Last year I was fortunate to work with
CAIA, the Centre for Armenian Information and Advice in London on their UK Armenians and
WW1 project.
One of the stories I uncovered was about John Arakelian, his work with
the British Intelligence in the Middle East and how he came to save 380
orphaned Armenian boys and girls in Baghdad. The original post can be found on CAIA's website above.
Following the project's completion I reproduce the story here on my blog because there is a Armenian Calcutta connection. (Please note the hyperlinks in [square brackets] do not work in this blog, please go to the end of the story to see the appropriate link.)
John Haig
Arakelian D.C.M., M.M.
“…How?
How did I end up here?
In a jail in Wales.
How?...”
On a cold
November morning in 1914, John Arakelian found himself being detained by the
Chief Constable of Newport Police as an ‘unregistered alien’, the underlying
accusation being that he was a German spy. Held
for several days in a local gaol pending further enquiries, one can only
imagine how he must have felt. He could be forgiven for allowing his mind to
drift off and think about home; the warm breezes blowing across his land, the
golden hues of a setting sun reflecting on the surrounding hills and mountains
and the beautiful sweet smells hanging in the air, gently wafting up from the successful
family farm growing 84,000 fruit trees. And yet as he lay in his cell, he had
faith. Protesting he was not Turkish
but Armenian, recounting his already extraordinary military service in the
British Army, that faith was, eventually proved.
After
exhaustive enquiries by the Chief Constable into John’s life which revealed
nothing untoward, John was released without charge and
allowed to return to what he did best. Serving in the British Army. He was in
Wales with his regiment, the 3rd Dragoon Guards, going about his
military business and following orders. It was his background, accent, looks
and his ability to speak six languages that made authorities twitchy. Yet, his
future military actions would prove unequivocally that he was loyal,
trustworthy and dedicated to the Crown. It’s just a shame the British
Government took so long to recognise this extraordinarily unique, fearless yet
humble Armenian when it came to his application for citizenship of the country
he had served for 17 years.
Born on the
1st April 1886 in Broussa near Constantinople, one of 10 children (he had
two brothers and seven sisters), this staunchly Armenian family owned
considerable property and land. A large warehouse was used for the manufacture
of silk and the Arakelian’s ensured their workers had sufficient housing,
dedicating one large house, four smaller houses, eleven other houses and a
large bath house solely for their use. The family also grew several thousand grape
vines and fruit trees. It was a long establish and profitable farm, and they
helped the local community by employing as many people as they could between
their fruit and silk businesses.
John’s
father, Onig but also known as John, passed away when he was seven years of age
in 1892. The property and assets became the sole responsibility of his mother
Pilazou neé Andonian but the family soon fragmented and split up. His two
brothers Bedros and Vahram and two of his sisters as well as an aunt went to
England to live in 1894. John remained behind and attended the local protestant
school. Four years later his brother, Bedros returned to the family farm from
England and made arrangements for John to go and live there with him. By 1900 both
John and Vaham were in London, and with the guidance of their brother Bedros, John
was quickly enrolled at Professor Garabed Thoumaian’s School, completing his education
at Clarence School at Weston-Super-Mare.
He took an apprenticeship in 1904 with an established and well respected firm
of builders, Foster & Sons of Bath
to learn machinery. He stayed for a year and moved to Glasgow finding employment
within the engineering department of a large company. He quickly realised this
was not the path he wanted to follow and boldly set about joining the Scottish
military by applying to the Royal Scots
Greys. His first posting was to the depot in Edinburgh. For the sake of
clarity, he ensured the military authorities were aware of his nationality and
that he wasn’t a British Subject.
This wasn’t something they were particularly concerned about and being
impressed by his physique as well as having the correct credentials, John was
posted to Tidworth Camp near Salisbury. Whilst there he caught the eye of a
General who complimented him on his “smart
appearance and good horsemanship.”
By 1908 John
was sent to India to serve and transferred to the 1st Royal Dragoons
at Muttra in Agra, his multitude of languages made him stand out from other
soldiers and he was able to converse locally in Hindustani. One day, the
Regiment Sergeant foolishly bet that if he could ride a particularly wilful and
stubborn horse without being thrown off he would be given a month’s leave. John
accepted the challenge with relish and, needless to say, accomplished the ride
with ease. He was soon planning his month’s leave to Calcutta.
John Arakelian
and the Calcutta Armenians
In Calcutta
John would no doubt have gravitated toward the Armenian Church and the thriving
Armenian community of the city. It
wasn’t long before he was approached by a well known local Armenian coal mine
owner, C.L. Phillips of
Kusunda Nayadih Colliery, near Dhanbad. Phillips
was impressed by John and offered to purchase his discharge from the Army. John
agreed and went to work for another Armenian coal firm Martin & Co in the
Asansol/Dhanbad area, where he stayed until 1912. The Regiment Sergeant must
have been kicking himself at the loss of such a versatile and talented soldier.
