I lived in Govt House buildings, and played in the grounds of Govt House.
My Uncle, Frank Rae,was Lord Caseys Chauffeur and is pictured here with
the Rolls Royce...around 1943
The Motorcycle and Sidecar led the Rolls on offical outings, pictured with my Uncle.
Muriels child Jennifer...my cousin .
Presidency General Hospital Calcutta, where , before her marriage, my mother was a Senior Ward Sister.
Alexandra Ward.
Jean goes on to write.....
I was born in The Eden Hospital, Calcutta, in Sept 1939, just after War was declared.
My first memories,are of standing
in my iron cot, calling out to my
parents, as I could hear the Air Raid Sirens screaming out. With the
sounds of Planes droning above, and machine gun fire. We all would
run down to the Air Raid shelters. These were cellars underground
where old furniture was stored,and we would huddle under tables, or
whatever in complete darkness until the All Clear Siren
sounded.....very frightening !!
Most of my childhood was spent playing in Govt House Grounds, where small Monkeys clambered on the walls and in the trees. There was also a lovely swing, hanging from a tall tree and masses of rosebushes, and perfumed flowers as well as Banana trees by the gates.
All this was locked in behind a huge
arched Iron Gate guarded
by Sentries in Uniform, armed with rifles. The Govenor's Bodyguard,
Mr
Mc Dougal lived in the building across from us. He had two childred
with whom I played.
If I wanted to go out, the Sentries
would open the Gate, salute me
and see me across the road safely. When the Rolls was garaged I would
climb in
and spend quite some time playing there. I found little stickers with
a Crown on them. There were also Ornate Coaches and
Carriages, ut I could not access these, ry as I may. A wooden
gate fenced these off I tried many times to climb over, but I was
too little and my arms and legs were too small. So I could only peer
through the slats....wishing !!
From this section we found an "Escape Route" out of the premises, by climbing on to a low roof and down some little steps into an alleyway, We arrived out on the street, our adventures took us up and down steps, past servants dwellings, more alleyways.... .Lepers.. pulling others without limbs in wooden carts, and on and on.......a bit scarey at times.
Sometimes , I ventured out on my own, (seven years old) Our Parents had NO idea as to where we went. They .thought we were safely behind the gate!! Time wise, we weren't gone long enough for anyone to miss us.
On Special occasions I would watch the Cavalry. in full uniform, ride out of Govt. House. I recall a Garden Party. Ladies in big hats flowers. A "special icecream custard in a silver dish," So wonderful !! The strong perfume of Exotic flowers in the breeze !!
My Dad took me to Firpos, Cream Horns and Petit Fours.
The YMCA. Old men sitting in big chairs smoking cigars, some playing Ping Pong or cards.
The New Market. A wonderland...!
We went to Darjeeling several times in the "Toy Train "
Anyway, life went on until we left India in 1948, for Australia In the British India Steam Navigation Company's vessel, the MV "Sangola".
All my memories are as vivid,
and as strong as if it were just yesterday.
Even though my time there was not for long.
Jean Rae.
February 2004
