Source: File: Indian cavalry playing football at the front 1915.jpg, 2015. Photos show Indian soldiers' lives behind
World War I trenches. The Original can be seen at:
scroll.in/article/668737/photos-show-indian-soldiers-lives-behind-world-war-i-trenches
[Accessed: 25 May 2015].
A French village was to witness a
rare sight,
On a piece of ground where occurred
a football
Match, to be between 18th
Bengal Lancers
And Indian 3rd
Skinners Horse Cavalry.
In shirtsleeves an officer acted as
referee,
As linemen positions were to be
observed
By two Sikhs – from a distance
sounds
Travelled over hills.
The front line guns rumbled on as
actions
On a temporary pitch, surrounded by
rows
Of Indians, gathered to watch
the game;
With gun noise ignored.
A scene was set of an
impressive sight
Of Indian men with their ‘noble
turbans’ - all
With enjoyable humor; officers from
both
Regiments became excited.
As at any match of football, were
debates
Over rival teams, with individuals
who may
Save the game for their side - all
turbans
And puttees temporarily
discarded.
Indian players proved selves adept
at British
Institution, possibly outside their normality
Of experience – distinction between
ranks
Was seen to blur.
Tunic and collars put aside, as
the audience
Cheered and jeered their adopted teams
-
Camaraderie and fitness of both
cavalry
Regiments being evident in play.
While cavalry had experience of
trench
War, in such a static fight, these
regiments
Longed for enemy retreat, when on
horse
They would take the charging lead.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Indian Footballers – a Battle
Front Incident. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 25 May. P.6. Col.4. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11624538/Daily-Telegraph-May-25-1915.html
[Accessed: 25 May 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 25 May 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1India
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