Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Lady Deborah Dring, covering the period 1904-1946.
Cassette side OA1/28/1: Advantages and disadvantages of life in India. Methods of alleviating heat. Family connections with India. Arrival in India. Childhood recollections of India: family bungalow; father's bearer; ayahs; governesses; Indian languages. Muharram and Dipavali Indian festivals. Fascination of Indian bazaars. Indian food. Contacts with Indian children and other English children. Recreations.
Cassette side OA1/28/2: Relaxation of social customs after First World War. Influence of motor car. Return to India at age of 19; shipboard romances; 'Fishing Fleet' girls. Social life in Calcutta. Marriage and honeymoon. Aspects of life as officer's wife: separations; cantonments; bungalows; gardens and gardening; constant moves; hiring furniture. Indian carpenters and tailors. Itinerant visitors.
Cassette side OA1/28/3: Breaking of monsoon. Description of childhood clothes and topees. Indian magicians. Recollections of travelling in India. Indian cooks and cookery. Visits to jungle; camping. Christmas camps. Evocative sounds of India; scent of flowers.
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Main author: |
Dring; Lady; Alice Deborah (1904-1974)); née Marshell, wife of Sir Arthur John Dring |
Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
Extent: |
1 hr. 16 min. (sound cassette: analog). |
Admin history: |
British civilian wife of Major-General in Indian Army. |
Access status: |
Closed |
Access conditions: |
Access to sound recording of this interview is currently unavailable at SOAS Library. The transcript can be consulted. Researchers can access a copy of this sound recording at the British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/28/01-03. For more details see www.bl.uk/listening or contact listening@bl.uk / 020 7412 7418. |
Copyright: |
Copyright held by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |
User restrictions: |
Refer to curator. |
Language: |
English
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Copies: |
Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/28/01-03
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004927/03 |
Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/28/T |
Format: |
Archive
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