ABSTRACT
While stationed with his regiment at Rawalpindi in India 1903-1904 Private P.Y. Grainger of the 9th Lancers kept a diary, through which he exercised the traditional British soldier’s prerogative of recording his dissatisfaction with the Army and with life in general. On 10 July 1903 Grainger found something new to complain about, writing that, ‘Orders had come out no more to do with [the] lance, as they talk of doing away with them. I imagine that is some smart government official’s work, making out that he is saving the expense of buying lances, to put the money in his own pocket. So it seems I have been on the last guard done with a lance. But I fancy we shall bring them on guard peachy (presently).’1
