NAM.1991-09-5-1

First of four sound cassettes: oral history interview with Col Patrick Massey MC recalling his service with 4th Hodson's Horse 1933-1942, 5/10 Balcuch Regiment in Burma 1942-1945, Viceroy's Body Guard 1945-1947 and the 1st Royal Dragoons 1947-1958. Patrick Massey went to India from Sandhurst in 1933 and served his year on the Unattached List with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. In 1934 he joined Hodson's Horse and describes his life in the Regiment, mechanisation and the part played by the Regiment in Iraq in 1941. He was sent back to India to attend the Staff College at Quetta and was then posted to the Military Training Department, but, wishing to see active service, he transferred to the 5/10 Baluch Regiment who were sent to Burma. At the end of the war he was recalled from operations against the Dacoits in Burma and offered the command of the Viceroy's Body Guard, which he accepted. Col Massey describes the effects of the partition at Independence, both on the regiment and the civilian population. He returned to England and in 1949 secured a posting to the 1st Royal Dragoons, whom he later commanded, serving with them in Germany and the Canal Zone before retiring in 1958. Interview conducted on 12 September 1991.

World War Two (1939-1945)