India and Malaya 1944-1958
THIS important memoir offers unique insight into the military challenges faced by a British officer during political and diplomatic emergencies in India and Malaya in the middle of the 20th century. Robert Atkins MC, now 95, was born in Poona, India. His father and grandfather both served in the Indian Army and Robert was educated at Rugby School in England before taking a commission, aged 18, into the 8th Gurkha Rifles in 1944.
From early on, he learned the art of soldiering with the legendary Nepalese warriors, and kept impeccable notes of his experiences. More than 70 years on it is these annotations, often personal, detailed and acute, that were confirmed recently by Atkins’ impeccable memory. Two introductions to his book, written by none other than Lieutenant-General Sir Peter Duffell KCB, CBE, MC and Brigadier Christopher Bullock KCB, CBE, add more gravitas to this rare military record.
First, Robert charts in refreshingly sharp prose the scenes of horror that erupted when India was granted independence in 1947. On August 15 that year and barely 20 years old, he recalled: “We were advised by a commanding officer not to go into the old city of Lahore except in considerable force. Lahore had become a bloodbath and was set alight. Fires raged, and hundreds of Hindus and Sikhs were killed.