But India was never going to be his last destination and after four years
there, John was keen to return to Broussa and to the family farm so that he
could take it over. He requested six
months’ leave from Martin & Co and sailed from Calcutta at the earliest
opportunity.
Constantinople –
A Strong Bond
John felt
the pull of home more than ever and, rather than returning to India as he had
planned, he found a position in Constantinople as a PT instructor at the
American College. He wanted and needed to be close to home.
In 1912 John
purchased the shares and assets of his mother and siblings and became the sole
owner of the family farm, property and lands in Broussa. (Later, during WW1,
whilst he was serving in the British Army, the whole of the family property was
destroyed by the Turks because the Turkish authorities discovered he was
serving with the British forces.)
In November
1912 the Balkan War brought him to the attention of British born barrister Sir
Edwin Pears in Constantinople via Major Graves The Times correspondent of that city. Sir Edwin enquired of John as
to whether he would be willing to obtain information concerning the Balkan War
for English newspaper correspondents. John agreed and having met with the
newspaper representatives at the Pera Palace Hotel in Constantinople he was, in
John’s words:
“immediately arrested
by the Turkish authorities (at the instigation of a Greek spy), and after five
days confinement, was brought before the Turkish authorities War Minister,
Nazim Pasha, who was rather partial to Armenians.
After questioning me as to my
dealings with the English, he said that was it not for the high esteem they had
for my late father he would have me shot. However, he admonished me and advised
me to devote my abilities with the sword in instructing the Turkish
officers. On my release I was followed
by two detectives, but after outwitting them, I went to the British Consul who
arranged for me to be sent immediately to Egypt.”
It is
remarkable that John survived that close shave with the authorities, it is even
more remarkable that once in Egypt, his desire was still so strong he continued
to want to help the British where possible. With his Secret Service work in
Constantinople behind him and holding an introduction to the British Consul at
Alexandria, he was quickly appointed to the Egyptian Police Force. Once again
he made a good impression, this time of the Chief of Police and received praise
for his work. John spent only a year in Egypt, he was anxious to return to
Constantinople and he did just that in December 1913. With the assistance of
Sir Edwin Pears by way of another introduction, this time to the Standard Oil
Company, John was given the position of Assistant Engineer with the firm based
at the Dardanelles. He was responsible for a workforce of 200 men in
road-making that needed to be sufficiently well built to withstand heavy
machinery for the company. On one occasion and ever the observant professional,
he spotted Turkish forces in the distance moving heavy guns and military
equipment. He immediately informed Standard Oil Company and he was instructed
to close down the operation and return to Constantinople. He immediately
relayed this important piece of surveillance to the British.
A Second Period
in the British Army
At the
outbreak of War in 1914 John was strongly advised by an English friend in
Constantinople to re-join the British Army. He registered at the British Consul
and was sent to England with a number of others also wishing to join. After reporting to Whitehall he was sent to
Newport in Wales where he joined the 3rd Dragoon Guards. He had only
been in Newport for a fortnight when he was suspected of being a German spy and
arrested. Three Court appearances and 22 days later he was cleared and
released. Remarkably, he chose to continue to serve in the Army and was sent to
Canterbury in Kent soon after this episode. Whilst in Canterbury he, and a
number of others, went before the town Mayor to swear and sign a declaration. John
believed this to be a naturalisation process, and little did he know that this
misunderstanding would once again cause him no end of trouble 10 years hence.
Extracted from
his Naturalisation application, a recount of some of his military career.
On
the 3rd April 1916 an attack was made on the first two front
trenches at HANNAH position. We advanced
about 3 miles the same day and captured FULAHYAH Redoubt and a communication
trench. I was responsible for taking the
communication trench, and seven prisoners who I handed over to General O’Dowda.
After this engagement I was promoted Sergeant. After the engagement at SANAIYAT
on the 9th April 1916 I was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal
for conspicuous gallantry to attending to, and bringing in wounded under rifle
fire in front of the enemy’s trenches. (See London Gazette, 14th
November 1916).
At
SHOOMRA BEND, I was in charge of the snipers and listening posts in no man’s
land, where I was successful killing one of the enemy snipers – a Sergeant.
Near this position, the late General Maude came to see me in the front
trenches, and complimented me for the good services I had rendered. At SHOOMRA
BEND I was asked by my Commanding Officer (Lt. Col. B. Macnaughten) if I would
signal the advance of the battalion from the parapet of the trenches when the
attach was launched. I volunteered to undertake this duty, and I stood in full
view of the enemy’s position for about six minutes to give the pre-arranged
three signals for the battalion to advance.
The
late General Maude was kind enough to give permission for me to search the
villages for any Armenian children held in captivity by the Mohommedans. By this means I collected about 380 Armenian
boys and girls at BAGHDAD, where an orphanage was formed by the Americans for
their welfare.
