"The Sikh Sepoy": a Lecture. Given by. Attached 2 Company Hong-Kong Singapore Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery, on 8th Match 1913 to the officers of the garrison and on 22nd March 1913 to the N.C.O.'s men of the Hampshire Regiment.

DOBBYN, George Henry Walker.

Published by Mauritius: Central Printing Establishment, 1913

About this Item

Sole edition, otherwise untraced in institutions and commerce, with the ownership signature of Captain R. H. M. Watson, who served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in East Asia alongside the author. Dobbyn gave his lecture for the benefit of servicemen who had never encountered a Sikh soldier. He recounts the history of the Indian Army, including the Rebellion, the culture and customs of Sikh soldiers, and some of their "brilliant military exploits", although he stops short of recommending them for any military service higher than being in the rank-and-file. Tipped in at the rear are two printed addenda. The first describes some perceived Sikh moral failings, recycling a few handy tropes, and the second recounts healthy disagreement between the author and an unnamed Indian Civil Servant who "does not altogether agree with my views". Dobbyn (1878-1953) saw action in South Africa and was promoted to captain in 1906. In 1908, he served with 60th company in Aden en route to Kataphar, West Bengal, and is recorded as being stationed in East Asia by 1911. His fellow artilleryman, Captain Watson, spent over a decade serving in China and South-East Asia and rose to the rank of major during the First World War. His signature is dated 10 October 1913. Octavo, pp. [viii], 26. Original grey wrappers, front cover lettered in black. Wrappers worn, losses at edges due to silverfishing, contents generally clean: a very good copy of a delicate publication.

Seller Inventory # 143221

Bibliographic Details

• Title: "The Sikh Sepoy": a Lecture. Given by. Attached 2 Company Hong-Kong Singapore Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery, on 8th Match 1913 to the officers of the garrison and on 22nd March 1913 to the N.C.O.'s men of the Hampshire Regiment.
• Publisher: Mauritius: Central Printing Establishment, 1913
• Edition: 1st Edition