I have throughout this book endeavoured to do full justice to the Indian Army, both to its British officers and all Indian ranks, but I venture to offer one final word of advice to those in whose hands may lie the future destinies of that Army. This advice has at least one merit, it is based on a very wide and lifelong experience of India, its people, its Provinces, its Frontiers in every direction, and, above all, of its Army. It is this. Whatever you do as regards the inhabitants of India, whatever form of Government they may eventually possess, so long as the Union Jack floats over Hindustan do not reduce the present status of the British officer. You will find Indians as brave, loyal gentlemen and splendid comrades, and hence you may find it difficult to refuse equality of command; but you must make this a cardinal principle, for no argument decked in rhetoric will alter the fact, that you can NEVER replace the British officer in the Indian Army. EPILOGUE In 1919 I was home on short leave, and it happened that the Indian Contingent was in London for the Peace celebrations. I was a spectator when they marched to Buckingham Palace to be reviewed by their beloved King-Emperor, and as they passed on their return from the Palace, although I was in plain clothes, some of the Indian officers and men recognised me amongst the crowd. One of them shouted the Sikh war-cry of “FATEH,” and a number ran out of the marching ranks, saying, “Here is our General.” It was a very short greeting, but it was none the less both moving and splendid. A few days later I visited their Camp at Hampton Court. I will not attempt to describe what took place, but when I left in my motor-car, this at least I clearly knew, that those faithful comrades would never forget their old Commander. It is my final and highest reward. APPENDIX PROMOTIONS AND REWARDS OF OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND MEN OF THE INDIAN ARMY AND DEPARTMENTS WHO SERVED WITH THE ARMY CORPS OR OTHER INDIAN TROOPS OR BRITISH UNITS IN FRANCE PRIOR TO 1916, AND WERE GAZETTED BEFORE 20TH FEBRUARY 1916. _Extracted from Official Lists, “London” and “Indian” Gazettes, etc._ =Victoria Cross= Sepoy KHUDADAD KHAN, 129th Baluchis (severely wounded). Naik DARWAN SING NEGI, 1/39th Garhwal Rifles (severely wounded). Lieutenant F. A. DE PASS, 34th Poona Horse (killed). Lance-Corporal DAVID FINLAY, 2nd Black Watch (killed). Rifleman GOBAR SING NEGI, 2/39th Garhwal Rifles (killed). Private WILLIAM BUCKINGHAM, 2nd Leicestershire Regiment (killed). Rifleman KULBIR THAPA, 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles. Lieutenant J. G. SMYTH, 15th Sikhs. Subadar MIR DAST, I.O.M., 55th Coke’s Rifles (F.F.), attached 57th Rifles (F.F.) (wounded). Corporal ISSY SMITH, 1st Manchester Regiment.