Friday, January 29, 2016

 SEHIT TURK ASKERI , DOOLLAY TAP, DILIP KUMAR AND THE TOBRUK GUN

My first visit to Deolali was sometime in 1978 as a subaltern, nominated for the Young Officers course at the School of Artillery. While on a 'surreptitious outing' , which all YO's indulge in --- I with a couple of friends noticed a road sign near a cemetery which mentioned something like 'buried here are 11 Turkish soldiers' or words to that effect. My curiosity was piqued, but with gun-drill , ballistics, tactics, course-shootings and exams always on my head, I could not investigate further. Subsequently I made more than a half a dozen trips to Deolali over the next three plus decades, unfortunately, there was never time available. But I never forgot. Next time--next time ; and next time was always carried forward!! This time I was again at Deolali in October 2015 and it was ordained that I visit the cemetery.


In "Pick up your Parrots and Monkeys - The life of a Boy Soldier in India" by William Pennington there is a description of 'Doollali'. British soldiers who wanted to escape the hardship of service in India used to feign madness (Doollaly Tap---sunstroke), and were sent to 'Doollali'. As the war progressed,from a small peacetime garrison of two or three hundred, Devlali and the surrounding area eventually became an enormous Transit Camp holding at its maximum 70,000 men. Deolali also housed the Homeward Bound Trooping Depot (HBTD) for British/European soldiers waiting to embark on the journey home from Bombay, a large Military Hospital and many sanatoriums. Soldiers came from Australia and New Zealand ( as also West- Indian/African soldiers of the empire), only to be quickly on their way again to the deserts of North Africa. Regiments came from England to go always further east to Burma or Malaya.

During WW2 , Axis prisoners of War from the East African Campaign fronts (mostly Italians) were escorted to India to be held in POW Camps at Ahmednagar and Deolali.
Incidentally we YO's were billeted in the old Italian POW barracks, laid out in neat rows having toilets on either end, with barbed wire fencing all around the complex, known as 'Hampden Lines'. Eerily similar to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp I had visited a few years back. It now houses the Army School, Deolali.

Apparently Turkish POWs (including wounded Turk prisoners) were also stationed in Deolali during WW1, sometime between 1915/16, and out of that lot, eleven had died , probably of natural causes or wounds and were interred in the 'Deolali Muslim Cemetery'.
The Ottoman Turks had faced Indian and British soldiers in Kut-al-Amara and Mesopotamia. I learned from the care taker that a Turkish Colonel had come two years back and had got the graves of these ten soldiers repaired as is visible, previously they were plain mounds of earth. Names of only one or two soldiers are known and others are simply numbered (Turkish Martyr 1, Turkish Martyr 2, Turkish Martyr 3 etc). The graves have inscribed on them 'Sehit Turk Askeri' (Turkish Troops) and  'Ruhuna Fatiha' (in the spirit of Al-fatiha).

Coming on to Barnes School, Deolali and Dilip Kumar. The name Barnes School, Deolali conjures up images of a grand building and the famous BST (Barnes School Tower), which was the aiming point of many an Indian and British Gunner whether in shooting, YO's, survey, LGSC or aviation days not to forget the 'Camels Back' annual play at Barnes which many of us have attended (many a time!). Barnes School was established in 1925, primarily a boarding schools for Anglo-Indian boys and girls, mainly belonging to the Anglican Church. Later on with the passage of time, boarders and day-scholars of all castes and creeds were admitted and became alumini of BS with so many joining the Indian Armed Forces.

Yusuf Khan - - Born at Peshawar on December 11, 1922, he was brought to Deolali at age 6. His father Ghulam Sarwar Khan was a successful fruit trader and had 12 children, of which the child at number 3 was named Yusuf Khan. "In more ways than one it is Maharashtra that holds the roots of my life and career. I had my schooling at Barnes School in Deolali, Nashik, as a day scholar. The moderate climate, especially the cool summers attracted my parents to stay in Deolali since my mother was ailing with asthma. Years later, after I became known as actor Dilip Kumar, I revisited Deolali in the course of my search all over Nashik District for an ideal location to film Ganga Jamuna's outdoor scenes''.

Dilip Kumar has another connection with Deolali.
Without going into too many personal details and with all due respect to privacy , when I visited the cemetery (kabristan actually) in Deolali researching some WW1 historical facts, the care taker took me to a secluded corner where there were three neat plainly marked graves with a space between the second and third graves.
Very quietly he told me that the first grave is of Dilip Kumars 'Ammi', the second is of Dilip Kumars 'Abba' and the third one is of Dilips 'bhai'. The care taker told me that as per Dilip Kumars wishes, he desires to be interred alongside his parents (and brother) when he leaves his earthy abode. The empty space is for him as per his wishes.


