1915

22^nd June 1915.  Captain M.G. Fisher, 1 officer and 50 other ranks, left Poona to escort 1,200 Turkish prisoners of war from Mesopotamia by sea from Bombay to Rangoon, proceeding to the Prisoners of War Camp at Thyetmyo.  After the completion of this duty the escort proceeded to Singapore, brought the Indian mutineers from Singapore to Calcutta, and thence to Madras, returning by rail tp Poona on the 24^th July.

1

Letter from Lt. Col R.C. TARSY to HQ 404 Area                                        IA

Letter from Col. A. USER to Lt. Col RC TARSY                                         IB

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                                      IA

“G” Branch                                                                                                     SEAC

HQ 404 L of C Area                                                                                       19 May 45

Subject TTD

1. I have recently come to this Command from another and more progressive theatre.
2. I am amazed to find that here DDT is still being used instead of TTD, which is 100% more effective.  Att. Is a letter from Col A. User eloquising this wonderful new insecticide.
3. I am writing, therefore, to ask that a directive be issued through Staff Channels ordering TTD to be taken into immediate use.
4. The Gun, Flit, INDIA, 1945, Mk. VI with a slight modification to the nozzle, is suitable for spraying TTD.  The modification is necessary owing to the viscosity of TTD.  Since the Gun, Flit, INDIA, 1945, Mk VI is still a controlled store, G. SD sanction will be required, I understand, for their release.

R.C. Tarsy

Lt. Col.

R.C. TARSY

IB

PUKHA BUNGALOW

SWETHIPORE

From Col. A. USER                                                                                       15 May 45

Dear Stinker,

Just a line to let you know what a wonderful stuff your TTD is.  I found that flies, mosquitos, etc curl up as soon as they saw it and a startle-de-buzz which flew into a mild concentration was immediately pranged.  Stronger concentrations prove fatal to rats, mice and even cats.  After my room has been sprayed thoroughly no animal will go near it for a week and I find that after half an hour in the room, I myself develop a very gay light headed feeling.  The advantages of the army adopting TTD are obvious and since fair concentrations have a not dissimilar effect on humans to alcohol a considerable reduction should be able to be made in the liquor ration without hardship, with a consequent  saving of shipping space.

Yours very sincerely

1. User

2

“Q” Branch

1. At IA is a letter from Lt. Col R.C. TARSY which is self explanatory.  Unfortunately this Branch is unaware of the appointment held by Lt. Col TARSY nor do they know what credence should be placed in his statements.
2. Although the letter is addressed to G Branch it is felt that this is correctly a matter of Q policy and is therefore passed to you for consideration.
3. Provided that “Q” branch and MED favour the adoption of the use of T.T.D., that ADOS confirms that supplies of Guns, Flit, INDIA, 1945 Mark VI are available, and that ADME can make the necessary modifications and that S & T confirm that T.T.D. can be supplied this branch will consider the sanction of the release of Guns, Flit, INDIA, 1945 Mark VI.
4. Will you please therefore consider this matter and, if the scheme is viewed favourably by all concerned, minute back to this Branch for final sanction of release of  Guns, Flit, INDIA, 1945 Mark VI.

G Branch

24 May 1945                                                                                       P.W. Daniell Maj.      

for Lt. Col. GS.

MINUTE SHEET No. II

3

AG Branch

With ref to min No. 2 and the correspondence referred to therein, you will no doubt agree that before we proceed further with this case we should know more of Col. TARSY’s antecedents.  Can you for example give us any infm. regarding his Regt. or Corps, or say what appt. he holds.  A brief sketch of his military background would assist.

It has been suggested that his initials have been confused with his religious denomination and that his name should, in fact, read “Lt. Col. TARSY RC”.  You may wish to ask Ch to comment on this?

                                                                                                E.O. Martin  Maj.

25 May                                                                                    for AAQMG

4

G(I)

It is agreed that the two signatories of pp IA & IB require to be investigated and it is suggested that this might well be done through security channels at this stage in view of the necessity of not alarming a possible enemy agent.  It occurs to us that this substance may already have been brought surreptitiously into this HQ and be the cause of the air of somnolence which has been observed in some branches of late.

