|
|
| NEWSLETTER | | | | SIKH PIONEERS AND SIKH LIGHT INFANTRY ASSOCIATION | | | | DECEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER | | | | | 6. A Christmas Message from Dr. Lee McBride (widow 1 SLI. from Houston, Texas). | | | | |
A Christmas card she sent to Hector says:
Hope this finds you well. I have made it through the year with all body parts intact, which is very nice. I keep arthritis at bay with my daily swim. In the summer I take a dip in the Bay of Fundy, shown in the photo which I took from my front deck. The Regiment seems to have things well in hand, hope all continues well. Best wishes for 07.
| | | Lee | | | 7. Message from Brig Mulk Raj and Roma | | | | | Dear John,
Thanks for the summer news letter which went around to Ohio, North Pole Alaska, and ultimately reached us at Fremont California. After spending a memorable time touching minus 51F at Alaska, we decided to move to California to be with our son Kaurik and daughter in law Anu and their toddler son Aurik. We are enjoying this experience of grand parenting in sunny California.
Roma and I are co-authoring a book “Your Guide to Healthy Sex” with Dr. Fred Peterson of Wright State University to combat the monster of AIDS threatening India. We hope to spend time in India to ensure that this book, translate in all 28 regional languages, reaches the masses ere it is too late.
| | | Best regards,
Deg Teg Fateh,
Sincerely yours
Mull and Roma | | | 8. A 32nd Sikh Pioneer Officer’s reminiscences | | | | | Hector Routley has discovered in a second hand bookshop an account of the experiences of a young officer, A.T. Wilson, who was commissioned from Sandhurst into the 32nd Sikh Pioneers around 1900, at the age of 18. When Wilson was serving with the Regiment in Ambala in 1907, they had just been issued with new accoutrements with which to carry the Pioneer’s spade, pick or hoe, axe or bill-hook or saw, in addition to a rifle and 100 rounds.
The men complained that all this galled them, and Wilson offered to march 34 miles or so from Ambala upto the Kalka road, fully accoutred, with a rifle and 200 rounds, in a single night, in order to test the new equipment for himself. Col Brander, the C.O. agreed. He reported to the Quarter Guard at 20.30 one evening and started off. By 05.30 the next morning he had reached the Regimental camp, and was immediately told by the C.O. to strip to the waist and show his back to the Indian Officers, his own company, N.C.O.s and a few older men. His back was slightly galled at one point, and he then took off his boots, showing his feet, which were not sore but discoloured, only because he had accustomed, himself to do without socks! The example had some effect on the rank and file, who henceforth decided to make the best of it.
Wilson also described the formal ceremony of admitting recruits after their training. This took place two or three times a year on the maidan in front of the barracks. The Regiment would parade in hollow square, in full scarlet. In the centre sat the white bearded priest (granthi), with the holy books of the Sikhs (The Granth sahib) before him on a reading desk covered with gold thread embroidery. On either side would be Sikh officers with drawn swords, behind them a small guard of honour with fixed bayonets. The Adjutant would call the parade to attention and the Colonel order the recruits to be summoned. They would be ready at the Guard Room 20 yards away and be marched up in perfect order clad in white turbans and shirts – “candidates” in fact some thirty strong. To them, three at a time, the granthi would read out the oath in Punjabi, making them repeat it, with right hand upon the book itself: “I swear by the Almighty on this sacred book that I will truly serve the King Emperor (at that time he hesitated because for so long he had said Queen Empress) with life and limb, in heat and cold – Khushi ya tari se – by sea and by land, with obedient heart and loyal tongue”.
After each three men had taken the oath they would step back a pace. The granthi would raise his hand and utter the Sikh war cry and salutation; Wah Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wah Guru Ji Ki Fateh, and back from the ranks would come the answering cry. “Sat Sri Akal, with deep emotion. Then three more recruits, and another three until all had taken the oath and be standing before the granthi who would speak to them - as a Bishop to boys just confirmed - with just a few sentences. The Sikh officer in charge would approach the Colonel seated on his charger, to report that all had taken the oath. The recruits would then march off and return later in the full glory of scarlet and blue. The order would be given “open ranks to receive the recruits”, and they would take their places in the gaps opened up, very often next to a brother or cousin, or a man of the same village or sub-caste. The ceremony meant a great deal to Wilson. Nevertheless he decided to leave the army and pursue a career in politics. If any member would like to read the book and absorb his further adventures he should contact Hector.
| | | 9. New Members | | | | | We are delighted to welcome five new members who have been enrolled under the revised Membership rules:
| Mr. William Cook | London | grandson | Maj R.D. Ewert MC | 1SLI | | Dr. Annabelle Dudley | London | daughter | Lt J Dudley | RC | | Dr. Mark Dudley | New Malden | son | Lt J Dudley | RC | | Mrs. Robina Nicholson | Alresford | daughter | Lt Col JM Rickettts MC | RC | | Maj Anthony Smith | Salisbury | son | Capt NV Smith | 32 SP |
There must be many Members who have close relations who would qualify for membership who could still encourage them to enroll and help the Association to continue. I remind you of the new rule: 3. | Sons and daughters and other close relatives of formerly serving officers of the Regiment who have an interest in our Association are welcome to become Full Members paying the same annual subscription and have the same rights as other Full Members except wearing the Regimental tie (and waistcoat). |
10. I must add a note of the appreciation felt by the Association for the hard work undertaken by our Hon. Treasurer. Capt Hector Routley. Apart from the onerous duties of a Treasurer he provides valued advice about all sorts of matters arising. The receipts and payments account for 2006 appears overleaf.
In conclusion, Jill joins me in sending our best wishes for a happy and successful 2007 to all our Members here and overseas, and to present and past serving members of the Regiment in India. Deg Teg Fateh | | | John Dudley 31/12/2006 | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
Page 5 of 6 |
|
|
