2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) | |
---|---|
Occupation of the Jordan Valley Battle of Megiddo Capture of Afulah and Beisan Second World War Battle of Gazala Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Battle of Phillora Battle of Chawinda | |
Commanders | |
Colonel of the Regiment | Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth[1] |
Notable commanders | General Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, DSO General Bipin Chandra Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC Lieutenant General Hriday Kaul, PVSM, AVSM Lieutenant General R Sharma, PVSM, AVSM |
The 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) is one of the oldest and a highly decorated armoured regiment of the
Early history
The regiment was raised in 1809 at
The regiment was initially deployed for policing duties in the newly occupied territories around
The regiment first saw service in 1815, during the Anglo-Nepalese War. The regiment showed meritorious service against the Pindari between 1817 and 1819. In late 1819, it was employed on the Eastern frontier invading Arakan. The regiment fought on horses and after losing most of their mounts, fought on foot. They were the only regiment to win the honour ‘Arracan’.[6][7][8]
The 4th Cavalry was raised by Captain C. Newbury at Sultanpur as a cavalry regiment under the company's orders for service with the Nawab of Oudh in 1838.[9] The regiment was later transferred to the Bengal Army in 1840 and saw service in Scinde and the Baloch frontier in 1844, for which they received the Honorary Standard bearing the device of a lion.[6][10]
Uniform
The dress of the regiment originally consisted of an emerald green alkhalak, red pai-jamaas(later changed to the "Multani Mutti" color), and the Persian "Qizilbash" hat (which was later changed to a cloth cap and then a red turban).[11][12]
Company rule in India
The 2nd Lancers participated in the Sutlej and Punjab expeditions against the
British Raj
World War I
The 2nd Lancers was sent to
In February 1918, they left France for
The 4th Cavalry proceeded to France in 1914 as the Meerut Divisional Cavalry. At the Battle of Festubert, they were rushed into battle and along with the 2nd Black Watch, held the line fighting in the trenches in hand-to-hand combat and with their lances.[18] They were transferred to Iraq in the winter of 1915 and took part in the actions to relieve Kut. The 4th finally arrived in India in the winter of 1917.[6]
Gallantry awards
- Pezières, Singh volunteered three times to carry messages between the regiment and brigade headquarters, a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) over open ground which was under heavy fire. He succeeded in delivering the messages, although on each occasion his horse was shot from under him and he was compelled to finish the journey on foot.[19][20]
- Albert Medal : The Albert Medal is awarded for "daring and heroic actions performed by mariners and others in danger of perishing, by reason of wrecks and other perils of the sea". It was awarded on 15 March 1919 to Trooper Mangal Sain, 2nd Indian Lancers (Gardner's Horse) at Beirut, Lebanon. Whilst guarding a party of Turkish prisoners who were being allowed to swim, he saved a prisoner and a British soldier from drowning.[21][22]
- Distinguished Service Order : Captain Douglas Stewart Davison[23]
- Military Cross : Captain Edward William Drummond Vaughan,[24] Lieutenant Ernest St. John King,[25] Risaldar Mukand Singh (2nd Lancers)[26]
- Order of British India : Risaldar Mukand Singh, Risaldar Major Ganga Dat, Risaldar Suraj Singh (2nd Lancers); Risaldar Major Awal Khan, Risaldar Major Saddha Singh, Risaldar Major Kanaya Ram (4th Cavalry)[26]
- Indian Order of Merit : Risaldar Suraj Singh, Sowar / Acting Lance Dafadar Udey Singh, Lance Dafadar Anokh Singh, Sowar Liakat Hussain, Acting Lance Dafadar Sahib Singh, Sowar Shahzad Khan, Dafadar Chuni Lal (2nd Lancers); Lance Dafadar Puran Singh, Lance Dafadar Khazan Singh (4th Cavalry)[26]
- Indian Distinguished Service Medal : 2nd Lancers – 26 medals, 4th Cavalry – 5 medals[26]
- Indian Meritorious Service Medal : 2nd Lancers – 51 medals, 4th Cavalry – 10 medals[26]
- Médaille militaire : Kot Dafadar Sant Singh (2nd Lancers)[26][27]
- Croix de guerre (Belgium) : Sowar Banagopal Singh (2nd Lancers)[26]
- Cross of Kara George, 1st Class with Swords : Lance Dafadar Khazan Singh (4th Cavalry)[26]
- Medal of St. George, 1st Class : Dafadar Amanatullah Khan (4th Cavalry)[26]
Amalgamation
