Home
● Sitemap ●
Reference ●
Last
updated: 11-March-2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there are any technical
problems, factual inaccuracies or things you have to add,
then please contact the group
under info@calcutta1940s.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calcuttans have always had a soft spot for
sport, even if it is just watching and arguing about it, if one cannot play
oneself. The mix of cultures from
traditional Indians via colonial public school expats
to young nationalists intent on steeling their bodies, has led to a wide
variety of sports being played in the city.
The fact that the forties brought a large number of unattached men into
the city also helped with the upsurge in sports in those days. Calcutta in the
1940s played host to a large variety of sports, and taking part n them was an
important part in people’s social life, helping them relax from the stresses
and strains of life in those days.
[The more important sport such a cricket,
football and racing have got their own pages.]
Boxing. Don't miss the G.I. boxing bouts scheduled fortnightly from October through June at the Calcutta Football Club. They're a must on your spectator list. And if you have that carnal urge to swap punches with other G.I.'s in the ring, see your own Special Service Officer or contact the Special Service Division, Hindusthan Building. New talent is welcome. Recommended to keep your body in shape and your fighting spirit in the chewing-nails stage.
Cycling. Try renting a bike for fun, for exercise, or for seeing something of the city. S. A. Rahman, 3 Kyd St., at annas 3 per hour or Yagub Kahmas, 7 British India St.
Golf. Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Tollygunge, on Golf Club Rd. No greens fee for E.M. May play Monday morning through Friday morning. Saturday until 1100 hours. Caddies As. 8, Ball-boy As. 5. Limited number of sets of clubs for rent at Re. 1. Officers: Rs.2 greens fee. Rs. 3 on Sat., Sun., Holidays. Old course during week, new course Sundays. Re. 1 for rental of clubs (limited number). As. 8 for caddies, As. 5 for Ball-boys. Caddies furnish a ball. For both E.M. and officers a canteen is available for cold drinks and grill items. Showers and towels.
Racing. The King of Sports, horse racing. Royal Calcutta Turf Club, actual racing at the Calcutta Race Course at the southern end of the Maidan. Racing meets start 18 Nov. and continue every Sat. (plus holiday meets) until March - 25 days of racing in all. Officers: No membership necessary; seats in Paddocks available at Rs. 5; all privileges of members except rental of boxes and member's bar - Military bar on top, however. E.M.: Seats in second enclosure at As. 8. tea and cake served free as a token of club's appreciation. (Racing at Tollygunge Race Course from July until the Calcutta Course opens.)
Riding. Ballygunge Riding School, near Ballygunge Maidan, 1 Bediadanga Rd. Rs. 3 for 1st hour, Rs. 2 for each added hour or part thereof. Call Park 1162 to reserve a horse.
Swimming. Calcutta Swimming Club, 1 Strand Rd. Officers can secure temporary memberships at Rs. 10 for 30 days. E.M. can make arrangements through the ARC Clubs to swim 0900-1200 Monday through Saturday (Sat. only 1100). Two fine pools - unusually large. Sanitary.
Skittles. The closest approach to our American indoor sport of bowling is Skittles, a different kind of bowling which lacks the challenge of our game but which is good fun. Try it, you bowlers who are lonely for those alleys, try it at the Swiss Club, 42 Theatre Rd. E.M. can go on Monday and Weds. through the ARC Clubs. Officers can go out on their own.
Tennis. Y.W.C.A. Hostel, 1 Middleton Row. Tennis courts, rackets, balls, shoes, shirts - all free to E.M. or to officers. Every day except Thursday night. Sundays closed until 1600 hours.
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
Army & Navy Stores, Ltd., 41 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday. Games and sport equipment.
Pioneer Sports, Ltd., 25 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1900 weekdays, 0900-1930 Saturday. Complete line of sporting goods except for tennis and golf balls. All item manufactured by concern itself. (Note: Do not expect Indian-made equipment to match that made back in the States.)
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Cricket in Calcutta is rather a
large field we have decided to provide a link to a separate (sub-)page at:
http://www.calcutta1940s.org/3042502dailysportcricket.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Football in Calcutta is rather a
large field we have decided to provide a link to a separate (sub-)page at:
http://www.calcutta1940s.org/3042504dailysportfootball.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Horse Racing in Calcutta was
rather a large field in the 1940s we have decided to provide a link to a
separate (sub-)page at:
http://www.calcutta1940s.org/3042506dailysporthorses.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't miss the G.I. boxing bouts scheduled fortnightly from October through June at the Calcutta Football Club. They're a must on your spectator list. And if you have that carnal urge to swap punches with other G.I.'s in the ring, see your own Special Service Officer or contact the Special Service Division, Hindusthan Building. New talent is welcome. Recommended to keep your body in shape and your fighting spirit in the chewing-nails stage.
