January 22nd
In 18 months of war what have we achieved? Held motionless in France, disastrously defeated in Mesopotamia, defeated and baffled in Gallipoli - too late to save Servia and so on and so on. Yet our tails are up and we will win.January 27th
Miss Key came to stay. Life goes on. A year ago I was a Colonel on the Railways in France - now I am a Brigadier General and an Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty, King George V. the latter is a great honour and one I appreciate very much indeed. Nothing but bad news from every part of the front, bar in France and Russia – but the Germans must be feeling the war terribly I am sure - much more than we do.February 6th
Very cold, we've had a week's rain. On Friday Major Gem argued in the Soldiers' Home that the moderate Drinker was a better fellow than the teetotaller – I argued the other way. It was rather amusing and instructive.February 10th
My new charger Australian from Sahanarpur Remount Depôt Rs. 1150 arrived this morning, 16 hands, he looks very fine. Put a saddle on him and took him round, he seemed very nervous, more so than I anyway.February 25th
The Campbell Wards came to stay and left on Friday March 3rd. Such a pleasant week. We took them everywhere, up the Khyber, Shabkadr etc. Meg looked very cheerful and happy - my Godchild. The Bishop of Lahore (Durant) was also here, a very good man and we had some interesting talks. Stein is back from Central Asia and is coming to see us here.March 11th
After 2½ years wanderings in the great deserts of Central Asia, Sir Aurel Stein turned up this afternoon by the 3.30 p.m. train to stay a few days with us - looking extraordinarily fit and well - and a great pleasure to meet again. He takes me back to the old subaltern days of Mian Mir and my friend Sigismond de Justh who first brought us together as Stein was the only other Hungarian in India. I'm afraid that with the name of Stein he is liable to be interned or annoyed. I warned him.March 14th
Saw Stein off to Kashmir by the 11 p.m. train - his stay was very interesting, but too short to get anything but a very meagre account of his travels and discoveries.April 2nd
My nephew, Kenneth Armitage, May's eldest son, arrived from Jubbulpore. He passed into the Indian Civil Service as the war broke out and is now a Lt. in a Territorial Battalion - the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Turabaz, who is staying with me says: "A fine fellow like that ought not to be in the civil. he ought to be in the Viceroy's Body Guard."I have endless processions of old trans-frontier men and Native Officers streaming down from the hills to see me.
April 20th
Given up smokes and drinks for Lent, no great hard-ship - one just feels the lack of a smoke as a baby does the lack of a dummy teat. Financial situation is acuter than ever - one despairs of ever getting straight. Each month I calculate on same improvement and then my schemes are blown to the winds by some unforeseen calamity. Just got straight when Government demands a refund of £20. another month again Govt. Bills me £11 for Daisie's meals a year ago on board ship. Then forage for horse etc. Rs. 90 in another month, then an unexpected bill from Gadney for £7 and so on and so on - it seems hopeless to try and keep ones head above water. I sent home £410 during the past year for the boys' schooling and for Insurance Premiums, the latter are a great drag on one, but if I had died earlier they would have helped Daisie out of a mess so now I can't complain if the Company wins a bit over it. The garden is still beautiful. Nemesia, Cineraria, Rannuculus, Violets, Anemone, Larkspur, stock, Frizia, Arums, just over. We have now Dianthus, Roses, Nemophila, Pansy, Snapdragon, Daisies, Geranium, Pelargonium, Poppy, Wallflower, Aster, Carnation, Petunia, and a few Arums for the vases. Phlox, Verbena, sweet peas just going. Iris just gone.April 27th
This is being a wonderful year so far. Heavy rain yesterday and black clouds now, quite cold and no idea of thin suits or punkahs - it is most abnormal. The War shows no sign of flagging, goes on just killing, killing, killing. I suppose it will end some day. Good news yesterday, the vile traitor, Roger Casement, tried to land in Ireland with arms and was captured – everybody except Roger is very pleased. Am going up to Landi Kotal to-morrow to have a peep at Afghanistan.I have given both the boys a good start in stamp-collecting and I hope they'll take an interest in it and not swop valuable stamps for tame rabbits or white mice.
