Suffolk soldier's letters detail daring WW1 missions

Century old letters from a Suffolk soldier are providing insight into a little known military mission.

Captain Gerald Uloth of Woodbridge recorded journeys to India, Persia and Transcaspia (now known as Turkmenistan or wider Central Asia).

First World War in Focus, the National Army Museum’s commemorative website, has published Uloth’s letters.

On fighting alongside anti-Bolsheviks in 1918, Uloth wrote:

Uloth’s regiment was tasked with resisting Bolshevik, German, and Turkish influences in Transcaspia following the Russian revolution.

The captain’s military career began at the Royal Military College Sandhurst in 1911. Upon, graduating Uloth joined the Indian Army and became second lieutenant in Indian Army in 1912. In 1915, Uloth led patrols and skirmishes against rebellious tribesman in Persia.

Alongside these tales, First World War in Focus documents the importance of railway in securing approaches to British India.

In one letter, Uloth describes a typical armoured train:

Uloth’s adventures ended in 1942, when he was discharged as medically unfit. His final journey was one back to Woodbridge. Uloth and his wife settled by the River Debden, where he died in 1973.

You can read Captain Gerald Uloth’s profile on First World War in Focus here.