duff, Col. Sir Beauchamp, 133,
139, 150-1, 212, 216, 224
and Kitchener, 150-1
Dufferin, Lady, 51-2
and " The Begum," 52
Lord, 50-2, 58, 64
and Amir of Afghanistan,
60, 61
at Rawalpindi Review, 58-60
Durbar, 1903, no, 112, 136
1911 (King George V Coron-
ation), 189-96
Ceremony, 192-3
Cholera in camp, 196-7
Fire in camp, 194-5
Homage at the fort, 193-4
Visitors' camps, 189-90
Dyer, Gen. R. E. H., 236, 282-
86, 290
Dyson, Miss Ada, 84
Eardley-Wilmot, Col. Revel, 63
Earthquake in India, 137
Egerton-Warburton, Rowland
E., 19
Elephants swimming, 43
Elgin, Lord, 98
Enemy subjects, internment of,
211, 212
Erskine, Col., 84
Esher Committee, 278, 301, 302-4
Evatt, Brig.-Gen. J. T., 86
Faithful, Capt., 106
FitzGerald, 93, 129, 147, 151, 207
his influence with " K.," 151
" Flying sentries," 213
Football, 17
and Gurkhas, 87, 183
Gandhi, 283-4, 288, 296-7, 299
and Home Rule, 296
Interviews with Viceroy, 296
and Moplahs, 299
Outbreak at Delhi, 284
Passive resistance movement,
283-4
his policy, 288, 299
Racial hatred, 288
Gannon, Maj. J. C. R., 118
Garhwalis, 86, 88
and Gurkhas, 85
Lord Roberts' opinion of, 86
Gartside-Tipping, 66, 67
Gaselee, Gen. Sir A., 148
Lady, and " K.," 149
Ghadr Party, 213, 283, 304
Gillespie, Gen., 160
Gosling, Col. G., 269
Gough, Maj. -Gen. Sir Hugh,
V.C., 67, 70, 78
Greaves, Sir George, 93-6
Greece, Prince George of, 208
Green, Col., and bagmen, 76
Grey, Sir Edward, 204
Gurkhas, 79-87, 95, 159, 171-88
Ancient customs, 163
Annual festival, Dasehra, 186
at Almora, 80
at Amritsar, 293-4
at Dharmsala, 79-80
Attachment to officers, 184
Chief's Cup, 133-4
Football and, 87, 183
Garhwalis and, 85-6
Height of British officers with,
175
Highlanders and, 179
Kalinga Fort, 160
Khud racing, 171-3
King of (Prithwi Narain) and
Nepal, 158
New battalions raised, 88, 116,
159, 185
Pani pathya, 165
Popularity of, 178-9
Prisoners of war, 180
Sense of duty, 163
Temperament of, 177
" The Little Man," 135, 171
i /3rd, 88
4th, at Rawalpindi (1884-5),
62
7th, date of raising, 116, 162
Hamilton, Hubert, 133, 138, 141,
147
Ian, 80, 308
Vereker, 180
Mrs. W. G., 70
Hamlet, Mr., of Winsford, 17
Hardinge, Lord, 130, 194, 215
3*6
UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Harris, Col., 80
Hastings, Lord, and Nepal, 159
Haswell, Col. J. F., 268
Hay, Col., 62
Hayes, Horace, 51
Henry, Col., 102
Hepper, Sir Lawless, 237
Hewett, Sir John, 189, 192, 194
Higson, Will, 19
Hill, Maj.-Gen. William, 89, 92-
6, 112, 127, 176
and Gurkhas, 176-7
and Volunteers, 97-8
Illness and death, 98
Hoare, Reggie, 100
Hornby, " Monkey," 19, 29-30
Horse racing, 45, 46-7
Hudson, Paddy, 55
Hume, Charlie, 66
Hunter Committee, 292
Hunting in Cheshire, 17-9
at Delhi, 56
Empress of Austria, 18
" green collars," 19
and jackals, 68, 76-7
at Lahore, 279-80
Peshawar Vale Hunt, 67-8
at Peshawar, 75, 77
at Poona, 275
at Quetta, 118