May 1st
Keep your tails up! We lost a Battleship yesterday, mined in the Mediterranean, a submarine the day before, and to-day we get news (long expected as far as I am concerned) of Townshend surrender to the Turks at Kut el Amara with 9000 men! 9000 men doesn't matter tuppence and very few white, but the whole thing will be greatly magnified and be a heavy blow to our prestige in the East, it may even bring the Afghans down on top of us, as they have long been hanging on the brink - however, it's all God's will and certainly our nation with its pre-war concentration on trade and rubbish, and utter neglect of its army, does not deserve to win this war.May 3rd
My meeting of the Church of England's Men's Society on Tuesdays is rather interesting - there are some good fellows among the men and some humbugs. We got the news of Townshend surrendering at Kut el Armara yesterday with 6000 native and 3000 white troops. not important as regards loss of men, but will stir up Mahomedan excitement in India, Persia and Cabul - however we'll take whatever comes. Our muddleheaded pacific nation that despised its soldiers in peace time deserves these blows and the poor soldiers suffer. Daisie tries keeping pets with miserable results. First 2 sparrows - cat got one, then another sparrow enlisted, mysteriously disappeared, and the third died. Then a dove, Daisie took the dove for a walk in the garden and it was carried off by a kite, now 2 quails and we'll see what happens.May 5th
Susanna and Rose went off at 8.30 a.m. with Mrs. Fane to Murree. The house seems very empty and Daisie feels lonely. How awful it must be when a child, an only child, dies.May 25th
Leo has a very bad report from school - all subjects not up to the mark. I must try and remember that I had bad reports too, once on a time, but I dare not let him know that.June 2nd
Still cool nights, but it's time to get our punkahs swinging and we would begin them to-day if Daisie didn't think that it was unlucky to start even punkahs on a Friday. Don't see where the bad luck could come in unless she thinks they might fall on our heads.June 3rd
King's Birthday. Holiday. Race Meeting. A very nice wire from the Viceroy where we were dining with the 15th Sikhs last night to say that I was to be a C.B. very pleased and honoured. Still cool, but to-night we start sleeping under punkahs.June 6th
Such a shower of congratulations, it fills up my day answering them all I got one from the Maharajah of Gwalior, but I don't know why I'm sure. It is really hot now, but not bad for the time of year.June 8th
Yesterday we had news of the great Naval Battle off Jutland with the Germans - a victory for us, but dearly paid for. Our losses in ships and men were very large, probably larger than the Germans, but they bolted home and left us masters of the Sea, so they can hardly claim it, but they will, as a victory. We had thorough bad luck throughout. Then we have news of the most dramatic incident in the War, the sinking of The Hampshire with Lord Kitchener and Staff on board en route for Russia - no survivors. It is sad. Kitchener is not irreplaceable, but it is a great feather in the German cap.June 12th
I gave an address in the Soldiers' Home last night rather against the emotional sort of Christian. Christ came on earth to save sinners, not to make saints. Some of them didn't like it.
No hardship this hot weather. It was just trying to bring out my prickly heat, then a storm last night and now it is quite cool again. We have a Memorial Service for Lord Kitchener to-morrow. The Russian victory in Hungary seems tremendous and far outweighs any of the German successes in the Verdun Direction. The War goes very well.June 18th
I gave an address in the Soldiers' Home the other day on "how we can lead the Christian Life in the Army". And again on Thursday, we are to discuss it. There are some very fine characters among the men here.I am to go to Simla on June 30th to be invested with my C.B. by Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy. Daisie goes to Cherat for the 4 days.
The War goes on well. Verdun remains unfallen after 4 months hammering. The Russians continuing their triumphant progress against the Austrian.
Our garden is full of doves, and they simply roar in the early morning. I never heard such frightfully vigorous "coos" in my life.
