Hi Trooper, I couldn't let your post remain unanswered, thanks for placing the image here, group photos from the Indian theatre in WW2 are always of interest for me. Many of the Chindit casualties who died during training in 1942 are buried at Kirkee. I would like to see the list of names, you never know where people end up, especially in this theatre of war. Where is the photo from and what is the connection to you or your research? Steve
I was asked to research the war service of Sub Cdr S Lang by his son-in-law and he gave me the photo as a start. He had an amazing rise in rank from arriving in Bombay as a Cpl and then went to Kirkee where he was immediately made an acting Warrant Officer! A list of the staff on the photo is attached.
Hi Trooper, That was a quick movement through the ranks, but I think if you showed promise or had a special skill then you moved quickly during war time service. I can't quite see where the names are attached, or am I being a bit dim. Thanks Steve
I think his rise through the ranks was partly due to him being with the IAOC. The att is a word file and I have tried again. View attachment kirkee VSD.docx
Re the female in the photo, There must have been quite a number working with various units in the area. Cyril Grimes refers to Ladies nights when he was in Poona and Kirkee, during May 1945. His entry for 15th June that year reads " Sensational evening in the Mess. Ladies night and very well attended. Near miss when returning to camp after seeing them home,lorry left the road," He records other evenings not so successful owing to a shortage of women.
I think (and I stand to be corrected) that there was a Military General Hospital in Aundh so the ladies in question might have been nurses?
Hello new chap, yes it might be possible -there was a lot of toing and froing between the camps to visit messes and Cinemas and going into Pune was a bit of a night out as well.