DAMAGED BRITISH 4.5 INCH GUN USED IN THE SEIGE OF TOBRUK
(NOW IN THE SCHOOL)
BRITISH GUNNERS ATOP A DAMAGED 4.5 INCH GUN
 USED IN THE SEIGE OF TOBRUK
Now the Tobruk Gun story. Many of the old timers will recollect that British 4.5 inch gun with a 'jugad' kind of carriage which was placed near the Commandants Office in the old School HQ building. The carriage looked as if it been modified, welded and put together by the local EME unit. It had a plaque under the barrel--'This British 4.5 Inch Gun Was Used In The Seige Of Tobruk ' or words to that effect. I often wondered about the story behind it. Recently I found this gun among the vintage guns displayed at the S of A during the ROAR 2015. How did it reach the School from Tobruk ?? I did hit upon a picture of a damaged  4.5 inch gun with British gunners atop it after the seige of Tobruk had been lifted. The Axis siege of Tobruk began on 10 April, when the port was attacked by a force under Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel and continued during three relief attempts, Operation Brevity (15–16 May), Operation Battleaxe (15–17 June) and Operation Crusader (18 November – 30 December). 390 Battery (British Artillery) had 4x4.5 inch guns, the only guns of this caliber in that theater.  One of the four guns is now with the School, probably retrieved by the returning 4 Indian Division.


32 comments:

  1. Being from Devlali (Deolali) and the son of a retired Colonel in the artillery and having studied in Barnes (for a short period) - this article brought back such good memories. Re Dilip Kumar it was also rumored that he was the owner of Cathay Cinema at the end of Connaught Road.

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  2. Very nostalgic. I was posted to Devlali after my commissioning in 1981. My father was posted in the Artillery Center, Nasik Road. What a wonderful time we had. It was a pleasure to read this article as it brought back many memories connected with beautiful Devlali.

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    1. I am sure you must have heard of Variety Stores.

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  3. Wow!! Even silent sleepy cemeteries n graves have rare untold tales to tell the world.

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  4. Any news about Devlali always awakens my curiosity having spent lots of time there during my career

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  5. Wow, Something Very Informative.
    Have been to S of A on Five occassions on Various couses. Never did I find a mention of the details given out above.
    Fealling Really Nostalgic. Proud to be a Gunner.

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  6. I had been to Nasik Road (Arty Center)and School of Arty Deolali for many years since 1961 but never heard about Usaf Khan studied in Barns and about his family graves. Very nostalgic.

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    1. Don't think it is true....Dilip Yusuf Khan was from Peshwar, son of a fruit merchant in Bombay....but who the hell cares

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    2. Pradeep Singh, also read chapter 5 of Dilip Kumars autobiography.
      The Substsnce And The Shadow.
      He not only was in Deolali as a child, but also studied in Barnes School.


      https://books.google.co.in/books?id=J2UZBAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:sztwIt_iyc8C&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwias6i55-foAhUYIbcAHfPIBTQQuwUIKjAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

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    3. I stayed in Sukhmani Society, Devlali. Dilip Kumar's sister (or cousin) owned a flat there.

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  7. Never new such a history of Devkali. It was an eye opener. Need to visit again Delali see for self the historical aspects of Devkali. Excellent piece of information.

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  8. Been to Devlali six times but never knew most of tje things brought out in thie article. Only known were BST and Camel's back. Very nostalgic... brought back all old memories.

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  9. Stayed at the Hempden Lines during my YOs Course in 1964 and Survey Course in 1965.
    The write up evokes lot of nostalgia

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  10. For a gunner officer it's a second birth place. Spent more than 5 years in Devlali. The high rise compound wall complex next to the rly stn which was Station Workshop in 70s and 80s was actually a military prison before Independence.MH was Staff College before it was moved to Quetta in Pakistan. School HQ was a railway station and station master's house. There used to be a defunct meter gauge railway line infront of Commandant's house in 70s, found removed when I revisited in 80s. Administrative Regiment quarters housed Mental Hispital. The hill top house was Garrison Commander's house during British times. Col Kumaramangalam (later Gen),as Comdt of School stayed in that house. I too stayed in that house in '76 when I was newly married. But I hadn't become a general. Later the house became Adm Regt JCOs mess. Memories galore.

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  11. I love this place a lot because; it is being my native place and wherein I spent my childhood. I got so nostalgic after going through the beautiful blog since my ancestors are laid to rest in peace at the cemetery in Devlali and I could keep on visiting once a year because of my postings throughout India.

    Thanks πŸ™ brother for such nice πŸ‘Œ information.