[End of Vol 9. Begin Vol 10]
July 4th
Not very hot and we are both fit. A few carnations still in the garden. I have just returned from Simla where I went to be invested - glad to have it over, functions are unnerving. Daisie went to Cherat for the 4 days to stay with the Tarvers. I left on June 28th, very hot travelling, arrived Simla 29th, lunch time, staying with Sir Beauchamp Duff, Commander-in-Chief – it was nice and comfortable at Snowdon. The investiture went off well. Mrs. Scott gave us a rehearsal the night before and we learnt how to make our bows and how many bows to make and how to walk backwards without tripping up over our spurs. We dined at Viceregal Lodge about 50 of us, and after dinner about 100 big wigs came in to see us invested so we had plenty of spectators. Mrs. Scott said we were a credit to her (wife of Col. Tommy Scott, Mil Secretary). I took into dinner Viscountess Errington and was very pleased to have the smartest and prettiest woman in the room. We talked so much I got no dinner. She was a daughter of Lord Minto, so knew her way about pretty well. Called on the Bishop who is going to make me a lay-reader. Arrived here Sunday evening, Daisie arrived Monday morning from Cherat by motor car.July 8th
We keep our tails up in spite of the heat. A small race- meeting to-day and very good racing.July 11th
There has been rain elsewhere and it is cooler. Daisie left by the 8.38 a.m. train to Murree to see her beloved Susanna, I hope she'll have a good journey, but one is always anxious.July 15th
Both boys write cheerfully from their schools and seem to be doing well. I hope and think that Leo will do well at Haileybury. He does not seem to be brilliant and his reports are bad, but he has depth of character and I am not afraid of his success in the end.July 16th
When I left Westward Ho, 33 years ago, the motto of the School was "Fear God and Honour the King". To-day I am honoured by God and by the King. In the morning at parade service, I was admitted as a Diocesan Lay Reader - a trying ceremony in front of the whole congregation, and a heavy and fearful responsibility from which I shrink, but which God will give me strength to bear.July 18th
Had out the Flying Column with Mechanical Transport as an experiment, worked very well.
3 armoured cars at the head of the procession and 25 cars carrying 700 men. I am arranging to pull one of the Howitzers out next time - a 60 pounder.July 26th
Daisie turned up all right on Friday, and it was nice to have her back. The Deaconess has been staying a couple of days with us.August 4th
No ladies are allowed at Landi Kotal fort. but Sir George Roos Keppel gave me special permission to take Daisie up to have a peep at Afghanistan and Pears, the Political agent, Khyber, asked us to lunch. We started in Major Finlay's car at 9.30 a.m. after the parade service of Intercession, 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of War - Arrived there, 30 miles up hill about 11.30, wandered about the country had lunch and returned by 4.30 p.m., roasted to death as we had the top off the car to see the view. It is hot and sticky after the rain.August 9th
Leo goes to Haileybury in September, his reports are very bad, lazy and dreamy, but I suppose he is just what he is, and what he inherits from us, so there's no use being cross about it.August 10th
These Pathans are very outspoken and impertinent. Old Khalu came to see me to-day, an enemy Mohmand who did some secret service for me during the trouble last year. He says "You soldiers are like hawks, never know where you will be next. Sometimes like you in France, then on the Frontier here, then perhaps in Mesopotamia and so on. The Civilians are like your women-folk, while you fight and kill and lose your lives, they stay at home and look after the house and eat presents of fruit and reap the rewards of your deeds of valour!" A rather unjust view of the Indian civilian who's just as ready as anyone to take his place in the firing line.August 13th
Poured like anything, a regular flood. A week ago we had four small earthquake shocks, yesterday we had one big one about 10.30 a.m., but it seemed to be straight upwards, just lifted the chairs and didn't sway or make the roof creak.To-day is a great day in my life. The beginning of the end of my money-troubles!! In the early morning I felt sure they were gone, I don't know why, but I suppose these things are answers to prayer. I went over to the Club and met Major Jackson the Controller of Mikl. accounts, who told me an order had just come that I am to have full Brigadier pay in the future - an increase of £240 a year, and 4 months arrears which is £80. The whole world seems so different - my financial web was looking sadly tangled and now it is all straight.
