BMS/CWK/95/21c/15

Envelope with letters from Major James William Kaye and his wife Joyce to Kaye's parents. Sent from Hotel de Gwalior, Central India.

16 Feb 1941; received 18 Apr 1941

From: 1941 To: 1941

Letter from James William Kaye: Discusses letters received from England. Responds to various items in parents letters. Have been firing for the last 2 days, and will be shooting for the next 2, following which the Battery will return from camp. No definate news of the move out of state, but thinks it will be at the beginning of April. Intends to go to Dehli to 'try to find out what they are going to do with me, for I do not want to remain in this job for "the duration" as it doesn't seem like the Battery is going to be given an active role.' Life has been upset by the sudden decision of the Maharajah to get married at a few days notice; all the normal work has stopped. 'It is like bedlam living in the hotel; it is a vast empty barrack most of which is never used - and it is going to be full. Hundreds of guests. All the forty odd rooms which are never used are being done up for the occasion and a vast camp of large tents has sprung up in the grounds below our windows. The management have only been given 4 days in which to get the whole caboodle ready - so you can ...imagine the turmoil. The odd thing about the whole matter is that so far it is being kept a close secret as to who the lady is...the air is thick with rumours.' Elephants and bands and troops are practicing, and there will be banquets, fireworks and processions Letter from Joyce Kaye: General news.

item

Kaye, James William,
Kaye, Joyce

family correspondence, India, World War Two, MARRIAGE