Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1662

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

.33 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Arthur Leslie Donaldson photograph album of Nepal, 1922, Ms. Coll. 1662, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1922

Creator:

Donaldson, Arthur Leslie, 1893-1967

Form:

Photograph albums

Abstract:

This photograph album, compiled by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Leslie Donaldson, 2nd King Edward's Own (K.E.O) Gurkha Rifles, captures the sights and customs of Nepal in 1922.

Arthur Leslie Donaldson was born on April 10, 1893 in Newton Abbott, Devon, England, the son of Thomas William Donaldson (1865-1925) and his wife Ethel Laura Frewer Donaldson (1868-1963). He commissioned to 5th (Prince of Wales's) Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment on June 15, 1912 as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Territorial Force (a part-time volunteer component of the British Army). During World War I, Donaldson became a member of the 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade and was wounded in November 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.

Donaldson joined the Indian Army on probation in the 2nd Battalion, K.E.O. 2nd Gurkha Rifles regiment in 1918. His Battalion took part in the Marri Punitive Expedition in 1918, and the Third Afghan War in 1919. Donaldson remained in the Indian Army after the war and was promoted to Captain in 1921.

He returned back to England in 1926 to marry Phyllis Mary Turner (1903-1964) in November of that year. They had four children, Richard (1929-1996), Rosemary (1930- ), Elizabeth (1934- ) and Christopher (1942-1942).

The newly married Donaldsons returned to India and in February 1929, Donaldson became the Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, The Bengal Nagpur Railway Regiment in Khargpur, a post he held until 1931. Donaldson rejoined the 2/2nd K.E.O. Gurkha Rifles and was promoted to Major in 1933 and was transferred to the Special Unemployed Indian Army List on November 1, 1935, after serving 20 years. He was recalled in 1939 and in 1940 became the Senior Supervising Officer of the Sree Nath Regiment of the Nepalese Contingent. Donaldson remained in this post until 1945 when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and became the Officer Commanding the Indian Reinforcement Camp, a post he held until retiring on June 12, 1947.

Donaldson died on July 21, 1967.

Sources:

Collingham and Linton in World War One. (2021). Collinghamanddistrictwararchive.info. http://collinghamanddistrictwararchive.info/list_person.php?ManID=Arthur_Donaldson

bmbab. (2019, October 23). Any experts in Indian Army List abbreviations please. The Great War (1914-1918) Forum; Great War Forum. https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/276116-any-experts-in-indian-army-list-abbreviations-please/

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This album of 195 black and white photographs of Nepal was compiled by Arthur Leslie Donaldson in 1922 while serving with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd K.E.O. Gurkha Rifles. The photographs are captioned in English and include Hindu and Buddhist sites and temples in Kathmandu, including Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Buddhist Complex, Boudhanath Temple, Taleju Temple, Rani Pokhari Pond, Durbar Hall, and Changu Narayan Temple. There are photographs of public celebrations of Indra Jatra and Dashain Hindu Festivals in Kathmandu. These photographs of street processions, parade of troops, buffalo sacrifice, and blessing of the colors highlight the traditions of the longest Hindu festival in Nepal. The album also contains a photograph of the British Legation; Nepalese military officers; views of Kakani Village and the Himalayas; Nepalese people; and R.S. Underhill, a British engineer who constructed Nepal's first cargo ropeway.