August 16th
Floods and deluges of rain - servants' houses all flooded out and one washed right down. I am so pleased at having my proper pay of Rs.2100 a month that life seems quite different. My arrears are also Rs.1200 which enables me to pay all my debts at the shops. What a huge war this is. Bay writes from Belgium, others from France, Watts from Mesopotamia and Egypt. Irwin from East Africa, Cunliffe in West Africa, Bob and Wattie are in Salonica and here are we on the Afghan frontier. Bennett writes from Persia.August 20th
More rain, not at all wanted, and a sharp earthquake shock at 6.45 a.m. Daisie and I were in our dressing-rooms and lost no time in skipping out into the open where we met in the garden with our brushes and combs in our hands. The bungalow creaked and groaned and plaster began to fall, it was quite time to get outside. Church is at 7 a.m., or else we would probably have been in bed. Wrote to Leo and sent off letter as he joins at Haileybury on September 22nd.August 23rd
My Army birthday. To-day I begin my 33rd year of service and I give thanks to God that I have been allowed to do my work so long and to have enjoyed it so, and for the many blessings those 33 years have brought me – my wife and children not the least among them. I start my 33rd year as a Brigadier General. an A.D.C., and a C.B. Quite enough honours, thank you, and though I love my work I'd like to go. I want some home life and I want to see my children.Yesterday we had tea in the city with Rai Bahadur Karm Chand, a wealthy old man with a fine house, furnished in the worst taste.
August 29th
Inspected the new regiment, the 30th Lancers. Men and horses looking very fit and well-turned out.September 5th
It was such a pleasure paying up all the bills in full. Now I owe nothing in the world to shops, except my tailor in London who likes to be owed. All my debts are bank debts with interest duly paid and instalments.September 14th
Peshawar was getting warm enough to make us glad to get away. We left last night at 11 p.m. Pindi 6 a.m., left in motor 8.45 a.m., arrived at Forest Dell at 11.45 a.m., having had many stoppages en route, water boiling, and engine on fire which had to be put out by throwing earth over it.September 18th
Nice rain and fog and cold makes me so happy, but makes others miserable.September 23rd
Mohmands giving trouble but I hope it will come to nothing. Gave a Lecture at the Soldiers' Home on Thursday last. Forest Dell is very quiet and we are quite out of all the tea-parties and social dulness.September 27th
Susanna went to a fancy dress tea-party at the Thomas's yesterday. She looked very smart as a General in summer white Mess uniform. The Mohmands have begun raiding again and the Flying Column has been sent out, as General Davies is commanding for me in my absence there seems no need for me to return unless things get more serious. Our aeroplanes flew over the Mohmand country yesterday and I am anxious to hear the result.October 1st
I got a wire before lunch yesterday from the Northern Army-Commander, telling me to return. Got a tonga at 3.0. and arrive here 6 a.m. this morning. There's nothing acute just at present, but I am to take my Brigade out to Subhan Khwar as soon as possible. So abruptly ends a very happy holiday.October 3rd
House shut up and everything locked away so ate my breakfast at 6.30 a.m. with my fingers - 3 poached eggs! Column marched at 8.30 a.m., punctually arrived Nagoman camp 12, noon. Very hot, but only one case of heat-stroke. Troops are Kings Regt., 72 Punjabis, 15th Sikhs 12th Pioneers - 90th Batt. Field Artillery, 24th Batt. Mountain Artillery. 2 Squadrons, 30th Lancers. No. 1 Co. Sappers and Miners: Transport very bad, a bad class of mule, badly trained, badly fed, in bad condition, gear bad, personnel bad, officers useless. I would not care to have to undertake anything very desperate with this lot. It's not their fault - everything of the best has been sent to the big front.October 4th
Marched to my old camp at Subkhan Khwar. Destroying Halimzai villages and cutting crops. Lots of my old men came into see me from the villages and asked to have their crops spared - I can do nothing.October 5th
I've got wireless, aeroplanes, howitzers and Motors, all quite up to date. Last night a little firing. This morning Cavalry patrol fired on from the downs. no casualties. It is fearfully hot and the mosquitos rage and the dust stifles. Duncan, of the 9th Gurkhas is my Brigade Major, Waller of the 72nd, Staff Captain, Rich, 35th Sikhs (I.A.R.O. Bombay Port Trust) Orderly Officer.October 6th