It is also thought that an inspection of the list of shareholders in the firm manufacturing T.T.D. might be very revealing.  At the same time an inspection of their last balance sheet might be made, and if the report were favourable this would have the happy result of enabling some officers to get in on the ground floor before placing orders for large quantities of T.T.D. to be bought by the State.  Could a copy of this report please be sent to A branch?                                                                                GP 25/5

5

Letter from Lt Col RC TARSY to HQ 404 Area.                                                      5A

CONFIDENTIAL  5A

No XYZ/10/2

No 1 Special Insectological Research Section

SEAC

“G” Branch

HQ 404 L of C Area                                                                                       20 May 45

Subject TTD

1. I regret that the number and address were inadvertently omitted from my letter to you dated 19 May 45, on the above subject.  (IA)
2. I am therefore writing in case you should be unaware of the august appointment which I have the honour to hold and also of the correct address to which to reply.
3. You are doubtless aware that Mr. Churchill takes a personal interest in the work of this Section and I have instructions to make a report direct to him if I meet any lack of cooperation.

R.C. Tarsy

Lt. Col

Comd.

(R.C. TARSY)

6

Letter from Messrs Share Pusher & Diddle to Capt. AN Officer                              6A

6A

Messrs Share Pusher & Diddle

666 Throgmorton Street

London EC 1

7 May 45

Dear Sir,

We are in receipt of your letter of 15 Apr. 45 and are pleased to note that you have a further Rs 2 lakhs which you wish us to invest for you.

We would strongly advise you to invest a large part, if not all, of this sum in British Insecticides (1944) Ltd.  This company specialises in the manufacture of TTD in which the Government are interested.  At the moment small contracts have been placed by the Government but large contracts from the War Department are shortly expected thanks to the good offices of the chairman’s brother Lt. Col. R.C. Tarsy.

Since this information is not at present common knowledge and last year the company paid no dividends at all, their shares stand at a ridiculously low price and are bound to show a very handsome profit.

A certain Col. A. User of Swethipore is also using his good offices to try to stir the Indian Army from its Rip Van Winkle slumbers.  The Colonel recently invested a very substantial sum in the company.

We shall be pleased if in due course you will intimate your wishes in this matter.

Yours faithfully

Share Pusher & Diddle

Capt. A.N. Officer

HQ 404 L of C Area

SEAC

MINUTE SHEET No III

5

Letter from Lt Col R C TARSY to HQ 404 Area                                                             5A

6

Letter from Messrs Share, Pusher & Diddle to Capt A N OFFICER                               6A

7

“Q” Branch (thro’ A.G. Branch.)

1. At minute 4 will be seen an attempt by AG Branch, in their usual manner, to pass the baby.
2. By a happy concatenation of circumstances this Branch is able to supply the answers required.
3. Enclosure 5A is a letter from Lt. Col. RC TARSY which appears to establish his bona fides as doubtless AG Branch will now have NO difficulty in turning up his personal records.
4. At 6A is a letter recently received by an officer of this Branch from his Stock Brokers which makes it appear that British Insecticides (1944) Ltd. is a good bet.  Capt. OFFICER has apparently been very fortunate on the race course recently.

G Branch                                                                                             P.W. Daniell.  Major

25 May 44                                                                                           For Lt. Col GS.

8

Extract from “Who’s Who” 1927                                                                               8A

8A

Extract from “WHO’S WHO” (1927)

TARSY, Major RUDOLPH CARBINE

            e.s. of Capt. Hon. D’Arcy Tarsy, 5^th s. of 12^th Earl of UPOVER

            b. 1865. Educated Eaton & Ashton-under-Lyme University.

            m. 1908. MAISIE DOATS (of Daly’s).  Issue 2 d.

                        (1) UHWATT X. TARSY (unmarried)

                        (2) FAN. TARSY m. 1927. –USHER (origins unknown) no issue

            Commissioned Great War as Major November 1916

Resigned commission Feb 1917 (after the Bagshaw Report on Abuse of Kings Commissions)

Business:- Company Promoter, Commercial Traveller etc etc.

Author of “Get Rich Quick With Me” (500 copies)  “You Too Can Sell Gold Mines” (Limited Edition)  “Five Years At Government Expense” etc etc.

Recreations:- Amateur Chemistry, Selling Things, Studying Handwriting etc etc

Clubs:- Con Man’s, Bag O’Nails, 43 etc etc

MINUTE SHEET No IV

9

“G” Branch (Thro “Q”)

