Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    BMS/CWK/95/21c/13
  • Title
    Envelope with letters from Major James William Kaye and his wife Joyce to Kaye's parents. Sent from Hotel de Gwalior, Central India. Also includes printed handbill for the film 'Good Bye Mr. Chips'
  • Date free text
    26 Jan 1941; received 24 Apr 1941
  • Production date
    From: 1941 To: 1941
  • Scope and Content
    Letter from James William Kaye: The new commander in chief, Claude Auchinleck, arrived in Gwalior by air and went on in special coach to Delhi. 'Almost everyone regards him as the right man for the job.' Went to the local cinema to see 'Good Bye Mr. Chips' and encloses handbill. The battery is about to go off to camp to Chriwai. Will be firing in the middle of February. Will be interested to see how it goes, as 75% of the men are new with less than 9 months service. The writer will go to the camp for the day and return to the hotel at night; 'messing with the state officers presents a good many difficulties as they prefer to live Indian fashion, and I think that is bad for my digestion.' Refers to the fall of Tobruk, and comments on other war news. Seems certain that they will move soon to Balochistan, [Pakistan] probably Fort Sandeman. Wives are not allowed there. The battery is to be inspected by the G.O.C. [General Officer Commanding] Eastern Command. Letter from Joyce Kaye: Also refers to the arrival of Claude Auchinleck, who was with Teddy Armstrong. The Clyno [car] is back on the road. Going to a drinks party at the Residency in honour of General [Charles] Broad, G.O.C. Eastern Command. The Broads lived near the Kayes in Quetta, so looking forward to seening them again. The Coopers are coming to stay. Describes re-binding some blankets, mending a tea cosy, and covering some coat hangers. Also refers to cinema trip. Refers to husband's potential move to Balochistan; Joyce likely to go to Quetta, but it will be hard to find somewhere to stay. Might be able to do more war work in Quetta, and will be interesting to see how it has been rebuilt following the earthquake [31 May 1935]. Husband gets more and more irate that he has not been sent to Africa.
  • Level of description
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