Gautam Hazarika Archives - Aspects of History

Empire’s Witness: An Interview with Philip James Day

In discussion with Gautam Hazarika, the author reflects on discovering the hidden wartime diary of his grandfather, Corporal Alwyn Day, a quiet and emotionally reserved veteran shaped by extraordinary experiences in World War II.

Philip James Day

Philip, welcome to Aspects of History. Congratulations on the upcoming release of Empire’s Witness: A Soldier’s Secret War Diary 1942–45. What were your memories of your grandfather, Corporal Day, prior to beginning this project, and how and why did his “quiet life...

Lt. Col. Leslie Vernon Fitzpatrick and The Sherdils

From the Malayan campaign to the tense final days of Japanese rule in Singapore, the career of Lt Col “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, preserved in family papers, brings to light wartime stories of the Indian Army and the final years of the Raj.

Gautam Hazarika

Fitzpatrick, or “Fitz” as he was known, was commissioned into South Staffordshire Regt in 1914, serving with the 3rd Battalion during World War One. Transferred to the Indian Army’s 14th Punjab Regiment after the war, subsequent to its return from Palestine in 1923,...

Gautam Hazarika

The historian of Indian POWs discusses history, his research and his next project.

Gautam Hazarika

Gautam Hazarika, what first attracted you to the period or periods you work in? I had always been interested in WW2, primarily Britain’s war against Nazi Germany, but not in the Far East, even after living 20 years in Singapore where so much of it happened at my...

What is Unique About the Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II

So many stories have emerged in a new book on Indian POWs

Gautam Hazarika

Questions India myths about Subhas Chandra Bose, INA, are of great interest in India today India’s INA history is largely focused on Netaji. Indeed he did a lot, but he had a lot of help. The book shows that the INA was not started by him, but 18 months earlier by the...

Family Stories of The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II

There are many stories in a new book on Indian POWs of the Japanese.

Gautam Hazarika

Family Stories of The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II Captain Mohan Singh – history hero of the book – his son, daughter, niece and grandchildren Centurion and only survivor of Singapore I’ve found so far, Lance-Naik Charan Singh (Punjabi). Lucid and in...

Gautam Hazarika

Gautam Hazarika is Singapore based and after being a banker most of his life, now researches World War II in Southeast Asia. His focus is on lesser-known stories such as the Indian army, the anti-Japanese resistance and war crimes trials, and has spoken about them at museums in Singapore and WWII conferences in the UK.

Gautam Hazarika

Books Click on any of the books covers below to either buy or get more information on Amazon Articles Click on the links below to read the full article [dpdfg_filtergrid custom_query="advanced" use_taxonomy_terms="on" multiple_taxonomies="name_of_author"...