| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Sir John Smyth, covering the period 1912-1947.
Cassette side OA1/63/1: Influences on formation of Smyth's character. Family's separation from father serving in Indian Civil Service from financial necessity; strains on parents' marriage. Financial necessity of passing out from Sandhurst into Indian Army; Smyth's success. Kitting out. Voyage to India to join 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment Green Howards for probationary year 1913. Impressions on arrival in Bombay and during first train journey.
Cassette side OA1/63/2: Advantages of probationary year in British regiment. Friendly reception in Green Howards. Description of hill racing. Advantages and disadvantages of plains and hill station postings during hot season. Aspects of regimental life: drinking habits; guest nights; commanding officer; mess. Process of selection for Indian regiment; story of choice and acceptance by 15th Ludhiana Sikhs.
Cassette side OA1/63/3: Reception at 15th Ludhiana Sikhs' base at Loralai. Description of Loralai; compensation for lack of social life in sport and work. Description of Sikhs: competitive nature; recruitment of regiment from one class; importance of their martial religion; appearance. Account of incidents in France 1915 for which Smyth was awarded VC illustrating loyalty of Sikhs. Mutual support in face of danger. Smyth's reputation for luck.
Cassette side OA1/63/4: Attitudes to luck under fire, loss of friends and courage. Aspects of operations against Mahsuds in Waziristan 1920-21: relative strengths at start of campaign; strategy and tactics; characteristics of Mahsud troops; story of being wounded by lone sniper; need for training; success of night operations. Excellence of Sikhs when trained in principles of frontier warfare. Relationship between officers and Sikh troops; problems over drink and homosexuality. 64
Cassette side OA1/63/5: Stories illustrating use of opium by some Sikhs in regiment and its effects. Horse racing. Recollections of bearer. Outpost duty at Chitral with 45th Rattray's Sikhs; account of poisoning of local ruler and tense situation resulting. Hunting fox and jackal as Master of Delhi Fox Hounds: Lord Irwin's enthusiasm; description of early morning meets.
Cassette side OA1/63/6: Sports in which British officer could compete with his Sikhs. Excellence of hockey standards; competition between Sikh regiments. Loyalty of troops during communal riots. Account of origin and control of Peshawar riot May 1930. Role of British in India. Continuing contacts with Sikh regiments. Morale within Indian Army. Discrimination in clubs. Advantages of Indian Army service. Life in India. Officers' drinking habits. Discipline by court martial.
Cassette side OA1/63/7: Strict standards of conduct required of British officer. Life and role of British women in India. Opinions on independence and partition.
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| Main author: |
Smyth; Sir; John George (1893-1983); 1st Baronet; Major-General |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
3 hr. 11 min.
|
| Admin history: |
British officer served with 15th Bn Ludhiana Sikhs and 45th Bn Rattray's Sikhs Indian Army in India and on Western Front, 1913-1915, and in India, 1920-1947 |
| 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: C1510/63/01-07. 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
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| Copies: |
Copy available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service. Reference: C1510/63/01-07
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004962/07 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/63/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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