| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Major General George Neville Wood and Mary Wood, covering the period 1931-1947.
Cassette side OA1/73/1: Previous knowledge of India and Indian Army. Desire for India posting. System of home and overseas battalions of regiment. Rotation of regiments between stations in India. Joining 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment in Chakrata 1931. Pleasant nature of station marred by problem of troops' boredom. Efforts to maintain efficiency; use of 'bull'; maximum possible sport; walks; encouragement of other pastimes. Response of men to these measures.
Cassette side OA1/73/2: Dorsets' recruiting areas. Quality of recruits. Failure to recognise one man's potential; his later success. Paternal relationship between officers and men. Quality of officers. Clubs and question of Indian membership. Segregated position of British officers from society. Description of mess life: its generally frugal nature; games; informality; gradual allowance of women; rules and standards of behaviour expected.
Cassette side OA1/73/3: Dismissal of officers for ungentlemanly conduct. Situation of other ranks in India: canteen facilities; segregation from British civilians; lack of facilities; contacts with Anglo-Indians; local beer; dhobi-itch; state of health. Precautions to stop Indians getting rifles. Status of soldier. British soldiers' acceptance of North West Frontier service. Semi-active service as brigade major at Landi Kotal. Efforts to amuse troops; paper chases; concert party.
Cassette side OA1/73/4: Use of defaulters to build roller skating rink. Sweepers' tea party. Peshawar hunt. Relationship of British and Indian regiments. Celebrating Plassey Day. Attitude to hot weather. Length of tours of duty. Officers' leave. Learning languages: effects on promotion; Indian tutor; set books. Recollections of eccentric brigade commander. British soldiers' introduction of British games to India. Regiment's tailor and contractor. Married quarters roll.
Cassette side OA1/73/5: Travelling by train. Village hospitality. Evocative memories of India. Morality of officers and men. Necessity for officers' wives to be socially acceptable. Hospitality shown troops after quelling unrest in Dacca. Troops' education. Relationship between British and Indians within military; general attitude of British to Indians. Traditional bond between British and Indian soldiers; special relationship of Dorsets and 5th Mahratta Light Infantry Regiment. Successful careers of Wood's Indian proteges.
Cassette side OA1/73/6: Continues description of protege's' careers; their attitude to independence. Opinions on partition and role of army in Raj. Position of Anglo-Indians. Story of accepting subaltern's hospitality as a general. Feelings on leaving India. Mrs Wood's description of differing reaction of British women to India. Reactions to going to India. Voyage out 1933. Recollections of household servants.
Cassette side OA1/73/7: Large number of servants used. Description of running household. Life stationed at Dacca. Enjoyment of regimental life. Homesickness. Mess out of bounds to women. Daily routine. Relationship between wives of officers and men. Journey to Simla. Kiplingesque lifestyle in Simla; illustrations of society's preoccupations with protocol. Reactions to climate. Common pests. Guard on bungalow. Evocative sights of India.
Cassette side OA1/73/8: Nature of life in India. Story of defending Hindu sweeper from Muslim servants; fears for such people once British left. Opinions on Raj.
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| Main author: |
Wood; George Neville (1898-1982); Major-General |
| Other authors: |
Wood; Mary (fl 1972); wife of Major-General George Neville Wood, Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
3 hr. 35 min.
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| Admin history: |
British major-general in British and Indian Army. |
| 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: C1510/73/01-08. 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: C1510/73/01-08
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004972/08 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/73/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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