A Brief History of the 3rd Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment

76th Punjabis
16th Madras Infantry
16th Regiment, Madras Native Infantry
2nd Battalion, 5th Madras Native Infantry
16th Madras Battalion
16th Carnatic Battalion, or Lane’s Battalion

THIS HISTORY IS DEDICATED TO THE
MEMORY OF OUR COMRADES
OF ALL RANKS OF THE
76TH PUNJABIS
WHO WERE KILLED OR DIED DURING
THE GREAT WAR

This brief history has been compiled and published to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Raising of the 16th Carnatic Battalion and its continuous service from 1776 to this date.

Owing to a threatened invasion of the Carnatic by the Mahrattas, the growing power of Hyder Ali of Mysore, and war with the French, it was considered necessary to increase the troops of the Madras Government. The native portion of the army then consisted of eight battalions, and eight more were raised, the present 3rd Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment being formed by drafts from the other battalions and designated the 16th Carnatic Battalion or “Lane’s” Battalion. Captain Thomas Lane was the first Commandant, and Ensign James Richardson the first Adjutant.

The Battalion remained at Trichinopoly, where it was raised, until 1778, when it joined the main army under Sir Hector Munro for the reduction of the French Settlement of Pondicherry. This place was invested on August 8th and capitulated on October 17th. The Battalion’s casualties were:—Killed—1 sergeant, 1 naik, 19 sepoys. Wounded—1 lieutenant, 5 havildars, 2 naiks, 1 drummer, 26 sepoys. A total of 56.

The 16th was one of the battalions left to garrison the town and to assist in dismantling the defences.

In September, 1780, Hyder Ali, the Sultan of Mysore, invaded the Carnatic in alliance with the French. The Battalion, less one company under Lieutenant Bishop at Permacoil Fort, joined the main army which marched to Conjeeveram, with the object of joining hands with a detachment under Colonel Baillie, which was marching from Guntoor.

This detachment was attacked by Hyder Ali within eight miles of the main army. Sir Hector Munro sent a force, consisting of the flank companies of the army, to rescue Colonel Baillie, but the entire detachment was either killed or taken prisoner to Seringapatam. The army, thus reduced, was forced to retire to Madras, with the loss of baggage, being harassed the whole way by the Mysore Cavalry. Sir Hector Munro was relieved of his command for not having supported Colonel Baillie with his whole army instead of with a detachment only. Sir Eyre Coote took over command and formed the army into three divisions, the Battalion being placed in the 2nd (or Left) Division under Colonel Lord MacLeod.

Arrangements having been made for the supply of the army, it marched from The Mount on January 17th, strength 7,450 (including 1,600 Europeans) and 62 guns.

The first object was the relief of various forts besieged by Hyder Ali, among them Permacoil, held by one company of the 16th. This was effected. Lieutenant Bishop was noted for immediate promotion for the gallant manner in which he had carried out the defence, but this was disallowed by the Directors of the Company as contrary to the established custom.

After several skirmishes, Hyder Ali made a general attack on the British while they were in camp near Cuddalore. This was repulsed, the 16th Battalion being cited in orders as having behaved especially well.

The Army continued its march southwards, and found the united armies of Hyder Ali and the French, under Lally, in position near Porto Novo on July 1st. The enemy numbered 60,000 regulars with 47 guns and 120,000 irregulars. Coote attacked the enemy’s left flank, which was broken, and caused the general defeat of the enemy. The 16th was in the second line under General Stuart, which covered the left of the attack and finally repulsed the cavalry under Lally, which made a desperate final attempt to break the British line.

The casualties were:—Killed: European, 19; Native, 64. Wounded: European, 38; Native, 198. Missing: European, 1; Native, 18. Total, 338.

The Battalion’s losses were:—Killed: 1 European drummer and 3 rank and file. Wounded: Ensign John Haynes, 2 subadars, 2 havildars, and 20 rank and file. Missing: 1. Total, 30.

Coote especially praised the steadiness and spirited behaviour of the Sepoy Corps.

The victory could not be followed up owing to lack of cavalry and supplies, but it broke the spell and terror of Hyder’s name.

The army now moved north to effect a junction with the Bengal detachment, which was marching down the coast. This having been accomplished, the whole force returned to St. Thomas’ Mount on August 8th, and was reorganized into five brigades. The 16th was placed in the 2nd Brigade, Colonel Ross Lang, Right Wing, under Sir Hector Munro.

On August 16th the whole army marched, and having taken Tripasore, continued its westerly advance.

The whole strength of the enemy was found in position at Pollilore, on the same ground on which Baillie’s detachment had been destroyed the previous year. The effective British strength was 11,000 and that of Hyder Ali and the French 150,000 (regulars and irregulars), with 80 guns. Coote attacked and penetrated the enemy’s centre with his right wing, while his left outflanked the enemy’s right. A general retreat of the enemy then commenced.

The British casualties were:—Killed: Europeans, 24; Native, 105. Wounded: European, 54; Native, 207. Missing: Native, 63. Total, 453.

Again the lack of cavalry, supplies, and transport prevented the victory being exploited, and the army fell back on Tripasore on August 29th.

The Fort at Vellore, which was besieged by the enemy, being in urgent need of relief, Coote with great difficulty collected sufficient transport and rations to march with this object on September 21st.

