The North West Frontier

Until India obtained independence and was partitioned in 1947, it was one of the most heavily garrisoned parts of the British Empire and was a regular posting for British regiments. The regular battalions of both Surrey regiments spent many years on tours of duty in the Raj. Although India was generally peaceful, the mountainous North West Frontier Province, bordering Afghanistan, saw many uprisings by the Pashtun (or Pathan) tribes and was considered a place where men could engage in some 'real' soldiering in very difficult terrain. In 1935, too, the town of Quetta, was wrecked by a devastating earthquake, and the 1^st Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey), helped in the aftermath.

A barren mountain defile on the North West Frontier.

Video Duration 1:06

Captain Henry Barker
Henry Barker, 1^st Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, remembers the terrible earthquake in Quetta on the North West Frontier of India (now Pakistan) in 1935.

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Video Duration 0:38

In-Pensioner John Kershaw, late Sergeant
John Kershaw, 1^st Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, recalls the perilous nature of service in the mountainous terrain of the North West Frontier.

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Video Duration 3:59

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Lowry
Mike Lowry, 1^st Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, recalls being wounded while fighting against hostile tribesmen on the North West Frontier in 1940.

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