6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse)
Encyclopedia
The 6 Lancers is an armoured regiment of Pakistan Army
. Previously, it was known as the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse), which was a regular cavalry regiment in the British Indian Army
. It was formed in 1921 by amalgamation of the 13th Duke of Connaught's Lancers (Watson's Horse) and 16th Cavalry. The regiment and its predecessors have seen active service on the North West Frontier
, in Egypt
during 1882, in China
during the Boxer Rebellion
, the two World Wars and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
. On the Partition of India
in 1947, the regiment was allotted to the Pakistan Army, where it remains in service today.
, as the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry by Lieutenants H Cattley and John Watson
. Watson was appointed the commandant but did not join until 1860. He would go on to command the regiment for eleven years and is better known for introducing changes in the riding practices of the cavalry, whereby the rider would rise in the stirrups during the trot instead of bumping along in the saddle. The regiment served in the Second Afghan War of 1878–80 and in Egypt
in 1882, where they fought against Arabi Pasha at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. They so impressed the Duke of Connaught that he requested his mother Queen Victoria to appoint him as their Colonel-in-Chief
. In 1897, the regiment was engaged in suppressing the tribal uprisings on the North West Frontier. During the First World War, the regiment remained on the North West Frontier
until July 1916, when they moved to Mesopotamia
for the relief of Kut-al-Amara. On their return, they served in Waziristan
during the Third Afghan War in 1919.
. In 1864, the regiment was sent to conquer Bhutan
as part of the Bhutan Field Force. In 1882, it was disbanded when three regiments were broken up to provide an additional, fourth squadron for the other regiments. However, fears of a Russian invasion led to the approval for an increase in strength of the cavalry and the 16th Cavalry was reformed in 1885 at Ambala
. In 1900, the regiment went to China to relieve the international legations in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion
. On relieving the American Legation, the 16th Cavalry was presented with the United States flag, which had flown over the building and, for many years, the flag hung in the Officers' Mess. During the First World War, the 16th Cavalry served in the Mesopotamian Campaign
. After the war, it served in the Third Afghan War of 1919.
During the Second World War, the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers, now mounted on armoured cars, served as the Reconnaissance Regiment of 8th Indian Division in the Italian Campaign
. The regiment was engaged in a number of actions, most notably the Second Battle of Cassino, Monte Moro, crossing of the Rivers Po and Adige and the race to Venice
. In August 1947, on the Partition of India
, the 6th DCO Lancers was allotted to Pakistan. The regiment's Jat Squadron went to the 7th Light Cavalry
in exchange for their Punjabi Mussalman Squadron, while the Sikh Squadron was exchanged with the Punjabi Mussalmans of 8th King George V's Own Light Cavalry.
In 1956, Pakistan became a republic and all titles pertaining to the British royalty were dropped. The regiment's new designation was 6 Lancers. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
, 6 Lancers spearheaded the Pakistan Army's advance in the Kasur
Sector and captured the Indian town of Khem Karan under the dynamic leadership of their gallant Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Sahib Zad Gul, who fell in battle while leading his regiment.
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
. Previously, it was known as the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse), which was a regular cavalry 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 1921 by amalgamation of the 13th Duke of Connaught's Lancers (Watson's Horse) and 16th Cavalry. The regiment and its predecessors have seen active service 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...
, 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 1882, in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
, the two World Wars and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
. On the Partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
in 1947, the regiment was allotted to the Pakistan Army, where it remains in service today.
13th Duke of Connaught's Lancers (Watson’s Horse)
The 13th Duke of Connaught's Lancer was originally raised in 1857, at LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, as the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry by Lieutenants H Cattley and John Watson
John Watson (VC)
General Sir John Watson VC, GCB was an English 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. An officer serving with the Bengal Army, Watson received his Victoria Cross for...
. Watson was appointed the commandant but did not join until 1860. He would go on to command the regiment for eleven years and is better known for introducing changes in the riding practices of the cavalry, whereby the rider would rise in the stirrups during the trot instead of bumping along in the saddle. The regiment served in the Second Afghan War of 1878–80 and 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...
in 1882, where they fought against Arabi Pasha at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. They so impressed the Duke of Connaught that he requested his mother Queen Victoria to appoint him as their Colonel-in-Chief
Colonel-in-Chief
In the various Commonwealth armies, the Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment is its patron. This position is distinct from that of Colonel of the Regiment. They do not have an operational role. They are however kept informed of all important activities of the regiment, and pay occasional visits to its...
. In 1897, the regiment was engaged in suppressing the tribal uprisings on the North West Frontier. During the First World War, the regiment remained 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...
until July 1916, when they moved to 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...
for the relief of Kut-al-Amara. On their return, they served in Waziristan
Waziristan
Waziristan is a mountainous region near the Northwest of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² . The area is entirely populated by ethnic Pashtuns . The language spoken in the valley is Pashto/Pakhto...
during the Third Afghan War in 1919.
