The North West Frontier

[NOTSHARP]

The region that we now know as Afghanistan, was once known as The North West Frontier in the days of the British Raj, before India became independent in 1947, and Pakistan was born.

My father enlisted in the British Army in 1930, and served with the Royal Artillery in the North West Frontier in 1936/37, during the Waziristan Campaign.

I have an album of photographs that belonged to my father, and I thought that some of you may enjoy seeing what soldiering was like eighty six years ago.
Most of the photographs have no information on them. Where there is, I have included it.

My father, relaxing in comfort.

The Guns.

Machine gun post.

Although generally mechanised by this date, much were new ideas, and not fully developed.

An armoured car of the day, on a mountain road.

Bi planes still in use.

And horses.

Before the end of The Raj.

Plenty more if you are interested.



Steve.

 

[Chrisj]

They are nice pictures to have I have a small album from the 14 18 war from my Grandfather father of out east somewhere I will have to find it.
Thanks for sharing with us all.

 

[Beleif]

Yes, please.

 

[Wurzel1]

Yes please, would love to see some more

 

[Zoltan Dani]

Interesting that the soldiers are wearing some very light footware, more aking to plimsoles and light shoes rather than army boots.

 

[NOTSHARP]

Interesting that the soldiers are wearing some very light footware, more aking to plimsoles and light shoes rather than army boots.

Just for you.

My father on the left, playing cards, wearing his hobnailed boots.

Steve.

 

[Jimbobjones]

Thanks @NOTSHARP , I have a family collection of the 30-40’s of life in the army and civvy street, so I really appreciate your photos.
I would suggest you get them into the photography section, they won’t disappear into the back pages as quickly, maybe ask the mods to put a history section in photography, then they would easily be found.
keep posting them

 

[sabc]

Definitely interested in these. Keep them coming please.

 

[Nobodys Hero]

Great photos from an era well before my time. I enjoyed looking through those. Great memories for you to cherish of your dad

 

[NOTSHARP]

A few more pics.

Observers, with telescope and signal mirrors.

Dhobi time.

Supply column.

Fort.

I do not know who there guys are.

My father - not calling home!

Steve.

 

[Cambelski]

That is history we can see, the detail on the pictures is amazing, thanks for sharing

 

[Beaver]

Absolutely fantastic

 

[oedbachgen]

Great photos NOTSHARP, I have some from that era myself which were taken by George Suddaby who his in the boxing photo with my Dad in Nowshera 1936. The RA were mechanised in 1936. My Dad was down as a gunner in the photo but George told me he was a signaller. I have no scanner to post them in you thread.

 

[oedbachgen]

In the first letter George wrote to me after I put a request for anyone who new my Dad in the Firepower RA Museum mag, it said A voice from the past jumped out at me, we weren't big buddies but I knew him because we were in the boxing together. I met George in 2005.

 

[NOTSHARP]

Mechanised!

Photographing the photographer.

Camp kitchen.

Preparing tatties?

Even at war, there is time for football.

Steve.

 

[oedbachgen]

The plane in you photo, on the ground in mine a Westland Wapiti, 11 Sqn Steve.

 

[oedbachgen]

Its me again Steve, the Austin Armoured car parked up in mine with two soldiers sitting outside it.

 

[NOTSHARP]

This is worth a read, should anyone be interested in the history of the North West Frontier.

The North-West Frontier | National Army Museum

Between 1849 and 1947, British and Indian soldiers undertook a series of punitive expeditions against the fiercely independent tribesmen of this wild and mountainous region.

www.nam.ac.uk

Steve.

 

[mrtho]

What a great collection of period photos very unusual to have for the time I would imagine.

 

[brian747]

Fantastic this is great military history , more please.!!
atb brian