| Summary: |
Audio recording of oral history interview with Ed Brown, covering the period 1919-1929.
Cassette side OA1/9/1: Enlistment in 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Posting to India; troops' keenness. Unpleasant voyage. Relations with Indians. Arrival in Bombay. Train journey to Nowshera: food poisoning; increasing heat; scenery. Defence against thieves. Jackals and hyenas. Daily routine. Description of barrack servants. Poor food; problems with insects. Indian birds and animals; keeping dog. Description of barrack bungalows.
Cassette side OA1/9/2: Outline of pay and expenditure; later pay increases. Band engagements. Description of Indian ceremonies. Soldiers prohibited from visiting Bombay brothel area. Receiving unfair punishment. Punishments for various crimes. Cases of desertion. Limited contact with civilians. Bargaining in bazaars. Parades and inspections. Sporting activities. Drinking habits. Description of ceremonial parades in Delhi; discomfort in heat. Early broadcasting. Intense heat.
Cassette side OA1/9/3: Discomfort of heat; pleasure of rains. Seeing and catching snakes. Variety in scenery between stations. Small game shooting. Posting to Mussoorie: wild animals; weather. Working conditions of Indian labour; failure of Raj to introduce improvements. Story illustrating social snobbery of European civilians towards soldiers. Uniforms; story of split trousers. Refusing drum-major appointment. Delay in return to England. Social division of European community. Admiration for Gurkhas. Low status of soldiers. Few recreations.
Cassette side OA1/9/4: Indians playing billiards. Recollections of Colonel Skinner and Maharajah of Hyderabad. Learning Hindustani. Monotony of routine in hot weather; methods of keeping cool. Poor food; extra helpings in Murree. Lack of money. Recollections of officers; respected by soldiers. Marching to North West Frontier: stopping places; heavy rain. Description of Landi Kotal camps. Afghan guards' motley uniform. Prince of Wales' visit. Witnessing beating of woman in caravan. Afridis stealing arms; punishment of soldier. Political agents.
Cassette side OA1/9/5: Political agent. Widespread illness from malaria on NWF and in Delhi. Description of Gurkhas' animal sacrifices. Enjoyable aspects of life in India. Seeing shot bodies. Wounding of tribeswoman. Little contact with Indians. Story of battle over body. Increasing homesickness; keenness to return home. Limited knowledge of India. Visiting temples. British Government's failures in India. Lectures on sexual morality; limited contact with women. Return voyage to England 1928; impressions on arrival.
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| Main author: |
Brown; Edward (fl 1919-1972); solider |
| Other authors: |
Allen; Charles (b 1940); historian and interviewer |
| Extent: |
2 hr. 30 min.
|
| Admin history: |
British private and bandsman in Royal Warwickshire Regt, Bn 2 in Nowshera, 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: C1510/09/01-05. 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: C1510/09/01-05
Copy available at Imperial War Museum. Reference: 004908/05 |
| Related material: |
Transcript available at SOAS Library. Reference: OA1/9/T |
| Format: |
Archive
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