Wartime experiences of Charles Hague — Part 6 Letters to The “Yorkshire Observer” News Letter

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Wartime experiences of Charles Hague — Part 6 Letters to THE “YORKSHIRE OBSERVER” NEWS LETTER
By
Charles Hague

THE “YORKSHIRE OBSERVER” NEWS LETTER No.5 February to June 1945

Letter received from Charlie Hague, in India, dated 1 April, 1945:-

Just a few lines to convey my warmest thanks to you all for the welcome enclosure and the latest edition of the News Letter. The illustrations have certainly added lustre to this issue, which I think is first class.
I was pleased to hear that Fred Thompson had arrived home on leave, looking fit and well. I am hoping that by the time I become eligible for leave to the U.K., the wheels of the Reallocation of Manpower scheme will have been set in motion. Should it be so, I would not take leave, as I most certainly don't like the thoughts of having to return to this country. Once I got out I would want to stay out.
As I write this the temperature is 105 degrees F in the shade and I am preparing myself for the inevitable "Turkish Bath" I experienced last summer. Salt water has soon found its way into the daily menu. At lunchtime the bowls are filled and the orderly sergeant on duty makes sure that everyone takes his dose.
Since I last wrote I have been on three shooting expeditions for wild game and the "bags" have been very good. The majority of the game is blue bull, sambhur, cheetah, and chinkara, all very good eating, especially the latter, and most welcome change to the issue meat we get-mostly goat, Quite a few panthers have been brought in from these shoots, but I haven't had the fortune to have been with any of these parties.
There was an accident occurred on one of these expeditions when they wounded a panther and they had to go track it down. An Indian who accompanied the party unfortunately came upon it unexpectedly and was badly mauled before it was finally disposed of.
We have seen quite a few panthers and leopards but have never been able to get within range to make sure of a "kill". I don't fancy stalking a wounded beast.
I will conclude with best wishes to all at Hall Ings.

Pr-BR

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