This Day in History: 1945-03-12

Colonel Fell, Commandant of the Regimental Centre in Dehra Dun, wrote: ‘A well equipped labour room with pre- and post-natal treatment was introduced , but the Gurkha wives were apt to regard this as something of a nuisance.  All depended on the first patient and we instructed the pandit [Hindu priest] to guarantee a boy.  If she co-operated she was promised that the Union Jack and Regimental flag will be hoisted at the Memorial Arch.  The pandit agreed.  The patient was delivered of a boy and popularized the maternity service overnight!’