Major General William Alfred Dimoline (1897-1965)
Following service with the East Surrey Regiment in the First World War, William Dimoline transferred to the Royal Signals. This was followed by service in India, Nigeria and Iraq before a return to India where he was based at the Staff College in Quetta during the earthquake in May 1935.
Between 30-60,000 civilians were killed in the natural disaster which raised to the ground buildings and other infrastructure and entombed tens of thousands. A humanitarian relief effort was launched by the civilian and military authorities and a cross section of diaries, reports and published accounts of the disaster and its aftermath are featured in Serving Soldier. They throw into relief civilian-military working relationships at a time of confusion and trauma.
The collection also includes photographs, cuttings, telegrams and other material from Dimoline's service in West Africa.
Photographs and other papers covering his Second World War and post-war career, in which he commanded the 22, 26 and 28 East African Brigade and the King's African Rifles in Northern Rhodesia in the 1950s and 1960s, can be consulted in the Centre.
Related items
"The Quetta Quakes": Dimoline, W A
Photos of performances by "The Quetta Quakes" during William Alfred Dimoline's service as Signals Officer with 2 Indian Div Signals, Quetta, Pakistan.
Nigeria Diary: Dimoline, W A
Extracts from the manuscript personal diary relating to William Alfred Dimoline's service in Nigeria, Jan-Jun 1924, including details of the birth of his first daughter, with telegrams, advertisements…
Papers Of Quetta: Dimoline, W A
Papers and pictures relating to William Alfred Dimoline's service as Signals Officer with 2 Indian Div Signals, Quetta, Pakistan, including health certificates, receipts of posting, and letter from Capt…
Postcards Of Quetta: Dimoline, W A
Postcards and pictures relating to William Alfred Dimoline's service as Signals Officer with 2 Indian Div Signals, Quetta, Pakistan.
Quetta Earthquake Report: Dimoline, W A
Report published by the Government of India on the natural disaster and the authorities' response.