and Sir Hugh Gough, 78
Tarporley Hunt, 18-9
Hutchinson, Maj. H. D., 80, 88,
90, 91-2, 184
Ilbert, Sir Courtney, 49
Ilbert Bill, The, 49-50
India in early 1916, 225
Indian Army, Future of, 303
Native Officers, 304
Reductions in Cavalry of,
305-6
Civil Service, Future of, 302
Staff College established, 120
Staff Corps, Application for,
53.57
Irvine, Lt.-Col., M.F.H., 68
Jhansi Brigade, 240
Johnson, Col. Frank, 45, 47, 263
Jones, John, 19
Ma.j., and Lord Roberts, 72
Rhys, 30
Khilafat movement, 284-5, 2 8
Emigration scheme, 284-5
Kennedy-Crauf urd-Stuart , Maj . ,
286
Keyser, Lt.-Col. F. C., 36
Khud racing (Gurkhas), 171
King-Harman, Col., 74
Kinloch, 66
Kitchener, Lord, 45, 88, 106-57,
307
appointed Colonel of 7th
Gurkhas, 117
arrival in India, 127
at Almora, 133-6
and Mr. Asquith, 209
and his personal staff, 151
at Meerut Rifle Meeting, 93,
149
at Quetta, 116
behaviour to ladies, 137
a " big man," 150-1
and Bird wood, 307
and cholera cases, 140
Curzon-Kitchener contro-
versy, 114
Durbar (1903), no, 128, 136
his chivalry, 154
his early life, 127
his 1909 farewell speech, 153
his hobbies, 153
his humour, 137-8, 153
his introduction to Gurkhas,
175-6
his journey to Naini Tal,
148-9
his opinion of Nepal, 185
his peculiarities, 153-4
his powers of persuasion, 154
his re-organisation of army
in India, 129
his schemes, 130-1, 141-4
Indian Army, pay regula-
tions, 141-4
Quetta Staff College, 142
Secretary of State for War,
209
Views on esprit de corps in
army, 143
Views on the German men-
ace, 139
Views on localised units,
138
INDEX
Kitchener, Lord (contd.}
Views on the Russian bogey,
139
Visit to Quetta, 116
" Kitchener Test," the, 133,
214, 264
General Walter, his malaria
campaign, 280-1
Lahore, Bishop of, 62
Cantonments, 280-1
Command, 274, 279
Serai, 44
Landour, 94-5
Lang, Lt.-Col. E. M., 271
Lansdowne, 89
Lord, 88
Lefroy, Bishop, 62
" Leg-pulling," 68-70, 73-4, 79
Leigh, Mosley, 19
Leiter, Mrs., no
Littledale, Bo., 19
Lloyd, Sir George, 274
Lady, 274
Locke-Elliott, Gen., 128
Lockhart, Sir W., 108
at Meerut Rifle Meeting, 93
Lomax, Lt.-Col., 100
Long, Miss, 103
" Long P.," 44
Lotteries, Indian, 45, 55
Lovett, and The Malabar, 36
Lucas, 173
Lucknow, 210
Bishop of, 84
Lumsden and his " Guides," 221,
233
Lyttleton, Alfred, 113
McCall, " Jackal," 67
Mackenzie's hoax, 104
Maclagan, Sir Edward, 281
Maclaren, " Boy," 100
McMahon, Sir H., 119, 204
Macmaster, Hugh, 84
" Maharaj Adhiraj," King of
Nepal, 1 60, 163
Malabar, H.M.S., On board of,
35-8
Malabar, The (newspaper), 36
Markham, Brig.-Gen., 67
Marshall, Tom, 29
Marri Expedition, 261
Marriott-Smith, Col., 270
Martin, Gen. Sir Alfred, 171, 270
Maxwell, Frankie, 147, 214
Lady, 152
Meerut Rifle Meeting, 93
Meyer, Sir Wm., and " K.," 153
Middleton, Bay, 18
Midleton, Lord, 114
Miles, Brig.-Gen. P. J., 269
Minto, Lord, 151