We have certainly reached bed-rock in the line of officers, if not men: all imbecile and incapable. The 15th Sikhs are all good, the 72nd have 2 good officers, the 12th one, the Kings half-a-dozen, the S & T. none. One has to pull along somehow. Duncan and I went to Abazai in armoured oar and crossed the frontier to select sites for block-houses - got back at 3.30 after 7 hours in the sun.October 14th
All quiet and no sniping. To-day about 100 of them fired on my working parties near camp. I went out and my orderly officer was pleased to note that two bullets dropped near him. so he had really been under fire for the first time. Under fire again at night, they sniped heavily and aimed well at my part of the camp. I got one bullet through my mosquito curtains, another through my tent, and an explosive bullet in the tree just behind my tent.October 16th
Broke up Subhan Khwar camp and dispersed my force into 4 Sections, 4 little armies 3½ miles apart, self-contained under their own C.O's. No.1 Section, 12th Pioneers, Major Hooker, No.2 Section 15th Sikhs, Col. Gordon, No.3 Section, King's Major Hyslop, No.4 Section 72 Punjabis, Col. Prentis. Each force 1 battn. inf. ½ Squadron Cav. Section of Mountain Battery, ½ Co. R.E. Section of Hospital. So now I have nothing to do.Went in for Miss Campbell's wedding to Learoyd, the 21st Lancers, a well run wedding and Susanna made a sweet bridesmaid and was not silly or shy. There were 7 Generals in a row! Stayed the night and returned to Shabkadr fort where my headquarters are, on Tuesday afternoon. Enemy fired desperately at the fort for an hour, from 9 to 10, but hit nothing.
October 24th
Had to go in to see Divisional General - all his Staff have got fever - fever is very bad just now, the men go down in scores. A nice morning and lunch with Daisie. The enemy are not very active, but there is a good deal of sniping and raiding at night and my cavalry patrols are always fired on - the armoured cars get a look in now and then, but there are not many casualties on either side.October 27th
First day of building front line piquets. They run on a line half a mile apart. Motored to Michni fort 8 a.m. Thence rode to bank of Cabul River and so across country to bank of Swat River which we reached at 4 p.m., 35 posts to visit, work very interesting. No enemy in sight.October 30th
All wire completed. All very quiet so far. The Division, the Cavalry Brigade, the 2nd Brigade and all artillery and cavalry from my lot have been taken away, which leaves me very thin, but they fear disturbances in the Khyber and I must try my best to hold this 17 miles with 5 battalions 1 Battery and 50 Sabres.November 1st
My lucky month of birth and marriage. Nothing doing except on the right of the line, Where the Guides exchange Shots with about 50 of the enemy at long range. There are probably about 500 of them gathered there, but not ready to attack. The position is really impregnable. It overlooks the right bank of the Swat river and is very picturesque. I chose sites for 3 picquets here over the frontier in the Burhan Khel country and they are naturally mad about it and swear revenge. The line had to go forward there to protect the weir in the river below.November 2nd
They got through the King's wire last night between posts 21 and 22 and fired a salvo at me in the fort at 11 p.m. It was very plucky of them and very well done and I sent them a message to say "well done!" When the live wire is up I'm afraid they'll get killed. I inspected No. 3 section riding round the front line in the morning. We ran the gauntlet rather, as our horses attracted the snipers, shots were near us, but neither I nor Short nor Duncan, who were riding with me, were hit. A mule driver caught one of the bullets that missed me and was hit in the head.November 4th
Went in for the day to see Daisie and the Division. It is getting very cold and I brought out my warm clothes.November 7th
A gruesome morning looking at the dead bodies of the Momands shot last night by the Kings and the 15th Sikhs.November 9th
A lull and I was able to get in and spend a happy wedding day with Daisie. I had not expected to be able to and it was a very great treat.November 10th
Back to Shabkadr. Nothing doing. The enemy are afraid of my live wire and have not yet tried it. It kil1s two or 3 inoffensive wild cats, dogs and jackals every day - it is hard on them.November 11th