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  12. Nostalgic..My father was posted as CI Tac Wing soon after the 62 War.I was 12 years old then, and we lived first in Haig Lines, then in a house opposite the Temple Hill Institute and lastly The House just below Temple Hill overlooking the Comdts house.
    Like all children we went to Barnes High School.Mr Coles was the Principle, Mr and Mrs King were teachers, Mr Flight was the debonair sought after teacher.Mrs Besset was my class teacher.Out door games, gymnastics swimming boxing cross country were games we all had to play..I was in Candy House and our sister House was Joan of Arc..
    I remember there was an old 2nd WW tank near the new quarters just ahead of the stables.Cathay and Adelphi were the picture halls we saw movies in.Punjab Mail told us the time, both onwards to Bombay and on its return.We could see it streaming off even from School.
    The May Queen Ball at the THI was an event to watch..for us kids from the Tennis Court or the six aside hockey field opposite the THI.
    Of course Policeman's Hat and Sharks Tooth were landmarks.Beale Lake was the sight for a very famous Quick fix Advertisement.
    In 1983 I came again as a Captain to do JC(Arty).. It was great revisiting the places.Somebody mentioned to Barnes Hill School and an Old Boy was in town, and I was invited to be the Chief Guest stone of their functions.
    In 1984 as part of the Study Tour from DSSC we visited Deolali.A Gunner Course mate sitting next to me mentioned as we passed the house below the Temple " Vinay," he said," One of my dreams I have is to occupy that house". I looked at him and said.." Yes I already did..but that was a long time back.
    Devali will never leave those who have once lived there.

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  13. Gunners always love Deolali and iam one of them. This article rekindles the old memories of this loveable place.

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  14. It's beautiful place to live. I know it from 1968 when I came for my YO's course and settled here from 1993.

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    1. Bharos sir,. So nice to see your name. Alok Beri. Your student during lgsc 1995

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  15. Pure nostalgia, I have visited Deolali a number of times and have been posted there but I was not aware of Turks graveyard and so many other details.
    Thank a lot for this informative post.

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  16. Second home for gunners. A beautiful place.

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  17. Sir, great read, unique, put together in a very creative but simple way, thanks

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  18. For Gunners, Deolali shall remain etched throughout their life. Such information encourages one to revisit.

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  19. It's a great place and one can always feel nostalgia. It has something in it which I guess very rare places has, it makes one feel attatched to it, the weather, the shops around, the scenic beauty, everything is just mesmerising

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  20. My beautiful Deolali. Am from Devlali n student of Barnes when Mr W.R. Coles was our Principal. My mother n uncles also went to Barnes n their second language was Latin. Pre independence we were taught urdu as one of the subjects. Yes Dilip Kumars parents did settle in Deolali. We knew the family well. In fact, am still in touch with Dilip Kumars nephew who resides at Deolali. My Grand parents had a residential hotel at Lam Road.

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  21. Was born in Deolali 1950.Spent most of the 50s there.Lived on Dhondi road.Delighted to read this blog.Its a collector's piece.Never read such a vivid and expressive account.

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  22. I wish, we Indian gunners too maintain our moments with so much concern and bring glory to its memories to be recalled by the generations next

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  23. My book DEOLALI DAYS is an ode to this beautiful army cantonment, where part of my childhood was spent.Around the dramatic times of our independence, and the tragic. partition,Deolali witnessed many situations of camaraderie.Read DEOLALI DAYS to get a glimpse of those days!

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  24. Once a Gunner always a Gunner and Devlali or Deolai will always be my Mecca. My first visit was in 1967 when I attended YO's. Subsequent courses germinated my love and created a yearing to return to my second home in India. I met my wife who was a teacher at Barnes School & this fact adds significance to both our lives.
    Your very descriptive and informative article has created so much nostalgia and makes me even prouder to be a Gunner. It certainly has generated so much interest which has resulted in a growing history of our GUNNERS HOME. Thank you one and all for your memories and contributions. "SARVATRA"

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  25. Deolali, home to gunners is etched in the minds of all gunners.I first went to Deolali in 1960 for my YOs course and the served there for three tenured. The article written gives some very new unknown facts about the town, generally not known to kost of us who have visited the place several times. A very interesting informative article. Would like to visit the place again

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  26. The in depth narration of historical background of Deolali has never been read by me before & thus feeling nostalgic while reading abt the places in and around the S of A .

    Have done three gunnery courses at Deolali . Commanded a field Regt.Still feeling a lesser gunner. Why?
    Perhaps my era has been of cut throat gunners which now it's not & regt spirit is building up albeit slowly.

    The present lot of gnrs !!! , please keep the spirits up & flying high to match up with some of the distinguished inf & cavalary units.

    The only regret I now feel is that during my Command I did not pump up in writing the career profile of some of my subordinates who would have done still better in their career as has been the trend with many COs of that time during late 80s ,particularly in other arms.I always believed in accurate reporting & idealism which is not the practical format for any organisation to compete & prosper .

    My humble contribution to the gnr fraternity may kindly be accepted as such .
    πŸŒΉπŸŒΉπŸ™πŸΎπŸ™πŸΎπŸŒΉπŸŒΉ

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