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[I remember] the excitement of Sports Day, having numbers sewn onto your vest. The Head Prefect (Bowen?) breaking the school high jump record that had stood at 5 feet 7.5 inches for years.
The Old Boys Race over 100 yards. It was run on a handicap system, a yard start for every year since the entry left school. It was won every year by some sprightly old gentleman that left the school in the 19th.th century.
Looking through Stanley Prins’ “Summoned by the Bell”, I recognized the slide that was part of the Obstacle Race. This was a rectangular wooden box, that the participants slid down. The top surface had a few large holes cut in the top surface. This provided ventilation and allowed a teacher to check that a logjam wasn’t developing.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Gardiner)
[I remember] Roller skate races around the verandas and corridors of the main block. The brave ones cut the corner by leaping across the outside of the vertical drainpipe.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Gardiner)
Amongst the teachers I recollect, was the aged but elegant Mrs. Briant who gave our first lessons in Urdu, Miss Houseden our class teacher in the final year, Mr. Nestor our teacher in Science and Mr. Sumption our mathematic teacher. The latter two were eminent hockey players and stewarded a team which made a mark at the Calcutta Hockey League. Mr Newton Fritchley and Mr. Hicks, who later was to be principal were our teachers who left a marked impression on us by their novel; methods of teaching.
(source: “Schooldays” Leaflet provenance currently unknown)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with S.V. Mazumder)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and the club house of the Bow Bazar Byayam Samity and the Salendra Memorial Swimming Club: on the north is the club house of the College Square Swimming Club and on the east, the Bengali War Memorial. The Square has a large swimming pool equipped with spring boards, diving towers and other modern swimming facilities; it is the venue of frequent swimming championships, and many an endurance record has been set up in its waters.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Calcutta Swimming Club, 1 Strand Rd. Officers can secure temporary memberships at Rs. 10 for 30 days. E.M. can make arrangements through the ARC Clubs to swim 0900-1200 Monday through Saturday (Sat. only 1100). Two fine pools - unusually large. Sanitary.
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
Cornwallis Square, one of the finest in north Calcutta. It has a large oval-shaped swimming pool, equipped with diving towers, spring boards, special swimming tracks and other facilities for aquatic sports and championships. On the east is the club house of the Central Swimming Club and that of the National Swimming Association (affiliated to the Royal Life Saving Society of London), […] The Square is reserved for ladies during the hours of 5 to 6. 30 a. m. in the summer and 6 to 7. 30 a. m. in the winter.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
I visited
Calcutta again whilst I was in Ranchi. This time I
went with two sergeants, Sergeant Ross and another sergeant. Sergeant Ross was
a glass blower at Pilkington's, in Liverpool. He was
a single chap, a proper tearaway. We were billeted at the racecourse up near Howrah Bridge. If you got up early enough, you could queue
up and get tickets for different swimming clubs and have transport to them as
well. As I was pretty good at getting up in the mornings, I'd be down there
first thing to get these free tickets. There was the Calcutta Swimming Club,
the Saturday Club and the Tolegunge Club. Quite a
select body of people went to the Tolegunge Club, but
we got in free of charge and even got free coffee. It was in these swimming
clubs that I learnt to swim. I had two weeks holiday in Calcutta and it was a nice change.
(source: A7534578 Memories of a Bombardier 1940 -1946 (Part 5) at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
The rather exclusive Calcutta swimming Club opened its doors to the pilots — Officers only — the Sergeant Pilots were not included! Whilst not on readiness Calcutta’s bright lights offered many temptations in the form of bars and nightclubs and The Saturday Club with its indoor pool, library and bar allowed them to become members too. Even more fun was had at The 300 Club where in the evenings the misguided Jazz band allowed The Woodpecker Jazz fiends to play during their break! Winky Moorhouse played beautiful Jazz piano, Connie played the drums and Kit Kitley the bass.
(source: A6784653 MORE TALES FROM THE WOODPECKERS - GORDON CONWAY and 136 Fighter Squadron Calcutta 1942 at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
With regular trips into our local bazzar at Jagatdal, I made a number of good friends - young 'goondas', like myself, there was Gupta, Kumar and wild Choudry ; we were all keen anglers and spent hours together fishing at various mill 'tankies' and, when well away from parental supervision, on the Hooghly river. There were, in fact, certain occasions when we all swam in the Hooghly , and yes, there were 'garials' (long-nosed crocodiles) in the river !
