18th King Edward's Own Cavalry
Encyclopedia
The 18th King Edward's Own Cavalry was a regular cavalry
regiment in the British Indian Army
. It was formed in 1922 by the amalagamation of the 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry and the 7th Hariana Lancers. These regiments served the British Crown from before the Indian Mutiny to World War II
.
was raised at Fatehgarh
in 1842 by Lt W H Ryves as the 8th Regiment of Bengal Irregular Cavalry,
Ther first action was in 1843 during the Gwalior Campaign in central India for which they earned the battle honour Punniar.
In 1845 they were involved in the First Anglo-Sikh War
and participated in the Battle of Moodkee
the
Battle of Ferozeshah
and the Battle of Sobraon
They were next in action in Egypt
during the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War where they were awarded the battle honours
Egypt 1882 as a theatre honour and also honours for the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir. It was while on service in Egypt that Karki
was worn by all ranks for the first time.
During World War I
they were part of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division
, 2nd (Sailkot) Cavalry Brigade which arrived in France in November 1914. They were involved in the First Battle of Ypres
and other actions on the Western Front
but notably in, the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
and the Battle of Cambrai
The brigade formation was;
was formed in 1846 as a regiment of Bengal Irregular Cavalry raised in Meerut and Cawnpore by Captain Liptrott. The Regiment was raised after the First Sikh War in anticipation of the Second War starting. When the Second Sikh War broke out, they did not become involved in any engagements but found themselves in the reserve force.
In 1857 when the Indian Mutiny broke out they were stationed on the North West Frontier
the regiment remained loyal and did not mutiny. As a result of the mutiny and the reconstruction of the Bengal
army, the irregular cavalry regiments 8th to 16th were disbanded and the 17th became the 7th Bengal Cavalry.
They went to Burma in 1886 during the 3rd Burmese War which would be their last action until the Great War.
In 1915 during World War I
they were part of the forces sent to Mesopotamia and fought in the Battle of Shaiba
where on 13 Apr Major Wheeler received a posthumous VC. They would lose a squadron in the actions at Kut-Al-Amara
, they returned to Bolarum
in October 1916.
Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 7th Cavalry underwent many name changes in the various reorganisations. They are listed below.
There seems to be no reason for the name chosen in the 1904 reorganisation other than a large number of the men came from that district.
, Major George Godfrey Massy Wheeler
.
On 12 April 1915 at Shaiba, Mesopotamia
, Major Wheeler led his squadron in an attempt to capture a flag which was the centre-point of a group of the enemy who were firing on one of his troop's picquets. He advanced, attacked the enemy's infantry with the lance, and then retired while the enemy swarmed out of hidden ground where Royal Artillery
guns could attack them. On 13 April Major Wheeler led his squadron to the attack of the North Mound. He was seen far ahead of his men, riding straight for the enemy's standards, but was killed in the attack.
the regiment was mechanised in December 1940 and attached to the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade
which as initially part of the 31st Indian Armoured Division
.
The brigade was sent to Egypt
and the Western Desert Campaign
and was attached to a number of different formations including the 2nd Armoured Division, 7th Armoured Division and the 9th Australian Division who they were with at the Siege of Tobruk
.
It also supplied men for the Indian Long Range Squadron
. The brigade was later overrun by the Italians during the Battle of Gazala
and took some days to reform.
In 1942 the brigade returned to the 31st Armoured and was stationed in Iraq
as part of Paiforce.
The Brigade formation was:
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment in the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
. It was formed in 1922 by the amalagamation of the 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry and the 7th Hariana Lancers. These regiments served the British Crown from before the Indian Mutiny to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
6th King Edward's Own Cavalry
The 6th King Edward' Own Cavalry6th Prince of Wales's Cavalry
- Origin :Raised in 1842 at Fatehgarh by Lieut. Ryves, they first saw service in the Gwalior campaign earning the battle honour “Punniar”.The various changes and amalgamations are listed below.- History :*1842 8th Irregular Cavalry...
was raised at Fatehgarh
Fatehgarh
Fatehgarh is a cantonment town in Farrukhabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located on the right bank of the Ganges River. It is the administrative headquarters of Farrukhabad District. Fatehgarh derives its name from an old fort. It is a small city with no significant...
in 1842 by Lt W H Ryves as the 8th Regiment of Bengal Irregular Cavalry,
- In 1861 became the 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
- In 1883 became the 6th (the Prince of Wales) Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
- In 1901 became the 6th (Prince of Wales) Bengal Cavalry
- In 1906 became the 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry
Ther first action was in 1843 during the Gwalior Campaign in central India for which they earned the battle honour Punniar.