1. So far from passing the baby this Branch has been indulging in fervid research in order to render assistance in the matter.
2. This research has revealed (1) the history of Lt. Col (sic) R.C. TARSY as contained in “Who’s Who” (1927 Edn) (2) that his name does not appear in any current Army List & if this is not surprising considering his age, it is peculiar how he acquired his present rank. (3) Lt. Col. A. User’s name does not appear in A.L. either but it is noted that Col TARSY’s younger daughter married a man called according to “Who’s Who”  “—– USHER”
3. In view of Lt. Col Tarsy’s hobbies it seems quite probable that his son-in-law is innocent & that no such person as Lt. Col. User exists.
4. In spite of the evidence to the contrary contained in “Who’s Who” (1927 Edn) this Branch feels that Lt. Col Tarsy may also be non-existent.  Can “G” Branch produce anything other than documentary evidence to prove that he exists (e.g. a lock of hair, photograph etc.)?
5. Suggest thorough investigation through “I” channels but ‘S & T’ should be asked re “T.T.D.”, as if it exists & if it contains all the properties claimed for it, Officers Messes, bed rooms & offices should be sprayed at the earliest.
6. Please keep this Branch informed as disciplinary action may be nec^y.

25 May 45                                                                               GH Burton Capt.

                                                                                                S.C. (Legal) A Branch

                                                                                                Rev***********

Minute Sheet No V

10

G. Branch                   Ref previous noting on this case:-

I think you will agree that the time has come when it will be in our own best interests and, incidentally, in the interest of the nation as a whole to accept Col. TARSY’s antecedents.

Subject to your agreement I propose, immediately, to raise with the services concerned the question of the adoption of T.T.D. throughout this theatre.

The shares have risen to 30/- since Tuesday.

28 May                                                                                    E.O. Martin Maj.

                                                                                                DAQMG

11

Q Branch

We are in complete agreement with your minute 10.

No 1 S I R Section is in this Area and we are at a loss to understand AG Branch’s obstructive attitude, unless it is that they are playing for time while they raise all the money they can to invest in British Insecticides (1944) Ltd.

In view of para 3 of Lt. Col TARSY’s letter at 5A it would be criminal folly to delay consulting the services any longer unless you like very high power rockets

G Branch                                                                                 P.W. Daniell Maj.

28 May 45                                                                               for Lt. Col. GS

12

Copy

Letter from Mr. Thaddeus Toombs to Messrs Freeman Hardy & Willis                   12A

12 A

Thaddeus Toombs

Circus Proptr

Performing Animals Provided: Tame Tigers for Children’s Parties

Assorted Snakes

21 Gasworks Villas

Congleton

To Messrs Freeman Hardy & Willis Solicitor London EC

Sirs,

 I want you should write to that dirty dog Kernel Tarsy about what he done with my performing fleas & cockroaches what will sham dead when they smells aniseed.

He said he wanted to borer them for a demmys deemu demmstre to show the War Offis.  Tell him if I don’t get them back Tuesday I’ll have the law on him.  And another thing, what’s he done to our Fanny, the world famous equestrienne?  She don’t eat, can’t sleep & fell off her horse in the ring last Saterday.  I’ll now draw to a close.

Yours respectfully, sirs,

Thaddeus Toombs

Minute Sheet No VI

13

ST

Could a sample of T.T.D. be obtained & submitted to analysis?  I’ve always been interested in analysis & synthesis (as an amateur you understand – remind me to give you my recipe for home brewed scotch-style fire water) & it occurs to me that an analysis in this case might reveal something.  Why I suggest this is because my solicitors, Freeman Hardy & Willis have sent me in strict confidence a copy of a letter they have received from Thaddeus Toombs, Circus Proprietor which seems to have a bearing on the subject.  Yes?  No?  What do you think?  (How are you fixed for gin, by the way?  I can give you a recipe for distilling it from your bath-water, in the privacy of your own bedroom.  Enclose 4 as in stamps to cover packing & postage.)

                                                                                                            Q 30 May 45

1915

1^st May 1915.  “A” and “C” Companies, under the command of Captain J.E.C. Graham, proceeded to Kirkee as the Detachment for providing the British guards at the Arsenal and Ammunition Factory, in relief of the 2/4^th Wiltshire Regiment.  Musketry was commenced by “B” and “D” Companies on the Wanowrie range.  Owing to the very large number of recruits in the Battalion, the majority of the men had to fire both Table A and Table B, which necessitated firing on the range until the end of May 1916.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

12^th APRIL, 1915.

233 – Acting Brigade Compensation Officer –

            Lieutenant A.P. Ker is appointed Acting Brigade Compensation Officer from this date.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 123^rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

30^th MARCH, 1915.

207 – District Court-Martial –

            The District Court Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Order No. 184 of March 20^th, 1915, of which Major P.B. Norris (3^rd Battalion Tyneside Scottish) was President, is hereby dissolved.

208 – Musketry –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Musketry Regulations 1909, Part 1, Reprint 1914, Paragraph 489, which applies both to Miniature Ranges and the Open Range.   