In late 1920, the 4th Cavalry were sent to Palestine on occupation duties, not returning to India until January 1922. At Bombay, in April 1922 they amalgamated with the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) to form the 2nd/4th Cavalry. However this title was short-lived and the new unit was retitled 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) by July 1922.[28]
Second World War
The regiment served in the
In 1942, during the
After a three-month stay at
Gallantry awards
- Distinguished Service Order : Major Raj Kumar Shri Rajendrasinghji[32]
- Military Cross : Captain A.H. McConnel, Captain D McV Reynolds, 2nd J.E. Miller,[33] Captain CF Williams, Jemadar Hari Raj Singh, Jemadar Lakhi Ram, Jemadar Ran Pratap Singh[34]
- Indian Order of Merit : Lance Dafadar Mehbub Ali Khan[33]
- Indian Distinguished Service Medal : Risaldar Lakhan Singh, Daffadar Risal Singh, Daffadar Ghulam Rabani[33]
- Military Medal : Sowar Mohd Salim Khan[34]
Independent India
In August 1947, the Regiment was based on
In January 1953, General Maharaj Rajendra Shinji assumed the appointment of the
1965 War
In September 1965, the 2nd Lancers took part in the
Post-war
On 10 August 1966, following the war, the regiment was the first in the military to receive the
Regiment's name changes
Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) underwent many name changes during various reorganisations, as listed below -
- 1809 Gardner's Horse
- 1823 2nd (Gardner's) Local horse
- 1840 2nd Irregular Cavalry
- 1861 2nd Regt. of Bengal Cavalry
- 1890 2nd Regt. Of Bengal Lancers
- 1901 2nd Bengal Lancers
- 1903 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
- 1922 (April) 2nd/4th Cavalry
- 1922 (July) 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
- 1935 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
- 1947 To Indian Army upon Partition
- 1950 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) upon India becoming a Republic[7][8]
Battle Honours
Arracan, Sobraon, Punjaub, Mooltan, Afghanistan 1879–80, Tel-El-Kabir, Egypt 1882, La Bassee 1914, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Festubert 1915, Somme 1916, Morval, Cambrai 1917, France and Flanders 1914–18, Egypt 1915, Meggido, Sharon Damascus, Palestine 1918, Tigris 1916, Mesopotamia 1915–16, Afghanistan 1919, North Africa 1940–43, Point 171,[7][41] Punjab.
Regimental Day
During First World War, for its gallant actions in the Battle of Cambrai in France the regiment was mentioned in the Cambrai Dispatch by Field Marshall Lord Douglas Haig. Since, then Cambrai Day i.e. 30 November is celebrated as a Battle Honour day.[42]
Alliance
The alliance between the Royal Tank Regiment and 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) was promulgated in Defence Council Instruction (Army) T 52 of 1973.[7]
Notable Officers
General Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, DSO was the first Chief of Army Staff (COAS). On 1 July 1993, General Bipin Chandra Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC became the second officer from the regiment to become the COAS. The Regiment also holds the distinction of having produced two Army Commanders, Lieutenant General Hriday Kaul PVSM, AVSM (GOC-in-C Western Command) and Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth AVSM (GOC-in-C South Western Command) and one Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General R Sharma PVSM, AVSM.[43][44][45]
Regimental Insignia
The 2nd Bengal Lancers insignia consisted of four crossed lances with the letters ‘’2BL’’, whereas the 4th Bengal Lancers had two crossed lances overlaid by the crown and mounted by the lion passant guardant – derived from the Honorary Standard it received in 1844. Earning the nickname, the “Sindh Lions” all ranks of the Regiment were authorized to wear on its accoutrements a badge representing a unique Lion “Passant Ragardant”. The lances are overlaid by a scroll with the word ‘’SCINDE’’ and the Roman numeral ‘’IV’’.[46]
Following the amalgamation of the successor units, the 2nd Lancers insignia combined elements from both units – it consisted of a central voided lion surrounded by circular band with HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, all superimposed on four crossed lances with the crown above the band.[47] Post independence, the insignia consists of a lion passant reguardant surrounded by a belt inside which is the embossed inscription: SECOND LANCERS (G.H.), the belt is surmounted by the Lions of Ashoka and is backed by four crossed lances.[10] Second Lancers (Gardener's Horse) is the only unit in the Indian Army which is authorised to bear its unique insignia of the Lion on all its vehicles during peace time.
The shoulder title consisted of "2RL" prior to independence and "2L" after independence.