In 1845 they were involved in the First Anglo-Sikh War
First Anglo-Sikh War
The First Anglo-Sikh War was fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company between 1845 and 1846. It resulted in partial subjugation of the Sikh kingdom.-Background and causes of the war:...
and participated in the Battle of Moodkee
Battle of Mudki
The Battle of Mudki was fought on 18 December 1845, between the forces of the British East India Company and part of the Khalsa, the army of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. The British army won an untidy encounter battle, suffering heavy casualties....
the
Battle of Ferozeshah
Battle of Ferozeshah
The Battle of Ferozeshah was fought on 21 December and 22 December 1845 between the British and the Sikhs, at the village of Ferozeshah in Punjab. The British were led by Sir Hugh Gough and Governor-General Sir Henry Hardinge, while the Sikhs were led by Lal Singh.The British emerged victorious,...
and the Battle of Sobraon
Battle of Sobraon
The Battle of Sobraon was fought on 10 February 1846, between the forces of the British East India Company and the Sikh Khalsa Army, the army of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab...
They were next in action in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
during the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War where they were awarded the battle honours
Egypt 1882 as a theatre honour and also honours for the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir. It was while on service in Egypt that Karki
Karki
Karki may refer to: * Karki, Azerbaijan, a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan* Karki , a surname originating from Nepal* Karki, Karnataka, a village in Uttara Kannada district of the Karnataka state in India...
was worn by all ranks for the first time.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
they were part of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division
1st Indian Cavalry Division
The 1st Indian Cavalry Division was a regular division of the British Indian Army. The division sailed for France from Bombay on October 16, 1914 , under the command of Major General H D Fanshawe. The division was re designated the 4th Cavalry Division in November 1916. During the war the Division...
, 2nd (Sailkot) Cavalry Brigade which arrived in France in November 1914. They were involved in the First Battle of Ypres
First Battle of Ypres
The First Battle of Ypres, also called the First Battle of Flanders , was a First World War battle fought for the strategic town of Ypres in western Belgium...
and other actions on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
but notably in, the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
and the Battle of Cambrai
Battle of Cambrai
The Battle of Cambrai was a British campaign of the First World War. Cambrai, in the Nord département , was a key supply point for the German Siegfried Stellung and the nearby Bourlon Ridge would be an excellent gain from which to threaten the rear of the German line to the north...
The brigade formation was;
- 17th Lancers17th LancersThe 17th Lancers was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, notable for its participation in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War...
(Duke of Cambridge's Own) - 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry
- 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse)
- Brigade Signal Troop
7th Hariana Lancers
The 7th Hariana Lancers7th Hariana Lancers
- Origin :The regiment began as Bengal irregular cavalry raised in Meerut and Cawnpore by Captain Liptrott.Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 7th Cavalry underwent many name changes in the various reorganisations...
was formed in 1846 as a regiment of Bengal Irregular Cavalry raised in Meerut and Cawnpore by Captain Liptrott. The Regiment was raised after the First Sikh War in anticipation of the Second War starting. When the Second Sikh War broke out, they did not become involved in any engagements but found themselves in the reserve force.
In 1857 when the Indian Mutiny broke out they were stationed on the North West Frontier
North-West Frontier (military history)
The North-West Frontier was the most difficult area, from a military point of view, of the former British India in the Indian sub-continent. It remains the frontier of present-day Pakistan, extending from the Pamir Knot in the north to the Koh-i-Malik Siah in the west, and separating the...
the regiment remained loyal and did not mutiny. As a result of the mutiny and the reconstruction of the Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
army, the irregular cavalry regiments 8th to 16th were disbanded and the 17th became the 7th Bengal Cavalry.
They went to Burma in 1886 during the 3rd Burmese War which would be their last action until the Great War.
In 1915 during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
they were part of the forces sent to Mesopotamia and fought in the Battle of Shaiba
Battle of Shaiba
The Battle of Shaiba, 12–14 April 1915 was between British forces and Ottoman forces that were trying to retake the city of Basra from the British.-Background:...
where on 13 Apr Major Wheeler received a posthumous VC. They would lose a squadron in the actions at Kut-Al-Amara
Siege of Kut
The siege of Kut Al Amara , was the besieging of 8,000 strong British-Indian garrison in the town of Kut, 100 miles south of Baghdad, by the Ottoman Army. Its known also as 1st Battle of Kut. In 1915, its population was around 6,500...