Occasionally a group of boys would visit a tea estate further down the hill, equipped with shorts rolled up in their towels. This was to give us swimming lessons in the rectangular tank that stored water for the estate. The contents were drawn from a nearby jhora, so diving in risked a heart attack from the temperature. Obviously the concrete structure had never been intended to teach people to swim….. it was a uniform depth, sufficient to drown even the tallest Victorian.
Memory tells me that a few of us could swim; the rest lined the edge, shivering in the wind, awaiting their personal swimming lesson. This meant being attached to a lasso of rope, tied to the end of a bamboo pole. You then were persuaded to release your iron-like grip on the lip of the tank, and you were then towed along one side, under the surface most of the time. Meanwhile the teacher shouted instructions, none of which you could hear in the foam your thrashing arms and legs were creating.
Needless to say I was still a total non-swimmer when I left school in December 1946. I graduated to dog- paddle level in my last weeks in India, while waiting with my parents at the Transit Camp at Deolali .. the Army in India’s first and last call.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Gardiner)
There was also a small contingent of American girls, described as ‘hostesses’, whose duties consisted of writing letters on behalf of the boys and assisting them in many ways. The girls, pleasant and attractive, wore beautiful sky-blue uniforms arousing our admiration. Being in the officer class they were allowed to join the Calcutta swimming club where it was noticed that their ways were also bit unconventional. At the back of the swimming pools, in the women's section, there was a long row of cubicles at the end of which was a large room containing wash-hand basins and several toilets. It was the custom for the ladies, when necessary, to attend the toilets and wash-hand basins prior to changing into a bathing suit in the privacy of the cubicle. The ‘hostesses’ reversed the process by undressing in the cubicle and walking completely in the nude to the toilets and then strolling casually back to slip on their bathing suits.
This rather saucy practice, which my granny would have described as brazen, horrified the Indian women attendants who, like all their Indian sisters, were known to be very modest and even when bathing in the river never exposed their bodies. I was a bit surprised myself as were the twins who being young were allowed in the part reserved for ladies, but not too young as not to notice and express their astonishment at the ‘shame, shame aunties’.
(source:pages 93-94 of Eugenie Fraser: “A home by the Hooghly. A jute Wallahs Wife” .Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing 1989)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Eugenie Fraser)
The swimming pools and other sports facilities were just for the military. The only swimming pools I can remember were attached to hospitals because most of them were in places where people were recovering from illnesses or wounds or what not. Outside Calcutta mere was a place called Beach Candy, and that was a big open air swimming pool. I'm sure there was Indians there. It was so big, it was a huge thing. It was a sort of natural swimming pool but they installed diving boards and steps and things, and that was a great place. There was restaurants at either side of the pool.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Ian MacDougall)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Tollygunge, on Golf Club Rd. No greens fee for E.M. May play Monday morning through Friday morning. Saturday until 1100 hours. Caddies As. 8, Ball-boy As. 5. Limited number of sets of clubs for rent at Re. 1. Officers: Rs.2 greens fee. Rs. 3 on Sat., Sun., Holidays. Old course during week, new course Sundays. Re. 1 for rental of clubs (limited number). As. 8 for caddies, As. 5 for Ball-boys. Caddies furnish a ball. For both E.M. and officers a canteen is available for cold drinks and grill items. Showers and towels.
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
After only
several hours' sleep, I decided to try to get out of playing golf this
afternoon, but it was no go. If I went it helped them get transportation (a
damned hot ambulance from the motor pool). I cannot understand why they would
want my company. I napped for an hour, then Howard and
I were driven around in our ambulance to pick up Ellen. It was a short trip to
the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, which is right across from Tolleygunge,
where we previously played.
(Source: p.217 of Elaine Pinkerton (ed.): “From Calcutta With Love: The World War II Letters of Richard and Reva Beard” Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 2002 / Reproduced by courtesy of Texas Tech University Press)
September 5, 1945
Dearest:
Well, for the first time in two years, I played golf. My score was 6,6,6, 5,5,5,5,5,4 for 47 on the first nine. Since it was getting dark, we just practiced on the tenth coming in to the club house. My drives and second shots were as good as ever, but my approaches were weak.
The Tolleygongo Club is a beautiful oriental group of buildings in a gorgeous setting of tropical gardens. The fairways are luxuriant and the native caddies move your ball to an advantageous position, so that in all justice, you had to kick it off the clump of grass. There are bars not only at the club house but scattered out on the club.
Furthermore, the course is no pushover, though I ought to play those nine in 42-44 after a little practice. There are several wicked water holes. The traps are jokes after playing Ohio State.