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123^rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                        Mit luft Post

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 7916

                                                                                    No U.K. Postmark.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Breightmet, Bolton

                        Strasse:          1068 Bury Rd

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE         

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

31-10-44

Sweetheart.  Just a few lines to say that I am still keeping fit and well, and I hope that you are the same, and that you have had more letters from me, since you wrote last.  You should have by now, as I have been writing two letters and four cards a month.  I have not had any more letters from you up to the time of writing this.  Well, Darling what is it like in Bolton now that all the lights are on?  I bet it is alright.  How did you like Freddie’s girl, I thought she was very nice when I met her.  How is Betty going on, I hope she is keeping O.K.  give her mother my regards.  How is your mother keeping give her my love.  Also my best wishes to all at Prestwich, and to all at Bury Rd and Tonge Fold.  It won’t be long now Darling before we are together again, so keep that turkey warm, and keep your chin up, and do not worry about me.  This is all for now Darling so I will say cheerio Sweetheart.  I love you, more than ever.  Yours always

            Ernest

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Sunday 24^th December `1944

Sailed for UK on Stirling Castle 28 days leave.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

                                                                                    Stamp PASSED P.W. 7765

                                                                                    No U.K. Postmark.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON 1068 Bury Rd

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street Breightmet

                        Kreis:              LANCASHIRE          Bolton

                        Land;              ENGLAND.

Gebuhrenfrei!

3-10-44

My Darling.  Here I am again with another letter but what to write about I do not know.  There is not much to write about here, only that I am going on alright, and keeping as well as I possibly can.  How are you going on dear I hope that you are keeping in good health and looking after yourself, and keeping your chin up.  How is your mother and my dad and the rest of them, I hope that they are all well.  Give ma my love and my regards to the rest of the family.  I have not had any mail from you up to the time of writing this letter.  I filled in a form about a week ago asking for the credits due to me, to sent on to you.  I suppose that you will have heard something about it by the time you get this.  I am looking forward to the time when we are able to be together again, and I hope that it will not be long.  I love you Darling more than ever.  Cheerio sweetheart and God bless you.  Yours always.

            Ernest

xxxxxxx

On back

Absender.

Vor und Zuname: Sgt. E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136. L.7.

Lager-Bezeichnung :  Kriegsgefangenenlager der  Luftwaffe Nr 3

Deutschland (Allemagne)

W

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                  

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 33

Stamp. Postmark Little Lever Bolton Lancs. 6 DE 44. 

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 7754

Gebuhrenfrei!

                                                1068 Bury Rd.

                        Empfangsort:  Little Lever Nr BOLTON Breightmet

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street  Bolton

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor und Zuname:

F/Sgt E. Wilkinson

Gefangennummer: 136.L.7

Lager-Bezeichnung:

            M.-Stammlager Luft 3.

Deutschland (Germany)

W

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 12.10.44

Sweetheart.  Just another card to let you know I am still keeping well, and I hope that you are the same.  Give my love to your mother, and look after yourselves, won’t you.  This is all for now all my love to you Darling, and God bless you. I love you.  Your forever

  Ernest

 xxxxxx

No. 4707 2 DEC 1914

NOTES ON THE USE OF PLANE TABLES AND LARGE

SCALE MAPS WITH ARTILLERY.

1. The following notes are not to be taken as superseding any existing instructions.  They are only intended to explain the methods by which a plane table can be used for ranging in conjunction with a map on a sufficiently large scale.

• If the position of the target can be located from information supplied from an aeroplane, it, and the position of the battery, can be marked on the map and the range and bearing from the magnetic meridian can be measured, and the line of fire given to the guns, or, if the map is mounted on a plane table and then oriented as described below, the line on the map joining the gun with the target will point towards the target, and will be the line of fire.

• On all the Belgian 1/20000 maps the direction of the magnetic north and the angle which it makes with the true north are given, but it is always better to plot the direction of the magnetic north from a meridian when possible.  It must be remembered that the right and left sheet lines of a map are not true north and south, unless these sheet lines are meridians, which is by no means always the case.  It is not the case in the large scale maps of Belgium nor in the Ordnance Survey maps.  The meridians are by definition north and south, and when they are drawn across the map there is no difficulty.  In the case of the 1/20000 maps of Belgium the meridian lines are not drawn across, but in the “B” series the latitude and longitude is given in the margin.  A line joining any two points of the same longitude on the north and south margins will always point true north.