Saw a good deal of the enemy skipping about on the hills and it looks as if they'd fight in a day or two. I did not fire at them as I want them to gather and put up one real good fight, then the affair will subside, probably, for at least a year. The Division have been very good so far, in allowing me to run my own show, and I have Duncan, the best of Brigade Majors.November 14th
Enemy keeps gathering and dispersing - they can make no plan of attack with this wire arrangement. Caught the first victim last night, I was glad to get a victim to show it worked properly, - a fine, brave fellow. His companions made no effort to rescue him as they had learnt that anyone who touches the corpse gets killed himself. The whole thing varies with different people, some can stand more electricity than others. The other day a man was caught on the wire by accident, the one who went to rescue him was killed by the current passing through the first man, who was not killed, but lost one arm. The Division came out to-day and the Chief Commissioner.November 16th
Yesterday the Mohmands put up a half-hearted fight, my Brigade remained in Reserve on the wire, but I rode forward to the 2nd Brigade on the downs and saw little. The Durham Light Infantry lost about 10 men. The aeroplanes were very interesting and the enemy didn't like them at all. Another man caught on the wire - a holy youth of 18, who armed himself only with two korans which were not effectual against the 2000 volts.November 26th
No chaplain out for two weeks, though we have two in Peshawer, so I took the service myself.November 28th
Daisie called me up on the telephone and told me there was a wire for me from the Chief to go to Delhi to talk about something. Glad of the trip, wish I could take Daisie too, to see our old haunts of 17 years ago. Packed up and got in to lunch by motor car, found Daisie and the chrysanthemums looking very pretty. Susanna with a cough.November 29th
Left for Delhi 8.38 a.m. arrived Thursday Nov. 30th 7 a.m., went to Maiden's Hotel. I find my work is to be President of a Committee of 15 C.O's on the subject of free rations for the Native Army. Went out to the Kutb and to see new Delhi near the Kutb, with the Gordons, not much sign yet of the new city except beautiful roads.December 2nd
Dined with the new Commander-in-Chief, Sir Charles Monro and left by the midnight train, arrived Peshawar.December 6th
Left in car with Duncan at 2 p.m. for Attock, arrived about 4.30. All 3 Brigadiers, myself, Woodyatt and Beynon live and mess together.December 10th
Arrived home by car at 10 a.m., very cold driving. The tour through the broken hills defending the Attock Bridge was very interesting. We were out riding from dawn to dusk and occasionally climbing hills, so we were pretty fit.December 16th
Very interesting work cross-examining a Turkish spy captured at the Malakand who pretends he's a Russian - his Russian is very feeble and I'm afraid he'll be shot.December 17th
The world seems very small!! On October 15th 1914, I wrote in my diary in France: "Braisne is being shelled, where I was on Sept. 18th and Oct. 3rd, and two old ladies have fled from there, I am taking them down with me to Paris." To-day I get a letter from Captain Elliott. from North Wales and he says: "They had a most interesting old French lady with them, Mademoiselle Menesson.... in this War she was at Braisne on the Aisne, and had French, German and British alternately billeted on her, finally they started bombarding and she fled to England, this was on Oct. 15th 1914, she says that at 7 p.m. that evening at Mont Notre Dame, she was assisted by an Indian Army Colonel, "bel homme, distingué, d'une grande taille," [good-looking man, distinguished, very tall] who was "chef de train", could it have been yourself? Anyhow she quite fell in love with him and tells everyone she meets of her wonderful Colonel who had come all the way from India to be a train conductor - the said Colonel was most attractive, fed her on the best bully beef, opening the tin with his own fair hands, etc. etc." It is very interesting.December 29th
Devons' Pantomime very good - Yesterday we had ten South Devon men to tea. One of them, Stoneman, (now at Sidmouth) was at our wedding. The Christmas week, with its revels and drunkenness is nearly over, thank goodness! - we have such a weird way of celebrating the birth of our Saviour. The women by balls and parties, with nice decolletée dresses, and the men by drinking too much. Poor old humans, we are comic or tragic - I don't know which.