Memoir of the Career of Sir Reginald Michael Hadow [‎11r] (21/26)

(Oct. Nov. and i December) in Udaipur with my sister and brother-in-law.
Humphrey Trevelyan was Reisdent. Arranged to sit my F & P. board in Delhi in
December.
Interview On arrival in Delhi was informed by the Viceroy’s P.S. Gilbert
Laithwaite that I was required to act as liaison officer to a visiting Chinese
delegation under Chiang Kai-Shek (I was by then walking with two sticks). Lived
and worked out of Viceroy's House. The day before I sat my board was told by
Viceroy that our Ambassador to Russia, Sir Archibald Clerk Kerr, who was on his
way to Moscow via Delhi, wanted a Private Secretary and had asked for me. If I
wanted to go and subject to passing the board the Viceroy would arrange to have
me seconded from the F & P to the F.O. I jumped at the chance to be nearer the
war. At the Board I stated my preference for the Political (states) side rather
than the Foreign much to the disgust of Sir Olaf Caroe who believed all young men
should want to serve in the N.W.F.P. However, I passed largely I suppose because
of the Viceroy's interest in loaning me to Clerk Kerr and within 3 days was on my
way to Russia.
Russia Arrived Kuibyshev 6 Jan. 1942, to where all diplomatic missions had been
exiled by Stalin for "safety". There was no work or contact with Russians.
Visited Moscow twice: to present credentials (shook hands with Stalin who reeked
of cheap scent): and a happy month on my own with 3rd Secretary Russell listing
all Ministry of Works furniture in the Embassy Consulate and service missions.
Devoted my time to learning Russian and forming an opinion of the Soviet Union
which has not altered. Saw a lot of ballet and learnt great speed deciphering
telegrams. After 8 months recalled by F & P "now that Hadow has learnt Russian".
Delighted to go. The F & P had had an officer (me) on an 8 months language
course paid for by the F.O. I was posted as Vice-Consul, Meshed. A fascinating
journey there which took 7 days to Tehran and 2 by car from there. All my heavy
luggage had been sunk on its way to Russia so I had 2 suitcases.
Meshed In the Russian zone of occupation of North Khorasan. I loved Persia
after the Soviet Union. My Consul General was Claremont Skrine. My main duties
were to deal with the Russians (Consulate General & Divisional HQ). I had fairly
good colloquial Russian which improved daily through use in Meshed. Established
good relations a) because I had come from the Soviet Union, b) the language and
c) because I had learnt in Russia that they respected you for driving hard
bargains and did not resent it.
The main problem was our own travel which was restricted by the Russians despite
the fact we had built the road from Zahidan to Ashkabad and ran a huge fleet of
lorries carrying goods from India to Russia, on which the Consulate General had
to keep an eye. My fellow Vice-Consul Capt Tandy was engaged on S.O.E. duties
(declared to the Russians). I did a certain amount of travel in the mountains
with him, using shooting and stalking as an excuse..
Relations with the Persians were conducted by Mr Skrine except during his
frequent trips to India when they fell on me.
We also kept an eye on a Polish evacuation centre in Meshed bringing Poles out
of Siberia. Able bodied men and women went to Tehran to join Paiforce. Children
and mothers we sent to Bombay. Shortly before leaving Meshed I married a Polish
lady.
Meshed was a beautiful old Consulate General. The country-side around magnificent.
The climate excellent. The best post I had in my time in the F & P. I suppose I
saw the last days of "The Great Game", for which Meshed had always been an
important centre and our library was full of accounts in this respect stretching
back a hundred years.