| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Stephen Bentley, covering the period 1927-1933.
Cassette side OA1/6/1: Enlistment as bandboy in 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders 1927. Enthusiasm over India posting. Kipling's picture of India. Embarkation; advice showered on soldiers largely ignored. Appalling conditions on troop deck; resenting officers over breakdown of administration. Later enjoyment of voyage. High standard of shipboard concerts. Effects of heat. Impressions of India on arrival at Karachi. Description of tropical kit.
Cassette side OA1/6/2: Description of topee. Description of troop train journey: accommodation; contrasts in temperature between day and night; lack of recreational activities; landscape; meals and contact with Indians at train stations. Enjoyment of Lahore station. Segregation from Indians. Soldiers' low pay; iniquity of 'stoppage' system. Attractiveness of Lahore cantonment; description of barrack bungalow.
Cassette side OA1/6/3: Description of cantonment layout. Cooking and eating arrangements; problem of kite hawks stealing food. Distance from latrines; problems caused by upset stomachs. Keeping units together in bungalows; soldiers' living conditions. Description of kitbox and kit inspections. Role of boot boys. Description of latrines: recollections of latrine cleaner; use as meeting place. Description of food. Drinking 'pop'. Cheapness of beer; squalor of canteen; harsh punishments for drunkenness.
Cassette side OA1/6/4: Dislike of Jhansi posting: lack of amenities; segregation from Indians and Anglo-Indians. Reasons for unit's posting in India. Harsh punishments for trivial offences. Officers' club and mess. Barrack room servants. Constant parading. Heat of Jhansi; monotony of routine. Effects of rains; consequent humidity; skin complaints. Authorities' refusal to recognise mental breakdowns. Impossibility of 'going native'. Enjoyment of training camps; increased contact with officers.
Cassette side OA1/6/5: Admiration for officers as gentlemen. Criticism of length of Indian tour of duty. Soldiers' keenness to return home. Some Indians' ambitions. Service on North West Frontier 1930. Troops' keenness. Building camp on Katuri Plain. Description of outpost duty; tribal night attacks. Destroying Afridi caves. Description of primitive expedition; building roads. Enjoyment of jungle.
Cassette side OA1/6/6: Segregation of army ranks. British attitude to Indians. Effects of drink. Soldiers' segregation from women. Description of Anglo-Indian community and their women's keenness to marry British soliders. Description of Anglo-Indian girls. 21 Brothels and prostitutes. Occurrence of homosexuality; tolerance of other soldiers. Evocative sounds, sights and smells of India. Enjoyment of service; regret at missed opportunities because of segregation.
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| Main author: |
Bentley; Stephen (fl 1927-1972); solider |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
3 hr. approx.
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| Admin history: |
British private and bandsman Seaforth Highlanders, Bn 2 in Lahore, India. |
| Access status: |
Closed
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| 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: C1510/06/01-06. For more details see www.bl.uk/listening or contact listening@bl.uk / 020 7412 7418.
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| Copyright: |
Copyright held by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |
| User restrictions: |
Private study only. For publication or broadcast please refer to Archivist |
| Language: |
English
|
| Copies: |
Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/06/01-06
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004905/06 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/6/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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