References
- ^ "Gazette of India, No 44" (PDF). 3 November 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ Indian Army List for January 1941. Army Headquarters, India. 1941. p. 645.
- ^ D. E. Whitworth (1924). A History of the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse): From 1809 to 1922. University of Minnesota. p. 3.
- ISBN 9781473814981.
- ISBN 9780521663601.
- ^ a b c d Jackson, Donovan (1940). India's Army. Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd. pp. 35–40.
- ^ a b c d "2nd Lancers". The Royal Tank Regiment Association. 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ a b Saroop, Narindar (1983). Gardner of Gardner's Horse, 2nd Lancers, Indian Army. Palit & Palit Publishers.
- ^ Indian Army List for July 1912. Army Headquarters, India. 1912. p. 311.
- ^ a b "Badge, Headdress, Indian, 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)". Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ D. E. Whitworth (1924). A History of the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse): From 1809 to 1922. University of Minnesota. p. 3.
- ^ John Jacob (1848). Papers on Sillidar Cavalry as it Is, and as it Might be. The British Library. p. 23.
- ^ "cwgc.org". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012.
- ^ "Appendix I: Order of Battle of The Indian Army Corps in France, 1914-15" (PDF). Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ Haythornthwaite P.J. (1992). The World War One Sourcebook, Arms and Armour Press.
- ^ "Indian Cavalry In Palestine". 21 May 1919. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "Second Supplement to the London Gazette". 3 February 1920. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "British Army Battle of Aubers Ridge and Festubert 1915, archived" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Sixth Supplement To The London Gazette Of Tuesday, the 8th of January, 1918". The London Gazette (30471): 725. 11 January 1918.
- ^ "British initiative to make known heroics of war heroes". 16 July 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ The Long, Long Trail; Military Recipients of the Albert Medal (1914–1919). Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "The London Gazette". 11 July 1919. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "The Edinburgh -Gazette". 1 August 1919. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "The Edinburgh Gazette". 1 August 1919. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "The Edinburgh Gazette". 1 August 1919. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i India, Adjutant General of (1930). List of Honours Awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921. Committee Indian War Memorial Delhi.
- ^ "The Edinburgh Gazette". 28 February 1916. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ Vaughan, (C.B., D.S.O., M.C.) Brigadier E.W.D. (1951). A history of the 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse) (1922–1947) page 3.
- ISBN 0-8117-3413-7
- ^ Vaughan, (C.B., D.S.O., M.C.) Brigadier E.W.D. (1951). A history of the 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse) (1922–1947) page 157.
- ^ Vaughan, (C.B., D.S.O., M.C.) Brigadier E.W.D. (1951). A history of the 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse) (1922–1947) page 173.
- ^ The Tiger Strikes. Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India. 1942. p. 148.
- ^ a b c The Tiger Kills. Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India. 1944. p. 309.
- ^ a b "Supplement To The London Gazette" (PDF). 1 November 1945. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ISBN 978-81-8274-909-2.
- ^ "Battle of Phillora 1965 War". 20 October 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "As Brig Nisar passes away, read how he led Pak artillery to break Indian attack in Chawinda in 'The Print'". 5 August 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "Gazette of India, No 1" (PDF). 7 January 1967. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ "Gazette of India, No 45" (PDF). 5 November 1966. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ "Bicentenary Stamp". Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ Indian Army List for January 1941. Army Headquarters, India. 1941. p. 645.
- ^ "Gardner's Horse bicentenary". Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ "Former Western Command GOC-in-C passes away at 85". 3 December 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ "Lt Gen R Sharma is new Deputy Chief of Army Staff" (PDF). 22 August 1991. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ PTI. "Lt Gen B S Raju retires as Western Command GOC in chief". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "2nd Lancers". Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ "Badge, Headdress, Indian, 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse), Officers". Retrieved 22 April 2021.
Further reading
- Kempton, C (1996). A Register of Titles of the Units of the H.E.I.C. & Indian Armies 1666–1947. Bristol: British Empire & Commonwealth Museum. ISBN 978-0-9530174-0-9
- Gaylor, J (1992). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903– 1991. Stroud: Spellmount Publishers Ltd. ISBN 978-0-946771-98-1
- D.E.Whitworth (2005) (Paperback edition) History of the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) from 1809–1922. Naval & Military Press Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84574-316-1
- Vaughan, (C.B., D.S.O., M.C.) Brigadier E.W.D. (1951). A history of the 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse) (1922–1947). Sifton Praed & Co. Ltd.