Mohmands, Fighting the, 227-
35. 268
" Live wire," 227-30
Visit of Lord Chelmsford, 231-
3
Montagu, Mr., on Waziristan,
245
Morley, Lord, 117
Mountain Warfare School, 256
Muhajirin, 219, 284
Multan, S.S., 207-10
Multan, 1 2 7th Baluchistan In-
fantry, 286
The Buffs, 269
" Multan Lamb, The," 269
Plague at, 261
23rd Rifle Brigade, 260-1
Mussoorie, Sham fight, 95-6
Mysore, Maharajah of, 267
Nepal, the Army, 161, 165-6,
168-70
and the Gurkha, 158
Hostilities with, 159
King of (" Maharaj Adhiraj "),
1 60
Star, 169
Treaty of Segowli, 159
Various tribes of, 162-3
Nicholson, Field-Marshal Lord,
87, 108, 197-9
Nightingale, Maj., 173
North- West Frontier policy, 244
Nugent, Oliver, 67
Ochterlony, Gen., 159
O'Dwyer, Sir Michael, 226, 281,
287
Lady, 226
Orman, Capt., and his cat, 75
UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Ormsby, Brig. -Gen. Vincent, 86
Outbreak of Wax, 1914, 203
Pani pathya, 165
Parks, Col., 133
Patiala, Maharajah of, 99
Patterson, A. B., 84, 85
Patton, Col. H. C., 39-40, 67
Peshawar, Arrival at, 39
to Ambala by road, 39, 40,
4i-3
Joined 2nd Cheshires at, 32
Transferred to 3oth Punjabis
at, 66
Vale Hunt, 67-8
Valley of Death, 32
Philipps, Ivor, 175
Phipps, Charlie, 15, 16, 19
& Co., 15-6
Playfair, Col., 263, 264
Pole-Carew, Col., 63, 80
Poona, Arrival of new troops at,
276-7
Accommodation for families,
277-8
My departure from, 274
Hunting at, 275
Officer accommodation at,
275-6
W.I.T.C., 275
Poore, Brig. -Gen. R. M., 240-1
Lady Flora, 152-3, 155, 241
Porteous, Maj. (gth Gurkhas),
176
Power Palmer, Col. (" Long
P-"), 44
Powis, Lady, and Kitchener,
136-7
Prinsep, Arthur, 82
Punjab Frontier Force, 305
Quds, Sardar Abd-ul, 252
Letter from, 253
Quetta, 117-8, 189-90
Journey to, 250
Kitchener at, 116
Staff College, 142, 151
Racial hatred, 288-9
Racing (Horse), 45, 46-7, 279-80
W.I.T.C., 275
Radnor, Earl of, 168, 216, 262
Rahman, Abdur, 60-1, 252
Ramsay, Maj .-Gen. the Hon. Sir
Henry, 81-3
Sir John, 39, 81
Rawalpindi Review, 58-9
Rawlinson, Lord, 118
Rawson, Harry, 19-20
Reading, Lord, 296, 302
Reform Act, 295-6
Reid, Sir C., 183
Rhys Jones, 30
Ripon, Lord, 49
Lady, 50
Roberts, Lady, at Almora, 73
a supper incident, 64
Fancy dress ball, 65
Lord, 63-4, 70-5, 80, 88, 175
Admiration for Gurkhas,
162
Antipathy to cats, 74-5
at Almora, 73, 85, 86
at Meerut Garden Party, 72
at Meerut Rifle Meeting, 93
Cold weather touring, 71, 93
Silver wedding ball, 65
his sympathy, 72-3, 311
Robertson, Jimmy, 84
Ronaldshay, Lord, 238, 239
Lady, 238
Roos-Keppel, Sir G., 220
Rose, Hugh, 174, 175
Ross, Herky, 84
Rossetti, Signor, and Bagpipes,
1 86
Rowlatt Bill, The, 283, 286
Running and Racing, 20-8
at Chester, 29
Shrewsbury Steeplechase, 20-2
Russell, Sir Baker, 99-100, 101-
3, 108
Lady, 103
St. John, Maj., and Fort Bal-
dak, 253
Sandford, Ffolliott, 21
Sanford, Maj. -Gen. G. E., 33,
98
Satterthwaite, Capt., 259
