Some good did come of Britain’s role in India

PHYLLIS N Bembridge wrote that she felt the British were largely to blame for the terrible murders that occurred between different sections of the Indian population during partition (Aug 18), she also states that there was a British policy of divide and rule.

This seems odd to me as it was only two years prior that Japan had been defeated at the end of the Second World War. There were more soldiers killed in that war in both Europe and South East Asia from pre partition India than there were British killed in all areas of conflict. If the British before WW2 had in fact practiced divide and rule, how come so many volunteered to risk their life for this 200-year duration practice of ‘divide and rule’ that might, for all they knew in 1939, continue for many years to come.

Under the British Raj, over 40,000 miles of railways were built, as well as canals, roads and dockyards that helped develop the country enormously to such an extent that at partition in August 1947, India was the 12th most developed country in the world.

The British had established in India five universities by 1857; by 1900, Calcutta was the largest university in the world – many bright Indians were, from the age of 12, educated in top public schools and UK universities. Of course, during 200 years Britain had supplied many generators, pumping engines, railway locomotives and much else besides, all of which created lots of employment in Britain for the ordinary working man. Our banking system and stock market invested in India and we set up this economic infrastructure in India as well.

When we left we did not destroy everything we had put in, but left it all to the new rulers to run the two countries in the future. Looking at how many previous empires ended, we did the best we could under very difficult circumstances. Paul Hillock Stoke Green

Can you help trace Jane for reunion?

I WENT to Stoke Park Grammar School for girls between 1968 and 1975. I’m organising a class reunion in early October of this year in Coventry and am trying to trace Jane Glover – she is the last person in our class who we cannot find.

Apparently she also used Jain as the spelling of her name and had a brother called Christopher.

Some of the other girls in the class think she may have had a middle name of Elizabeth, though that’s not certain. We also know that she married in 1979.

Their father (and maybe even their mother) we think were not British-born and it is thought that their mother sold wigs in Woolworths for Pierre Cardin.

We know that they lived in Knoll Drove, Styvechale. It is also thought that she went to Manor Park Primary School. She had friends who weren’t in our class called Melanie Haime, Margaret Janaway, Anne Marie and Cheryl.

It would be lovely if I could trace Jane so that she has the chance to attend the reunion if she would like. My mobile number is 07747 866199. Lesley Greasley (nee Reynolds) Salisbury