Put that light out

On the 2nd December 1917 my Great Grand Aunt in law’s husband James Othen was severely reprimanded for not complying with an order from an NCO. He had failed to comply with was “turning the light low after being warned” for which he was confined to barracks for three days.

James had enlisted with the 5th Reserve Battalion “The Queens” Royal West Surrey on the 5thOctober 1914 aged 34 years and 6 months and was 5 feet 5 3/4 inches. He was living at 71 Orchard Rise, Dorking, Surrey and was considered physically fit. James was employed as a bricklayer's labourer at that time.

He had been stationed in England since enlisting but in October 1916 James embarked with the 1 / 4th Battalion Royal West Surreys from Devonport arriving in Bombay, India in 21st December 1916.

The Battalion were stationed at Mian Meer in 1916 when heavy garrison duties were compounded by the need to provide instructors for the training of India Defence Units raised at Lahore. In early 1917 a large force of Mahsuds began to raid convoys in South Waziristan and 1/4th Queen’s moved to Tank to join the Waziristan Field Force and take the field against them. Sadly, however, the battalion was so stricken by illness that soon after its arrival it was withdrawn and despatched to Dagshai and Jutogh in the Simla Hills to recover.

James was stationed at Dagshai

Dagshai Hill Barracks

Dagshai is one of the oldest cantonment towns in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is situated on top of a 5689 feet (1734 mtr) high hillock that stands sphinx-like astride the Kalka-Shimla Highway at a point about 11 km from Solan. And was well known for the harsh conditions of it’s military jail.