Photo Gallery
Here we see photos from Wyn and Irene’s early lives, as well as when they joined the Army. In 1945, towards the end of the war, Wyn was sent to India.
The country was marked by intense political ferment, with the Indian National Congress demanding immediate independence and the British government facing mounting pressure to address nationalist aspirations. Wyn sympathised with these demands, so when he was assigned to an Indian regiment, he learnt the language and took every opportunity to explore the country.
In 2024 Cherry and her sister Liz went to India to follow in their father’s footsteps. Their most memorable trip was to a Muslim Temple, the Haji Malang Dargah, that Wyn had visited 79 years previously.
Historical Context
In 1945, towards the end of World War II, India was marked by intense political ferment, with the Indian National Congress demanding immediate independence and the British government facing mounting pressure to address nationalist aspirations. Simultaneously, the Indian National Army trials and the Royal Indian Navy mutiny stirred public unrest, while communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims were escalating, foreshadowing the eventual partition.
When Wyn was posted to India, unlike most British officers he sympathised with India’s struggle for independence. He learnt Urdu, read Gandhi and Nehru, and took every opportunity to explore the country.
These are some of the photos he took and how the same locations look in 2024.
1945 The needle shaped peak
2024 The needle shaped peak
1945 Haji Malang Dargah
2024 Haji Malang Dargah