Interview with Eugene A.H. Pierce [sound recording]

Audio recording of oral history interview with Eugene A.H. Pierce, covering the period 1909-1947. Cassette side OA1/52/1: Proposed solutions to Anglo-Indian problem in 1947; abandonment by British. Recollections of childhood in railway colonies at Mhow and Nimach. Reasons for pro- British Christian...

Full description

Archive & Special Collections OA1/52/1-4 Closed

Date(s) of creation: 1972-1974
Level: Item
Format: Archive           
Main author: Pierce; Eugene A H (fl 1909-1972); businessman
Other authors: Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer

collection SOAS Archive
id OA1.52.1-4
recordtype archive
scb_item_location Archive & Special Collections
item_location Archive & Special Collections
scb_loan_type Reference only
callnumber OA1/52/1-4
callnumber_txt OA1/52/1-4
callnumber-sort OA1/52/1-4
prefix_number 1-4
title Interview with Eugene A.H. Pierce [sound recording]
scb_date_creation 1972-1974
scb_level Item
level_sort 8/Collection/Sub-Collection/Sub-Sub-Collection/Sub-Sub-Sub-Collection/Series/Sub-Series/Sub-Sub-Series/File/Item
scb_extent 2 hr. approx.
author Pierce; Eugene A H (fl 1909-1972); businessman
author_facet Pierce; Eugene A H (fl 1909-1972); businessman
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
authorStr Pierce; Eugene A H (fl 1909-1972); businessman
author_letter Pierce; Eugene A H (fl 1909-1972); businessman
author2 Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
author2Str Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer
format Archive
scb_admin_history British civilian employee of Indian Railways and businessman in Bombay.
description Audio recording of oral history interview with Eugene A.H. Pierce, covering the period 1909-1947. Cassette side OA1/52/1: Proposed solutions to Anglo-Indian problem in 1947; abandonment by British. Recollections of childhood in railway colonies at Mhow and Nimach. Reasons for pro- British Christian nature of Anglo-Indians. Role as backbone to British administration. Colour prejudice and community segregation illustrated in Bombay clubs. Father' bitterness arising from his railway career. Nature of Anglo-Indian jobs. Railway colonies. Move to Nimach cantonment on father's promotion. Cassette side OA1/52/2: Nimach cantonment; local club and railway institute. Servants' duties. Widespread acceptance of bribes and gifts; opinions on Indian Civil Service involvement. Roadside railway stations; station master's acceptance of bribes. Description of Indian railway system: gauges; classes; fares; customers. Nature of office work and routine. Contrast of life in England without servants after living in India. Cassette side OA1/52/3: Indian clerks' convoluted English. Informal nature of court case between father and his landlord. Nizam of Hyderabad's eccentricity; story illustrating power over subjects. Shooting game. Des-scription of Auxiliary Force India. Problems getting British nationality 1947. Enjoyment of AFI service. Story of armed burglary attempt. Mad dogs. Indian climate. Holidays. Relaxed observance of working hours permitted by cheap labour. Meeting Jinnah. Meeting Indian millionaire. Cassette side OA1/52/4: Continues story of meeting Indian millionaire. Story of father selling rifle to Indian aristocrat. Shooting duck and geese. Wild boar. Prevalence of snakes. Sketchy and segregated Indian education system. Hockey. Recollections of St Joseph's School, Naini Tal: daily routine; corporal punishments. Description of B G Horniman, editor of 'Bombay Sentinel'. Quality of life in India. Opinion on Raj. Anglo-Indian reaction to independence.
scb_access_status Closed
scb_conditions_gov_access 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: C1510/52/01-04. For more details see www.bl.uk/listening or contact listening@bl.uk / 020 7412 7418.
scb_copyright Copyright held by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
scb_use_restrictions Private study only. For publication or broadcast please refer to Archivist
language English
language_search English
scb_copies Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/52/01-04 Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004951/04
scb_related_material Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/52/T
hierarchy_top_id_raw OA1
hierarchy_sequence OA1.0052.001-4

Similar items