• It is not possible to orient a plane table accurately by the sole use of a trough compass.  The orientation given by a compass must always be considered as an approximation only.  Not only is the local value of the magnetic variation always an uncertain quantity, but each individual trough compass has its own error, and, even if these sources of inaccuracy did not exist, the compass is in itself incapable of any exact setting.
• Draw a north and south line across the map by joining corresponding longitude marks on the upper and lower sheet lines.
• Set off the magnetic variation by a protractor from any convenient point on this line.  The variation is given on the margin of the sheet.
• Set the long edge of the compass box along the magnetic meridian so drawn, and turn the table until the needle points to the centre mark.

The following rules should be observed in setting up a plane table for ranging purposes:-

• Where it is possible to set up the table in prolongation of two well-marked objects, if the sight rule is put on these on the map and the table turned until the sight covers them, the table is then set.
• But if no such opportunity occurs, set up the plane table as carefully as possible by the trough compass.  Then if the table is near any well-marked objects, draw rays to those objects, pace the distances, mark them backwards from the representation of the objects on the map, and the mean position may be taken as correct.  To complete the orientation of the table it is now only necessary to set a sight rule along the line joining the position of the table with any visible distant object marked on the map, and move the table until distant object comes on to the sight.
• It there is no near object to measure from, proceed as follows: – Set up the table by the compass, and resect from three points which should be a mile or two away.  The method is given in Chapter XIV. (edition 1912) of the Manual (see Fig 19 and explanation).  Chapters VII. and IX. Of that Manual should also be carefully read.

• The squares on the Belgian map only fix the position of a point within a square, the sides of which are 500 yards in length, though the descriptions N., S., E., or W., or N.E., S.W., &c., define it more accurately.   If greater accuracy is required the decimal system may be used.  The south-west corner of the smallest squares being taken as origin, and the sides of these squares being considered as divided into 10 equal parts, a point may be accurately defined.

A.

  Thus in this square the point “A” would be 6 3, six parts being measured along the southern and three parts along the western edge.  So far as is known this decimal system has been tried in the field, but has not yet been definitely adopted.

• The following instruments and stores have been issued to all heavy batteries with the Field Army: –
• Plane table.
• Trough compass.
• Sight rule or alidade.
• One sheet of celluloid or gelatine for protecting the map from rain.
• Pencils and indiarubber.
• Indiarubber straps and drawing pins for fixing the map to the plane table.
• Circular transparent protractors.
• A wooden scale graduated to 10,000 yards on the 1/20000 scale on one edge, and 1/40000 scale on the other.

• The following method of locating a target is possible under certain conditions, but the practical value of the system has not yet been proved on service, and it must be considered as being still in the experimental stage:-

Set up two plane tables at two known positions on the map and orient them by one of the methods explained above.  Each observer then fixes a pin in that point on the map which corresponds to his position on the ground, and pivoting the sight rule on the pin, follows the course of the aeroplane.  When vertically over the target the aeroplane gives a pre-arranged signal such as a sudden dip or smoke ball.  At this signal each observer draws a line along his sight rule which will then pass from his position through the target, and the intersection of these two lines fixes the position of the target.  The angles made between these lines and the line joining the positions of the two observers should be measured with a protractor, and communicated at once to each other and to Divisional Headquarters, who should also have a map on which the position of the plane tables in marked.

If the angle made by the two intersecting lines is much less than 30 degrees the error in the position of the target is likely to be considerable.  The best results will be obtained when the rays intersect at right angles.

Greater accuracy can be obtained when theodolites are substituted for plane tables, but the object in each case is the same, viz., to measure the angles made by the lines joining the observers and the target with the line joining the observers.

It is clearly desirable that in each case the observers should be connected by telephone, as it is then possible to make sure that the angles are observed at the same moment, but provided the signal from the aeroplane is unmistakable this does not appear to be absolutely necessary.

It is usual for the aviator to come down and indicate on the map the position of the targets he has observed.  It may happen, however, that although able to see the target he may not be able accurately to locate it on the map, owing to a lack of detail, either on the ground or on the map.  This would often be the case in open spaces such as Salisbury Plain, and, on scales smaller than 2 inches to 1 mile, the detail would often be insufficient to enable the aviator to locate his target on the map.  With good observers, the method just described should fix the position with considerable accuracy on maps on the 1-inch, or even smaller scales.  An observing section is now at the front equipped with plane tables and theodolites, and it is hoped that reports on the success attained will soon be available.

Another small advantage possessed by this method is that the position of the target is known at once without waiting for the return of the aeroplane, provided there is good telephone communication between the observers and Divisional Headquarters.