Interview with Mr. E.A. Jenkins [sound recording]
Mr (Lt-Col.) E. A. Jenkins's life in India, working for various commercial enterprises between 1934 and 1964, including services in the Indian Army during World War II: background and education; first impressions of India; the European community, its hierarchy and lifestyle; his career in commerce;...
| Order number: |
OA4, Memories of the British in India, Sound Cassettes, Box 1 [CLOSED] |
|---|---|
| Date(s) of creation: |
July 1983 |
| Level: |
Item |
| Format: | Archive |
| Main author: | Jenkins; E A (b 1902); employee of Cox and King's shipping agents |
| Other authors: | Wood; Conrad (b 1942); historian and interviewer |
| Order number: |
OA4, Memories of the British in India, Sound Cassettes, Box 1 [CLOSED] |
|---|---|
| Summary: |
Mr (Lt-Col.) E. A. Jenkins's life in India, working for various commercial enterprises between 1934 and 1964, including services in the Indian Army during World War II: background and education; first impressions of India; the European community, its hierarchy and lifestyle; his career in commerce; the Indian nationalist movement and its effect on the European community; the outbreak of World War II and his service throughout the War in the Indian Army; Indian independence in 1947; post independence career in India; memories of General Alexander; his opinion of the capability of Indian ministers.
Summary: Playback Cassette Side 1: Family and educational background. Work with Cox and King's. Why he wanted to go to India. 'Song of the Burma-Shell'. preparations for going out; kit allowance. Terms of contract. Voyage on Tuscania. First impressions of India. Description of a 'chummery'. European health standards. Sporting and club life. Social hierarchy among European business community; comparison with UK. Family and educational background. Work with Cox and King's. Why he wanted to go to India. 'Song of the Burma-Shell'. preparations for going out; kit allowance. Terms of contract. Voyage on Tuscania. First impressions of India. Description of a 'chummery'. European health standards. Sporting and club life. Social hierarchy among European business community; comparison with UK.
Summary: Playback Cassette Side 2: Recruitment to Auxiliary force , India. Role of AFI. Method of dealing with communal riots. Harassment of Europeans by nationalist mobs. Lack of police intervention. Attitude of Europeans to different Indian communities. Inter-community cricket matches, influence of politics on. Outbreak of Second World War: Jenkins' recruitment to Indian Army Reserve. Period in UK. Indian Army postings. How a mistake saved Rajputs from Japanese captivity and led to Jenkins' promotion. Positive Indian reaction to War. RIN Mutiny: Calm reaction of Europeans. Confidence Japanese could not conquer India. Jenkins' post-war work with Anchor line. Business rivalries after 1947. Membership of voluntary organisation. Demand of Indians to use European swimming baths. Period working in Pakistan.
Summary: Playback Cassette Side 3: Pre-1947 nationalist agitation. Indian Independence Day on board P and 0 ship. European reactions to Indian independence. Reaction to Indian threats to nationalise European companies. European attitude to missionary activity. Jenkins' lack of involvement with government . Admiration for ICS. Memories of General Alexander. Capabiltiy of Indian ministers. |
| Main author: | Jenkins; E A (b 1902); employee of Cox and King's shipping agents |
| Other authors: | Wood; Conrad (b 1942); historian and interviewer |
| Previous numbers: |
OA2/66/1-3 |
| Extent: |
2 sound casettes (2.hr. approx.) |
| Note: |
India - British rule, 1765-1947 - Commerce World War, 1939-1945 - India India. Army - British rule, 1765-1947 - Reminiscences India - Independence, 1947 India - British rule, 1765-1947 - Nationalist movement India - British rule, 1965-1947 - European community |
| Admin history: | Mr. E.A. Jenkins - 1934-37 Worked for Cox & King's, shipping agents, Bombay [Mumbai]. 1937-64 Worked for Anchor Line, Bombay and Karachi. 1935 Joined Auxilary Forces India. 1938 Joined Army in India Reserve of Officers. 1939-46 Served with the Indian Army. |
| Custodial history: | Recorded as part of the ’Memories of the British in India’ project by India Office Library & Records [subsequently the Oriental and India Office Collection, British Library]. This recording was previously held at SOAS Library as part of the 'British in India Oral Archive Project' collection [Reference OA2], removed from this collection in August 2014 to reflect the recording’s alternative provenance as part of the ‘Memories of the British in India’ project. |
| Access status: |
Closed |
| Access conditions: |
Sound recording currently unavailable at SOAS Library due to preservation reasons. Researchers can access a copy of this audio recording at the British Library Listening & Viewing Service. For more details see www.bl.uk/listening or contact listening@bl.uk / 020 7412 7418. |
| Copyright: | Copyright held by British Library |
| User restrictions: | Private study only. For publication or broadcast please refer to Archivist |
| Language: | English |
| Originals: |
Original sound recording of interview available at British Library Listening & Viewing Service [Reference: C63/24-28] |
| Format: | Archive |