Page 239 - Leadership in the Indian Army

Major Jebens’ assessment was endorsed by the Commandant, who seemed
genuinely happy to see that Prem was able and willing to take good advice.
Apart from the report by his company commander, Brigadier Kingsley had

another reason to revise his opinion about Bhagat. About six months earlier,
in the third term, selections were being made for the technical arms—
Artillery, Engineers and Signals. Those selected were to be transferred to
Woolwich Wing, which laid greater stress on mathematics and science
subjects. There were only three vacancies in Engineers, and four GCs had
applied—Shiv Dayal Singh, Y.C. Tiwari, Arjan Singh and P.S. Bhagat. The
Commandant called Prem and Arjan to his office and after explaining the

situation, suggested that Arjan Singh withdraw. Even before Arjan could
respond, Prem offered to withdraw his own name. The Commandant was
surprised and impressed. He rang up Army HQ and requested them to allot
an additional vacancy, making it possible for both of them to get Engineers.
Arjan Singh and Shiv Dayal were assigned to Bengal Sappers; Tewari to
Madras Sappers; and Prem to Bombay Sappers.

Prem’s individualistic streak and propensity to stand out in a crowd were
evident in the Academy itself. For some reason, he always wore his peak
cap at a rakish angle and was frequently ticked off on the drill square for
being improperly dressed. Once, he was marched up to the Adjutant,
Captain A.G. Bennet, who was regarded as a veritable terror.

‘What do you have to say for yourself?’ roared the Adjutant.
‘Nothing, Sir,’ replied Prem. ‘I just like to wear my cap that way.’
‘Don’t you know,’ thundered the Adjutant, ‘that only the Prince of Wales

has the privilege of wearing his cap at an angle?’
Prem’s reply left even the formidable Captain Bennet dumbfounded.
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I am no less than the Prince of Wales.’

Prem was commissioned on 15 July 1939 and proceeded to the Bombay
Engineer Group located at Poona, where his elder brother Tony was also
posted. Soon after World War II began in September 1939, he was posted to
21 Field Company, also located at Poona. As a young officer, he enjoyed
the social life of the city, and was a frequent visitor to the Poona Club, also
known as the New Club (the Poona Gymkhana was still not admitting

Indians), and the races. He soon became acquainted with some married
officers and began visiting their homes frequently. Prominent among them
were Colonel R.K. Dhawan and Colonel M.G. Bhandari of the Army