Chapter Eleven feature on the streets of any city or town in India. There were no recognised dog catchers as such and none of my staff, being devout Hindus, were willing to do the job. I took it upon myself to shoot the animals followed by a sweeper who collected the corpses in gunny bags to be burnt later. At the end of one week I had disposed of 300 dogs and cleared the Cantonment of rabies. I was sickened at having to do this but it was necessary. Later in the year I was visited by a representative from the newly established British High Commission in Delhi. The gentleman wanted me to represent the British community of East Punjab in an honorary capacity. He burst out laughing when I informed him that there was just one British subject other than myself and Coral, a Northern Irish priest 200 miles to the East in the depths of the Himalayas. I might see him once a year if I was there myself. I told him that my wife and I were contemplating a change as I was now more than ever convinced that I was working under sufferance and could not see a bright future ahead in the changed circumstances of the country. This did not surprise him as he was aware of the hundreds of Europeans leaving India, especially those serving in the various branches of the Civil Service. He would keep in touch with us and let me know of any opportunities arising. As the days went by, Coral and I applied to the Australian High Commission for brochures on emigration. We were getting serious now and I had heard about there being plenty of work going in Australia provided one had some trade or profession to offer. My only fear was the wearing of an artificial limb. Then again we thought of the war veterans and the disabled who must have felt the same but would cope as I had done over the last few years. Not long afterwards, we received the brochures and started filling in forms which had been supplied by the Aussies, when I received a letter from the British High Commission offering a post, provided I came for an interview when convenient. This was it and both Coral and I made the final decision. I would break from the police. I obtained a few days' leave but gave no
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