, they returned to Bolarum
Bolarum
Bolarum also spelled as Bolaram, Bollarum, and Bollaram is one of the major suburbs of Hyderabad, India. Geographically, a part of Bolarum is in Hyderabad district while another is in Ranga Reddy District...
in October 1916.
Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 7th Cavalry underwent many name changes in the various reorganisations. They are listed below.
There seems to be no reason for the name chosen in the 1904 reorganisation other than a large number of the men came from that district.
- In 1846 16th Irregular Cavalry
- In 1847 became the 17th Irregular Cavalry
- In 1861 became the 7th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
- In 1900 became the 7th Regiment of Bengal Lancers
- In 1901 became the 7th Bengal Lancers
- In 1903 became the 7th Lancers
- In 1904 became the 7th Hariana Lancers.
Victoria Cross
One member of the 7th Hariana Lancers was awarded the Victoria CrossVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, Major George Godfrey Massy Wheeler
George Godfrey Massy Wheeler
George Godfrey Massy Wheeler VC was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
.
On 12 April 1915 at Shaiba, Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
, Major Wheeler led his squadron in an attempt to capture a flag which was the centre-point of a group of the enemy who were firing on one of his troop's picquets. He advanced, attacked the enemy's infantry with the lance, and then retired while the enemy swarmed out of hidden ground where Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
guns could attack them. On 13 April Major Wheeler led his squadron to the attack of the North Mound. He was seen far ahead of his men, riding straight for the enemy's standards, but was killed in the attack.
World War II
In World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the regiment was mechanised in December 1940 and attached to the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade
3rd Indian Motor Brigade
The 3rd Indian Motor Brigade was a unit of the Indian Army during World War II, formed in 1940. In its short history one of its regiments would be involved in the siege of Tobruk and the brigade was twice overrun during the Western Desert Campaign by units of the Afrika Corps and the Italian...
which as initially part of the 31st Indian Armoured Division
31st Indian Armoured Division
The 31st Indian Armoured Division was an armoured formation of the Indian Army during World War II, formed in 1940, as 1st Indian Armoured Division; it consisted of units of the British Army and the British Indian Army...
.
The brigade was sent to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and the Western Desert Campaign
Western Desert Campaign
The Western Desert Campaign, also known as the Desert War, was the initial stage of the North African Campaign during the Second World War. The campaign was heavily influenced by the availability of supplies and transport. The ability of the Allied forces, operating from besieged Malta, to...
and was attached to a number of different formations including the 2nd Armoured Division, 7th Armoured Division and the 9th Australian Division who they were with at the Siege of Tobruk
Siege of Tobruk
The siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 240 days between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War...
.
It also supplied men for the Indian Long Range Squadron
Indian Long Range Squadron
The Indian Long Range Squadron or ILRS was a unit of the British Indian Army during the Second World War. It was formed by asking for volunteers from the, 2nd Lancers, 11th Cavalry and the 18th Cavalry all part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade. It was originally formed to patrol the borders between...
. The brigade was later overrun by the Italians during the Battle of Gazala
Battle of Gazala
The Battle of Gazala was an important battle of the Second World War Western Desert Campaign, fought around the port of Tobruk in Libya from 26 May-21 June 1942...
and took some days to reform.
In 1942 the brigade returned to the 31st Armoured and was stationed in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
as part of Paiforce.
The Brigade formation was:
- 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)The 2nd Lancers was a cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army raised in 1809. It served in the Nepal and First World Wars. During the reconstruction of the British Indian Army in 1922 it was amalgamated with the 4th Cavalry....
, equipment Cavalry Carrier – 2 x Recon Sqn, 1 x AT Sqn. - 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)The 11th Cavalry also known as PAVO Cavalry, is an armoured regiment of the Pakistan Army. It was previously known as the 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry and was a regular cavalry regiment of the old British Indian Army...
equipment Cavalry Carrier - 2 x Recon Sqn, 1 x AT Sqn. - 18th King Edward's Own Cavalry, equipment Cavalry Carrier - 2 x Recon Sqn, 1 x AT Sqn.
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
- Bengal Cavalry Regiments 1857-1914 By R. G. Harris, Christopher Warner. ISBN 978-0-85045-308-9
- Gurcharn Singh Sandhu, I serve ("Ich dien"): saga of the Eighteenth Cavalry, Lancer International, 1991 (Original from the University of California) Digitized 4 Sep 2008, ISBN 8170621046, 9788170621041
External links
Follow this link to view the uniforms of the late 19th Century- http://www.members.tripod.com/~Glosters/IAcavalry1.htm