John Bull's Army from Within; Facts, Figures, and a Human Document from One Who Has Been Through the Mill. - Robert Edmondson

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1907 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII. HOME AGAIN: CANTERBURY: THE On completing my first term of service in India, I was asked to " extend " in order to finish twelve years with the colours. Knowing how a "reservist" is handicapped in obtaining civil employment, worth having, I was inclined to accept the suggestion and so start again in civil life, when the time should come, an entirely free man. Domestic affairs, however, barred my way. Before I had been in India twelve months my first child had died. This, together with the Indian climate, had an enfeebling effect upon the health of my wife. Moreover, she was about to become a mother for a second time. Under these circumstances I gave up my own wishes in the matter, and decided to take my discharge. When, however, my decision was communicated to my commanding-officer, he seriously remonstrated with me, and expressed the opinion that "it was a vast pity that I should leave the regiment," and that if I would only agree to continue soldiering he would get me sent home to do duty at the Cavalry Depot at Canterbury. This exactly suited both myself and my wife. The colonel was as good as his word, and so it happened that after a little less than four years in India I found myself once more on my way back to England. The reader must excuse my not giving more details of my Indian experience. Space forbids. Some day I may give an account of it in a separate volume. Let me here, however, summarise the conclusions I had arrived at. Those were, that so far as the rank and file are concerned, if soldiering in England is purgatory, soldiering in India is hell. The troopship that carried me out to India took a load of fine, healthy young fellows; the ship that brought me back was crowded with human wrecks. These were soldiers of his Majesty's ...