Recollections

I WAS sorry to read of the death of FIELD MARSHAL SAM MANEKSHAW in Fred Bridgland's excellent obituary (4 July). In 1960, I was among a handful of overseas students at the Defence Services Staff College in India. On arrival it was very hot so I went to seek out a gin and tonic in the mess. There was one other officer there who, on offering to buy me a drink, introduced himself as Mackintoosh. As we drank "the other half", he asked me about two officers (long retired

"They are both well", I said. He then revealed that they had served with him in the 2nd Bn in India in the Thirties, when the Jocks had called him Mr Mackintoosh. He was, of course, the commandant, Major-General Sam Manekshaw. A truly outstanding charismatic leader with great vision, courage and a wonderful sense of humour.

LT-GEN SIR ROBERT RICHARDSON