14th Indian Division Theatre Made Xmas Greetings Paper Slip 1943 - signed by Officer Commanding

On 14 June 1943, the 14th Indian Division was converted to a Training Division. It was stationed at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, where the terrain and vegetation matched the conditions likely to be encountered in Burma, but the comparatively mild climate allowed training throughout the year. The division was commanded by Major General Alfred Curtis. Although its purpose was to supply jungle-trained reinforcements to Fourteenth Army which controlled operations on India's eastern frontier and in Burma, it reported directly to GHQ India under General Claude Auchinleck.

Recruits who had already received basic training in regimental depots were posted to units in 14th Division, to undertake jungle training and live-firing exercises. On completion of this advanced training, they were then assigned to divisional replacement camps, ready to report to their units when required.

This is a theatre produced paper Christmas Card, wishing "A Merry Christmas and a Jappy (sic) New Year to All Ranks". Dated21 December 1943 and signed by Maj Gen Alfred Curtis, Comd. 14 Ind Div and with some pencil initials presumably from some of the "All Ranks". On the other side, once folded, it shows it was addressed to W.H.B. Mirrless (MGRA) and J.W. English (RRACC). Folded, as intended, a few small stains otherwise in very good condition.

Maj.-Gen. William Henry Buchanan Mirrlees was born in 1892. He was the son of William Julius Mirrlees and Emily Lina Moncrieff. He married Iris Irma Leveson-Gower, daughter of Sir George Granville Leveson-Gower and Hon. Adelaide Violet Cicely Monson, on 5 January 1922. He and Iris Irma Leveson-Gower were divorced in 1928. He married Frances Warrington Peyrigné Lalanne, daughter of Frank Dale Lalanne, on 17 August 1931. He died on 22 October 1964. He was decorated with the award of the Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) He was invested as a Companion, Order of the Bath (C.B.) He gained the rank of Major-General in the service of the Royal Artillery. He was decorated with the award of the Military Cross (M.C.)(https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Mirrlees-1)

See also

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Indian_Infantry_Division

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