Scott, Sir C., 114
Sedition in India, 212-3, 2 57
284, 288, 291, 297
Ghadr Party, 213
INDEX
319
Segowli, Treaty of, 159
Seymour, Lord Edward, inter-
view with, 31
Shea, Lt.-Col., 122
Sheikh Budin, 247
Shepherd, Col., 270
Sheringham, Maj., 49, 61
Short, Bertie, 45, 48, 55
" Shorts," 174
Shum Shere, Sir Baber, 166-8
Sir Bir, 161
Sir Chandra, 164-5, 167-8
Gen. Padma, 58-9, 166, 169
his gallantry, 58
Gen. Sir Tej, 166
Simla, Ball and Levee, 50
Rides to and from by night,
53-4
Ordered to leave, 55
Tabooed, 53
Sinha, Lord, 288
Smith-Dorrien, Gen. Sir Horace,
9i, 175
Smith, Col. L. A., and decanter,
103-4, 214
Solon, 44, 49
Staff College, Quetta, 120
Stewart, Sir Donald, 54, 65
his daughters, 54
Strachey, Maj. the Hon. E., 260
Capt. (Col.) Jack, 83-4, 179,
189-90
Sir John, 81
Suffolk, Lady, 99, 214
Lord, 214
Svaraj, 296
Sydenham, Lord, 282, 288
Tank, 244
Teck, Duke of, at Durbar, 195
Territorials, 255-71
Arrival in Bombay, 266
Astonishment of Indians at,
257
Casualties, 268
Conducting parties, 257
Constant withdrawals from,
258
Difficulties and disappoint-
ments, 256, 257-9, 260,
265, 267
Disparity in age, 260
Territorials (contd.)
Efficiency, 259, 261-2, 268
Indian Defence Force, 270
" Kitchener Test," 264-5
Marri Expedition, 261
N.C.O.s, 260
Numbers in India, 256
Numbers under my command,
256
Officers of, 259, 262-3, 264-5,
267-70
Regiments employed, 259-60,
262-3, 264-5, 267-70
Reserve of Officers, 270
Responsiveness of, 261
Right fighting spirit, 268
Stations of, 260-1, 262, 264-5,
266, 270, 280
Tough customers, 265
Weak points of, 257
Welcome to, 267
Thompson, 69
Thorburn, 98
Thynne, Miss, 52
Tillard, " Eliza," 62, 173
Tirah Campaign, The, 108, 174
Tomkinson, Jamie, 19
" Torrie," Maj., 206-7
Totalisator, 275
Training, 23-5
Tribe, Archdeacon, 76
Troopships, 34
Turnbull, Col. T. E., 260
Vansittart, Col. Eden, 159
Villiers-Stuart, Lt.-Col. W., 266
Voyage to India (1914), 207
S.S. Multan, 207, 210
Walker, Maj .-Gen. Sir H. B., 308
Wana, 243
Isolation of, 244, 246
Ward, Col. John, 264
" Warrior," hunter-charger, 279
Waterfield, Lt.-Col., 122
Watson, Sir John, and his son,
80
Waziristan, 245
3rd Afghan War, 243, 249,
250, 253
Militia, 243, 247, 249
Webb- Ware, Lt.-Col., 178-9
320
UNDER TEN VICEROYS
Weekes, Maj. H. E., 236
West India Turf Club, 275
" Whereas," 263
Whifien, Maj. Goodman, 259
White, Sir George, 71, 90, 93, 104
Wilbraham, Squire, 19
Willcocks, Gen. Sir James, 128,
210
Williams, Maj. -Gen. Sir God-
frey, 210
Willingdon, Lady, 238-9
Lord, 238, 266
Wilson, Field-Marshal Sir H., 89
Wingate, Sir Reginald, 209
Wood, Col., 270
WoodaU, Maj. H. W., 259
Woodhouse, Isobel, 106, 107
" Wood-Smith," Mrs., 208
Woodyatt, Rev. Edward, 13-4,
30
Mrs., 13, 14-5, 32
H. C., 27
Wombell, George, 43
Y.M.C.A., 200-1, 266
at Dacca, 200
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