Photo 18/4

Black, post-bound album, measuring 263 x 405 mm, containing prints mounted with corner hinges, mostly three or four to a page and interleaved with tissue. Many of the hinges are torn or missing resulting in loose or poorly mounted prints. The photographs are uncaptioned although several labels throughout the album provide headings for groups of prints. A label on the inside front cover reads: 'Presented to the India Office Library by General Sir Geoffrey Scoones'. There are also five typed labels on the same page which give headings and dates for the various groups of prints in the first part of the album:

1) 'C-in-C with 10 Ind Div. Italy, May, 1945'.

2) 'C-in-C with 8 Ind Div. Italy, May, 1945'.

3) 'C-in-C with Reinforcements, Italy, June, 1945'.

4) 'C-in-C with 4 Ind Div. Greece, June 1945'.

5) 'C-in-C in M.E., June 1945'.

The album records the career of the Commander-in-Chief of India, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, during the Second World War, accompanying Indian Divisions to Italy, Greece and the Middle East, as well as in India. Prints 1-123 Italian villages; parades and inspections; the Defence Minister, Sir Firoz Khan Noon; camp life; military bands; Indian, British and Allied regiments; Print 124 Group portrait with U.S. Army officers; Prints 125-150 Caption reads: 'C-in-C with 1st G.R.C. [Gurkha Rifles], Kangra Valley, June, 1945'. Includes inspections, medal ceremony, mock battle and group portraits; Prints 151-167 Caption reads: 'C-in-C with 10th G.R.C. [Gurkha Rifles], K.V. [Kangra Valley], June, 1945'. Includes medal ceremony, Gurkha Pipe Band, telegraph operators, weavers and meal time; Prints 168-185 Caption reads: 'C-in-C with 7th G.R.C. [Gurkha Rifles], K.V. [Kangra Valley], June, 1945'. Includes parade, medal ceremony and mock battle; Prints 186-206 Caption reads: 'C-in-C with 4th G.R.C. [Gurkha Rifles], K.V. [Kangra Valley], June, 1945'. Includes boxing, military training, telegraph operators, medal ceremony, rifle practice and inspections; Prints 207-322 Caption (at Print 217) reads: 'C-in-C with 23 Div., July, 1945'. Includes medal ceremonies, meeting members of the W.V.S. [Women's Voluntary Service?], addressing troops, armoured personnel carriers, inspections, mechanics at work, assault course training, Women's Auxiliary Corps (India), visiting the wounded, touring barracks, demonstration of flame-throwers, inspecting tank units and Gurkha Paratroopers before and during a jump.