The Soldier Sports Team in Ponna, India, 1923


In the sweltering heat of 1923, a group of young soldiers gathered in the small colonial outpost of Ponna, India. Their shirts gleamed white against the sun-baked stone of the barracks, their expressions serious, yet with a hint of camaraderie beneath the surface. These men, far from home, had formed a sports team—a moment of respite and camaraderie amidst the backdrop of military life.

Ponna was a remote settlement, and the monotony of garrison life could wear on even the most hardened men. For this group of soldiers, sport became an escape, a way to channel their energy, discipline, and competitive spirit. They played football, cricket, and sometimes a rough form of rugby on the dusty fields surrounding the barracks. Matches were fierce, but they were also a reminder of home, a connection to their lives before being shipped across the seas to serve the Empire.

The man seated in the middle, a large clock resting at his feet, was Sergeant Henry "Harry" Dawson, known for his booming voice and tireless energy. Harry had been in the army for over a decade, having joined right after the Great War. His leadership both on the field and off was respected by all the men. To his right was Private Thomas Green, a quiet but fiercely competitive forward on their football team, his lean build and quick reflexes made him a standout. On the far right, Lieutenant James Bennett, a fresh-faced officer, had recently arrived in Ponna. Despite his rank, he quickly integrated with the men, showing skill in cricket, where he was both an excellent batsman and bowler.

These soldiers, despite their different backgrounds and ranks, found unity in sport. Every afternoon, once duties were done, they would don their white uniforms and head to the field. It was a rare chance to let down their guard, to forget for a moment the tension of military life in a foreign land.

The clock in the photograph had become something of a team mascot. It was old, slightly cracked at the top, and had been left behind by a previous regiment. After each match, whether victorious or defeated, the team would gather around it, posing for photos, as though time itself stood still for them in those fleeting moments of freedom.

The year 1923 would become legendary among the men of Ponna. They played several matches against other regiments and even some local teams. By year's end, they had gained a reputation as a formidable sports team, known for their discipline, skill, and teamwork. Though many of these men would eventually return home or be deployed elsewhere, their time in Ponna remained etched in their memories.

The photograph, now faded with time, captures not just a sports team but a brotherhood, a moment of unity in a world far from their own, where sport became a bridge between duty and escape.


 

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