(Writing from Nowshera on 14th April, 1916 he said that they had arrived there the previous Saturday after a long and tiring journey of 900 miles which took three days and three nights). He adds
But it was well worth the time it took; the scenery in places was grand, especially across some of the rivers, and the hills we had to climb were simply grand. The country is well cultivated all the way up, wheat and barley being chiefly grown; miles and miles of it ready for cutting. We passed all the principle places, including Agra and Delhi. We had six hours to wait at Delhi, so saw a few of the chief places, and also the arrival of Lord Chelmsford, the new Viceroy. The station platform where we alighted was very prettily decorated, and had red carpet to the outer entrance. We were only about eight yards away. When they went out of the station there was a guard of honour and band on the platform. And outside there was a military escort. Trumpeters blew a fanfare as he got to the carriage. His bodyguard, native cavalry with lances , looked grand – dressed in white and purple. Then there were artillery and even more native cavalry. Lady Chelmsford and her daughters followed in carriages behind. The reception took place at the residence.
We stopped at Allahabad, and had seven hours there, so had a look around. At Lahore, which is a large place, and at Amballa we had five hours, and we – also stayed at Rawal Pindi for four hours. This is a lovely place – like a garden city, and the roads and the roses were a picture.
A number of English people are here, and it is quite like home. Soon after my arrival here, I and four more had order to stand by, and we were to have gone to Karachi and embark on the Royal George on the 15th for England. The next morning another wire came through, stopping us again; so I am still waiting, but am afraid I shall not catch that boat if the order did come through.
On Saturday we leave Nowshera for Rawal Pindi, then the battalion goes up to the Murree Hills for the summer. We shall have a four days’ march to the hill, all the baggage going up by mules and camels. The climate is much cooler than at Jhansi. In the distance you can see rows and rows of hills and mountains, with the tops covered with snow and they look grand when the sun is shining on them morning and evening. They are a different class of people here – Pathan, and very cunning, nearly all Mahommedans: they think no more of knifing you than looking at you. All the boys have to be in camp by 7.30 pm. The natives are very tall and well made, rather light in colour – more like a bronzed Englishman. The ___ Lancers are here; they have been here about five years, several Bromley boys belong to them, and quite a fuss was made of our boys.
We are busy getting ready to move on Saturday, and I want to get a day off to run up to Peshawar, about one hour’s train ride from here. I have had a good walk around Nowshera, which is not such a bad place. Along part of the Kabul river bank there is a kind of garden laid out for about two miles, with thousands of rose trees, and all kinds of English flowers, such as iris, violets, geraniums, phlox, petunias, &c., with lovely shrubs and trees, nearly all in bloom. I saw one shrub line the one given to the Queen’s Gardens, A Japanese meddler. It was about 8 ft high, with fruit forming. Is the one alive in the gardens?
I have had a look round Peshawar, which is a very nice place. There are roses galore, Zoological gardens, and also bungalows with flowers and pretty walks, more like home with the green trees and grass, I should not mind being stationed there. I am very glad I came up here to see the more pleasant side of India in the way of scenery, &c. It is much more bearable up here than at Jhansi, but it may not be more healthy, as I expect there is more malarial fever up this way. Just heard we have to leave for the next boat when it goes. It may be soon or some weeks yet.