On
one occasion when in BAGHDAD assisting the Intelligence Department, and
collecting Armenian children, I discovered a large quantity of machine guns, ammunition,
explosives, searchlights etc., hidden by the Germans and Turks in one of the
houses.
I
volunteered to go to KUT and get into communication with General Townsend to
receive information and return to the British lines, but General Beach, Chief
of the Intelligence Staff considered the undertaking was too hazardous and
would not consent.
On
another occasion in BAGHDAD some 150 persons were collected together contrary
to orders, trying to create a riot. When
I arrived on the scene, I found an interpreter and British Military Police with
fixed bayonets endeavouring to arrest the offenders. Intervened and suggested to the officer in
charge that the police be ordered to unfix their bayonets and return to their quarters. I then coerced 75 of the principal offenders
to accompany me to the Police Headquarters.
They were eventually tried, five of the leaders being sentenced to 18
months hard labour, and the remainder to one month’s hard labour, and deported
from the country.
Again
in BAGHDAD I collected about 40 Turkish officers and Turkish government
employees, who by proclamation should have surrendered. I brought them to the Military Police
headquarters, where they were transferred to the Prisoners of War Camp in
India.
 |
| Courtesy of the Imperial War Museum London. Men of John's regiment, the 6th King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment bathing in a creek near Basra during the summer of 1916 |
John
recalls:
I joined the British Army in 1914 and
was demobilised 5th October 1920 at Constantinople. From here I was sent
to Armenia and served under the Armenian government. On the 11th
June 1921 I arrived at Baghdad and reported to the British Headquarters where I
was employed on intelligence duties under Major W.J. Bovill and transferred
later to S.M. Section under British government for supplying electric power and
water to Baghdad. On 5th November 1921 I went to Calcutta (India)
and was a student at the French Motor Company Calcutta until March 1922. I returned to Baghdad 23rd April 1922
as motor engineer but was unsuccessful in business. On the recommendation of
Colonel W. Dent I was employed by Iraq Aircraft Dept Royal Air Force where I
served until 1924. I was then transferred to Navy Army and Air Force institute
and resigned my position in August 1924 to return to England but unfortunately
I fell and broke my arm and owing to financial difficulties I was compelled to
remain in Baghdad until I left for England in May 1925. I have now nearly
completed 12 months in London since May 1925 but in all as my history shows I
have been about 17 years in England and in the British Army and with British
companies. 48 Cornwall Road, Harrow – May to June 1925. 134 Fellings Road,
Goodmayes – June 1925 to March 1926.
I have served under the British since I
completed my education in England in all, about 17 years, therefore I feel more
British and my record in the British Army is not in vain, I hope.
Naturalisation,
Compensation, Honour, Acceptance - Disappointment
Initially,
at the time of John’s application for naturalisation in 1925, he hadn’t lived
in England for the minimum qualifying period of five years, and his application
was put back. However, because his “public
services were beyond question” it was suggested by a reviewing officer that
he should wait a year and apply again. John’s urgency for a successful
application was compounded by the fact that his personal circumstances were now
desperately dire. With a wife and young baby he was barely scraping a living as
a window cleaner at the Savoy Hotel in London. He couldn’t apply for his War
Compensation because he wasn’t a British citizen. Even the reviewing officer felt John was a
most deserving case
“I am sorry for this man, who has
deserved well of this country, and would be reluctant to stigmatise him for all
time as a “window cleaner”. He was an engineer, but in hard times he is not
ashamed to do any work he can get.”
John was
finally granted naturalisation in August 1926 at which time he applied for his
War Compensation. Unfortunately he was notified that it was too late and his
application was rejected. This would have been a bitter blow.
He and his
wife Angel, whose first child was born in Baghdad in 1925, went on to have at
least 2 more children who were born in London.
Following
the death of his wife Angel in London in 1933, John spent some time living with
his son and daughter-in-law in Hertfordshire. In 1959 he made one last voyage
to the Middle East. No further trace of him can be found.
He was a man
of great loyalty, dedication, commitment and dignity in the face of adversity
and, in his own words…..
Medals
Recommended for a Victoria Cross
which is the highest award in the UK honours system. He ended being awarded the
Distinguished Conduct Medal, the second highest award in the honours systems. He was
also awarded the Military Medal As well as the 1914-1915 Star,
the British War Medal 1914-1920 and the Victory
Medal 1914-1919.
Sources used for this blog entry:
AGBU on Flickr
Ancestry.com
Archive.org
BillionGraves.com
British Library
California Digital Newspaper Collection
Digital Library of India
Families in British India Society
Find A Will, Government Website
Findmypast.co.uk
Forces War Records
Hathi Trust Digital Library
Imperial War Museum
London Gazette
National Archives Kew
Newspaperarchive.com
Newspapers.com
British Newspaper Archive
Wellcome Trust Library
My thanks to
Diane John for assisting with document acquisition.
