" They had joined because they liked riding and racing. Military activities were limited to an evening parade once a week - and often drinks at the bar constituted this parade. These civilians were asked to volunteer for a task no-one else could undertake - at their own risk and expense. If they failed, then the whole episode could be written off as a regrettable drunken prank that misfired."
James Leaser while explaining about Operation Creek undertaken by the part-time units of Indian army during World war II. This operation went on to become one of the finest operations of war in the entire eastern theater which completely changed the battle outcome for allied forces.
Prior to independence, many of the members of part-time military units believed that military activities should take second place to social and sporting interests. Everyone was expected to attend fortnight's annual summer camp, and a certain number of evening parades throughout the year. These were loosely defined. An evening in the clubhouse bar could often be dignified in the Regimental ledger as parade.
Young British civilians arriving in India joined for several reasons. One of them was to have a cheap entry into clubhouses and more importantly to get introduced to far more congenial people of their age and outlook than they could usually hope to meet in as many years back home. A reason for this the Victorian system of calling to leave cards which was more in fashion among Europeans living in India than in England. A new entry into India would have visiting cards engraved with his name and address and his company. This to be used as an introduction for interacting within the social circuit and also for possible marriage alliances.
Another inducement was the offer of subsidized riding. Take for example the case of Calcutta where riders would race across the countryside in the early morning. Gymkhanas where riders rode race horses which appeared solemnly in the regimental records as "Charger, Military, Trooper for the use of". Many races were run at Tollygunge, a private course, near the golf course of the Tollygunge Club. This club was so exclusive that at one time it had a waiting list of more than five years for membership. Also to encourage good riders for army enrollment before the war was not fully mechanized - the Government of India allowed each Light Horse member 32 Rupees a month towards the upkeep of his horse. This money provided for the animal's fodder and to some extend towards paying the wages of its groom.
Perhaps the greatest attractions of the part-time military were friendship and fun. The Auxiliary Force (India) units were totally democratic. There was no direct Officer entry, in fact everyone joined as a Trooper and all promotions were from this rank only, by popular vote. An extremely rich merchant might remain a Trooper for years, while a more enthusiastic but less successful accountant could be promoted Sergeant or even Officer within a matter of months.
(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)
