Watson’s regiments
Mar. 10th, 2020 01:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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victorian221bI found an interesting article which compares Watson’s military background with actual facts about the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers and the Berkshires. As we remember, Watson introduces himself this way:
“In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University of London, and proceeded to Netley to go through the course prescribed for surgeons in the army. Having completed my studies there, I was duly attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon. The regiment was stationed in India at the time, and before I could join it, the second Afghan war had broken out. On landing at Bombay, I learned that my corps had advanced through the passes, and was already deep in the enemy's country. I followed, however, with many other officers who were in the same situation as myself, and succeeded in reaching Candahar in safety, where I found my regiment, and at once entered upon my new duties. [...] I was removed from my brigade and attached to the Berkshires, with whom I served at the fatal battle of Maiwand.”
So according to STUD, he served mostly in Afghanistan. However, RESI gives another picture:
“For myself, my term of service in India had trained me to stand heat better than cold, and a thermometer of 90 was no hardship.”
This quote implies that he served in India for some time which was enough for him to get used to its climate. Here’s what is said in the article upon the matter:
“Watson would not have joined the 5th Fusiliers at Kandahar because that regiment was never stationed there. They were part of the Peshawar Valley Field Force and were employed in the Khyber Pass, the Bazar Valley, Landi Kotal and Jalalabad - all in the northern territories. It is more feasable for him to have joined up with the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment while at Bombay, though, staying with them, he would not have made it into Afghanistan until over a year later as they marched into the southern city of Kandahar early in 1880."
Of course, ACD is famous for the lack of consistency in his narratives, but what if we play the game and try to find another explanation for Watson's being an unreliable narrator?
He graduated in 1878. The prep course at Netley lasted for four months, which means that in late 1878 or early 1879 he embarked on his journey to India. Maybe, being attached to the Fusiliers, he did join them, although not in Kandahar, but say, in Jalalabad? Perhaps there was some conflict there. Knowing Watson's amiability and integrity, he must have had a good reason for it. After a very short time in Jalalabad, he was removed from his brigade, attached to the Berkshires and transferred back to Bombay. There he served for about a year and then marched with his regiment to Kandahar. When he was writing STUD, he was yet inexperienced in mystifications. He omitted the reason why he was reassigned, and hence inconsistencies in his narrative. Perhaps the fellow Fusiliers knew that reason very well, but an outsider would question the authenticity of Watson's tale. The reason itself could make a nice fic.
“In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University of London, and proceeded to Netley to go through the course prescribed for surgeons in the army. Having completed my studies there, I was duly attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon. The regiment was stationed in India at the time, and before I could join it, the second Afghan war had broken out. On landing at Bombay, I learned that my corps had advanced through the passes, and was already deep in the enemy's country. I followed, however, with many other officers who were in the same situation as myself, and succeeded in reaching Candahar in safety, where I found my regiment, and at once entered upon my new duties. [...] I was removed from my brigade and attached to the Berkshires, with whom I served at the fatal battle of Maiwand.”
So according to STUD, he served mostly in Afghanistan. However, RESI gives another picture:
“For myself, my term of service in India had trained me to stand heat better than cold, and a thermometer of 90 was no hardship.”
This quote implies that he served in India for some time which was enough for him to get used to its climate. Here’s what is said in the article upon the matter:
“Watson would not have joined the 5th Fusiliers at Kandahar because that regiment was never stationed there. They were part of the Peshawar Valley Field Force and were employed in the Khyber Pass, the Bazar Valley, Landi Kotal and Jalalabad - all in the northern territories. It is more feasable for him to have joined up with the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment while at Bombay, though, staying with them, he would not have made it into Afghanistan until over a year later as they marched into the southern city of Kandahar early in 1880."
Of course, ACD is famous for the lack of consistency in his narratives, but what if we play the game and try to find another explanation for Watson's being an unreliable narrator?
He graduated in 1878. The prep course at Netley lasted for four months, which means that in late 1878 or early 1879 he embarked on his journey to India. Maybe, being attached to the Fusiliers, he did join them, although not in Kandahar, but say, in Jalalabad? Perhaps there was some conflict there. Knowing Watson's amiability and integrity, he must have had a good reason for it. After a very short time in Jalalabad, he was removed from his brigade, attached to the Berkshires and transferred back to Bombay. There he served for about a year and then marched with his regiment to Kandahar. When he was writing STUD, he was yet inexperienced in mystifications. He omitted the reason why he was reassigned, and hence inconsistencies in his narrative. Perhaps the fellow Fusiliers knew that reason very well, but an outsider would question the authenticity of Watson's tale. The reason itself could make a nice fic.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 12:21 pm (UTC)And I continue to be fascinated by how short Watson's military career was. His 'soldier' identity and qualities are so often made into prominent parts of his characterization that I am always surprised to remember that he was only in the army for, at most, a year and a half. Nothing like a career soldier. And I get the impression that Maiwand may have been his only battle experience, as during his time in India he wouldn't have been posted near any sort of front line that I'm aware of. And, as discussed in previous posts, as a doctor he was technically a non-combatant and may never have fired his weapon. IMO, all these aspects of his military service tend to create a more atypical image of the 'soldier' aspect of his identity than the 'man of action' shorthand that Doyle and later adaptations sometimes used to define Watson's role in his partnership with Holmes.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 12:40 pm (UTC)Returning to that book about doctors in WWI, many soldiers seem to have had a similar experience in the army: a prep course, then wounded in their first battle and invalided out. Harry Patch aka the Last Fighting Tommy, had a relatively short time in the army, but memories of it haunted him when he was over 100 years old.
ACD must have heard tales from the decommissioned servicemen who returned to England from Afghanistan. Since he didn't take his Holmes stories seriously, he didn't bother about getting details right, focusing more on action. It's rather ironic that his historical books where he did pay attention to details and for which he researched painstakingly are now virtually forgotten as they didn't have that sparkle of pure genius that Holmes stories possess.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-13 04:50 pm (UTC)Like Sherlock fans like to search for hidden messages in the various aspects of the show, the Canon inconsistencies make me tick. I do know that they were unintentional (and perhaps it’s a blessing that ACD took Holmes lightly, for Holmes stories are very easy to read, unlike some other things penned by ACD). Anyway, it’s tremendous fun to build theories and headcanons basing on those inconsistencies. Maybe someday I’ll explore this particular period as a flashback.
I like your idea of the supernatural bend! It makes me think of A Study in Emerald ‘verse :)
no subject
Date: 2020-03-14 05:28 am (UTC)Thanks so much for recommending this community and the prompt box in your post!
Re: uniform: as far as I could gather, during the Afghan campaign the everyday uniform was khaki-coloured, while dress uniform was a scarlet tunic with blue trousers. You can google paintings of the Berkshires in the Battle of Maiwand for reference.
Re: the handkerchief habit: WWI uniform had pockets, so perhaps Watson never reverted to keeping his handkerchief in his sleeve?
I also found a website called uniformology, a real treasure trove of British 19th century uniforms!
no subject
Date: 2020-03-15 10:58 pm (UTC)Uniforms are such an uncharted territory for me. I just want to know what uniform Watson kept in his wardrobe 😆 Somehow that lead me to the complicated medical system in the army during the time he served as a young man. By the way, I sent feedback on that uniformology website, asking about medical staff uniforms. Well, maybe they will reply.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-13 11:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-14 05:05 am (UTC)