Four of us made the trip out: Clare, Ellen, Howard Gerber (Pilgrim's new assistant who replaces J.J. Weger), and myself. As I recall, aside from a time or two with you and me on a par 3 with Jean Lindsay, I never played golf with a girl. Of course, it was necessary this time, for only Clare had any golf balls.
The clubs which we were provided with were rather rickety, but I used only four and made out fairly well. I was the only one who kept score as the others were pretty bad, including Howard, who complained that I was never satisfied, no matter how close I came to the cup. We got back about 8 p.m. Howard and I dropped the girls off and came on down to our mess to eat.
I'm seated in my easy chair writing, and Gus won't talk to me. I can't tell whether he's angry because he thinks I neglected him or not -- but I asked him to go out to the golf course with us and he said he hated golf. His jaw-isn't healing properly after his dental work " It is quite swollen, so that might account for it. At any rate, I hate to see him acting like that.
Latest rumor is that the whole theater will be cleared by February '46 at the latest. I'm living in anticipation of seeing you, precious girl, soon.
Ever in love,
Dick
(Source: pp.195 ff. of Elaine Pinkerton (ed.): “From Calcutta With Love: The World War II Letters of Richard and Reva Beard” Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 2002 / Reproduced by courtesy of Texas Tech University Press)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gertrude ("Gorgeous Gussie") Moran, 26, U.S. tennis star whose lace-trimmed underthings stole the show at Wimbledon last year, announced her engagement in New Delhi, India to Calcutta Businessman Anthony Davenport, 28, son of British Economist Nicholas Davenport. Said her prospective father-in-law in London: "All I know is that she is a very good tennis player and there was a lot of fuss about her panties." Said her mother, Mrs. Emma Moran, in Santa Monica, Calif.: "Oh, Gertrude's been engaged several times before."
The romantic life of Tennis Star Gertrude ("Gorgeous Gussie") Moron, 26, had the: exciting touch & go of a soap opera. Her engagement in India to Calcutta businessman Anthony Davenport was reported off, then on again, then in doubt. But her indecision did not affect her tennis: she won the all-India hardcourt women's title, 6-0, 6-3, 6-1.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Time Magazine)
Y.W.C.A. Hostel, 1 Middleton Row. Tennis courts, rackets, balls, shoes, shirts - all free to E.M. or to officers. Every day except Thursday night. Sundays closed until 1600 hours.
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next is the old boathouse of the Calcutta Rowing Club. This Club was founded in 1858 and after a number of changes finally removed to the Dhakuria Lake in 1928. The annual Regatta of the Amateur Rowing Association of the East is held on the Calcutta Rowing Club's water every third year.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Try renting a bike for fun, for exercise, or for seeing something of the city. S. A. Rahman, 3 Kyd St., at annas 3 per hour or Yagub Kahmas, 7 British India St.
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
The closest approach to our American indoor sport of bowling is Skittles, a different kind of bowling which lacks the challenge of our game but which is good fun. Try it, you bowlers who are lonely for those alleys, try it at the Swiss Club, 42 Theatre Rd. E.M. can go on Monday and Weds. through the ARC Clubs. Officers can go out on their own.
(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
That same year, the school and district was hit by a violent storm. Many of the huge cryptomaria trees that lined both Top and Bottom Flats came crashing down. Our compensation was the discovery that long sections of their thick bark could be used as toboggans on the steep grass slope down to Bottom Flat.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Gardiner)
As a young chokra myself I spent most days fishing at the mill 'tankie' for 'burra muchli's' - Rhuee, Kalabause, Mirgil, Silond, Pangash and the great Catla-fish. Although I never actually caught a great Catla-fish, I used to help our much loved Doctor Baboo - old Cha Cha - catch a few really 'burra' muchie's ! The old doctor, and my good mentor, taught me how to make 'pukka' bait - with atta, punir and peepra ka deem - which seldom failed to tempt a good 'muchli'.
[…]
With regular trips into our local bazzar at Jagatdal, I made a number of good friends - young 'goondas', like myself, there was Gupta, Kumar and wild Choudry ; we were all keen anglers and spent hours together fishing at various mill 'tankies' and, when well away from parental supervision, on the Hooghly river. There were, in fact, certain occasions when we all swam in the Hooghly , and yes, there were 'garials' (long-nosed crocodiles) in the river !
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home
● Sitemap ●
Reference ●
Last
updated: 11-March-2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there are any technical
problems, factual inaccuracies or things you have to add,
then please contact the group
under info@calcutta1940s.org