- 1857 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry
- 1861 13th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
- 1864 13th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry (Lancers)
- 1874 13th Regiment of Bengal Lancers
- 1884 13th (Duke of Connaught’s) Regiment of Bengal Lancers
- 1901 13th (Duke of Connaught’s) Bengal Lancers
- 1903 13th Duke of Connaught’s Lancers
- 1904 13th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers (Watson’s Horse)
16th Cavalry
The 16th Cavalry was raised as the Rohilcund Horse at Haldwani in 1857 and spent the next two years pacifying the RohilkhandRohilkhand
Rohilkhand is a region of northwestern Uttar Pradesh state of India.Rohilkhand lies on the upper Ganges alluvial plain and has an area of about 25,000 km²/10,000 square miles...
. In 1864, the regiment was sent to conquer Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
as part of the Bhutan Field Force. In 1882, it was disbanded when three regiments were broken up to provide an additional, fourth squadron for the other regiments. However, fears of a Russian invasion led to the approval for an increase in strength of the cavalry and the 16th Cavalry was reformed in 1885 at Ambala
Ambala
Ambala is a city and a municipal corporation in Ambala district in the state of Haryana, India, located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. Politically; Ambala has two sub-areas: Ambala Cantt and Ambala City, approximately 3 kilometers apart from each other...
. In 1900, the regiment went to China to relieve the international legations in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
. On relieving the American Legation, the 16th Cavalry was presented with the United States flag, which had flown over the building and, for many years, the flag hung in the Officers' Mess. During the First World War, the 16th Cavalry served in the Mesopotamian Campaign
Mesopotamian Campaign
The Mesopotamian campaign was a campaign in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I fought between the Allies represented by the British Empire, mostly troops from the Indian Empire, and the Central Powers, mostly of the Ottoman Empire.- Background :...
. After the war, it served in the Third Afghan War of 1919.
- 1857 Rohilcund Horse
- 1861 16th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
- 1864 16th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry (Lancers)
- 1874 16th Regiment of Bengal Lancers
- 1882 Disbanded
- 1885 16th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry (re-raised)
- 1901 16th Bengal Lancers
- 1903 16th Cavalry
6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers (Watson’s Horse)
After the First World War, the number of Indian cavalry regiments was reduced from thirty-nine to twenty-one. However, instead of disbanding the surplus units, it was decided to amalgamate them in pairs. This resulted in renumbering and renaming of the entire cavalry line. The 13th Duke of Connaught's Lancers (Watson’s Horse) and 16th Cavalry were amalgamated at Meerut on 1 June 1921 as 13th/16th Cavalry; becoming the 6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers a year later. Their uniform was blue with scarlet facings, while the new badge was to be crossed lances with the figure '6' on the intersection and a scroll below, reading 'The Duke of Connaught's Own'. Their class composition was one squadron each of Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Dogras.During the Second World War, the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers, now mounted on armoured cars, served as the Reconnaissance Regiment of 8th Indian Division in the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
. The regiment was engaged in a number of actions, most notably the Second Battle of Cassino, Monte Moro, crossing of the Rivers Po and Adige and the race to Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. In August 1947, on the Partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
, the 6th DCO Lancers was allotted to Pakistan. The regiment's Jat Squadron went to the 7th Light Cavalry
7th Light Cavalry
The 7th Light Cavalry, was a regular army cavalry regiment in the British Indian Army which first came into British service with the East India Company and went on to serve on the North West Frontier and in World War I and World War II.-Formation:...
in exchange for their Punjabi Mussalman Squadron, while the Sikh Squadron was exchanged with the Punjabi Mussalmans of 8th King George V's Own Light Cavalry.
In 1956, Pakistan became a republic and all titles pertaining to the British royalty were dropped. The regiment's new designation was 6 Lancers. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, 6 Lancers spearheaded the Pakistan Army's advance in the Kasur
Kasur
Kasur , the capital of Kasur District in Pakistan. Kasur is located adjacent to the border of Ganda Singh Wala between Pakistan and India, and is a tourist attraction because of the daily occurring Flags lowering ceremony...
Sector and captured the Indian town of Khem Karan under the dynamic leadership of their gallant Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Sahib Zad Gul, who fell in battle while leading his regiment.
- 1921 13th/16th Cavalry (amalgamation)
- 1922 6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers
- 1927 6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers (Watson’s Horse)
- 1956 6 Lancers
Battle Honours
Afghanistan 1878–80, Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt 1882, Punjab Frontier, China 1900, Shaiba, Kut al Amara 1915, Ctesiphon, Tigris 1916, Baghdad, Kut al Amara 1917, Sharqat, Mesopotamia 1915–18, NW Frontier, India 1915, Afghanistan 1919, The Trigno, Tuffilo, The Sangro, The Moro, Cassino II, Pignataro, Liri Valley, The Senio, Santerno Crossing, Italy 1943–45, Khem Karan 1965.Further reading
- Brock, Maj F. (1948).The 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers in Italy. Published privately.
- Gaylor, John. (1991). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903- 1991. Stroud: Spellmount Publishers Ltd. ISBN 978–0946771981
- Cardew, FG. (1903). A Sketch of the Services of the Bengal Native Army to the Year 1895. Calcutta: Military Department.
- Harris, RG, and Warner, C. (1979). Bengal Cavalry Regiments 1857–1914. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978–0-85045–308–9.
- Elliott, Maj Gen JG. (1968). The Frontier 1839–1947: The Story of the North-West Frontier of India. London: Cassell.
- Trench, CC. (1988). The Indian Army and the King’s Enemies, 1900–1947. London: Thames and Hudson.