Hyder Ali was holding a pass through the Sholinghur Hills on the direct road with his whole army. The British army arrived at the pass on September 27th, and at once attacked. Hyder Ali did not realize that the British were seriously attacking. The 2nd Brigade and the Cavalry were sent to turn the enemy’s left flank while the rest of the army attacked frontally. The attack was entirely successful and the enemy fled in disorder after the defeat of the Mysore Cavalry. The strengths of the opposing armies were: British, 11,500; Mysore, 150,000, and 70 guns. The British casualties were only 20 killed, 58 wounded and 9 missing.

Owing to the continual dissensions between the civil and military authorities, an efficient supply and transport service was impossible. Government also would not sanction the raising of cavalry. So for the third time in this year decisive victory was missed. Coote[5] declared that he would rather have had five days’ rice than the trophies and credit of the victory.

In 1889 the battle honour “Sholinghur” was sanctioned for the Battalion in commemoration of its services in this battle.

Vellore having been relieved on November 3rd, the army returned to Madras, where it arrived on December 3rd.

Tripasore, the main base of the army, was attacked by Hyder, but held out until relieved, the garrison being under the command of Lieutenant Bishop, of the Battalion.

Early in January it again became necessary to relieve Vellore, to effect which the army marched on the 2nd, and, after some fighting, the place was relieved on the 11th. Hyder intercepted the return march, but on two occasions refused battle.

In May the Fort of Permacoil, held by a company of the Battalion under Lieutenant Plaw, was forced to surrender.

Owing to the continued lack of transport the army was practically immobile, and Hyder Ali laid siege to Wandewash and other forts. To draw him off Coote marched towards Arnee, Hyder’s principal depot. This had the desired effect and the British were overtaken on June 2nd, about three miles from Arnee. The rear guard held the enemy until the army was formed up, when the whole line advanced and drove the enemy back. The advance had to be stopped for a time owing to an attack by 11,000 cavalry on the baggage, which was covered by the 2nd Brigade. This being repulsed, the advance continued until the exhaustion of the infantry called a halt. There being no cavalry, the pursuit could not be continued. The army later fell back on Madras.

Owing to ill-health, Sir Eyre Coote handed over command to Brigadier-General Stuart in September, and returned to Bengal.

Reinforcements of British troops having arrived from England, the army was reformed in January, the 16th being placed in the 3rd Brigade, 1st Line. Hyder Ali died in this year and was succeeded by his son, Tippoo.

The army marched south on February 4th and came up with the united forces of Tippoo and the French near Neddingol. The enemy refused battle, and the army marched to the relief of Vellore. This effected, it moved in a leisurely way to Cuddalore, where it arrived on June 7th. Coote, who had returned to command, died on April 27th, to the grief and consternation of the army, especially of the native portion.

Cuddalore was attacked, but, owing to the faulty timing of the three columns, the attacks were not simultaneous and were brought to a standstill. The British lost—Europeans: Killed, 165; wounded, 428. Natives: Killed, 60; wounded, 292; of which the Battalion sustained 6 killed and 36 wounded. The force on either side is supposed to have been 11,000.

The situation was critical, especially as the fleet had been so badly damaged by the French, under Suffren, that it was forced to retire on Madras. Fortunately, at this juncture, news was received that peace had been declared on July 2nd.

General Stuart was relieved of the command, and was succeeded by Colonel Ross Lang.

The Battalion now formed part of a force which was sent south and captured Palghatcherry and Coimbatore. It was then to advance on Seringapatam from the South.

Everything was ready, but the orders were countermanded owing to a truce with Tippoo. The army dispersed, but had no sooner done so than it[7] was ordered to reassemble owing to Tippoo having refused to sign. This had the desired effect, but it was not till March 11th, 1784, that peace was finally declared. In this year the designation of the Battalion was changed to the 16th Madras Battalion.

For services during the campaigns of 1780-84 the battle honour “Carnatic” was granted to the Battalion in 1889.

The Battalion was employed on ordinary garrison duty until 1789, when it joined a force operating against some insurgent zamindars in Southern India. At the end of the year, owing to an expected outbreak of war with Tippoo, it formed part of the army assembling at Wallajabad with the intention of entering Mysore from the south. Coimbatore and other places in this district were occupied, the Battalion being with the 1st Native Brigade, which took the Fort of Suttiamungalum, which it garrisoned. On September 11th Tippoo suddenly descended the Guzzlehutty Pass with 40,000 men. Information of this move had been received, but was disbelieved at headquarters, and the detachment was ordered to hold on. After holding off the attack of Tippoo, it was decided to retire at daybreak on the 14th, but the detachment was overtaken and a battle ensued at Cheyur, in which the Brigade lost 148 Europeans and 408 natives killed and wounded. Six guns and all the baggage were lost, but the enemy was checked. Erode, which was held by a company of the Battalion under a subadar, was forced to surrender on September 25th.

Tippoo, hearing of a concentration at Vellore, marched north unobserved, and was not followed by the army until November 8th. The Battalion with the 1st Europeans, 14th and 20th Battalions, was left to hold the Coimbatore District with headquarters at Palghatcherry.

The enemy sent a force which besieged Coimbatore in June. The siege was raised by a force consisting[9] of the Battalion and some local levies, and a company was left to strengthen the garrison. In October the enemy again attacked Coimbatore and an attempt to relieve the place having failed, it surrendered after a defence of a month.

In December orders were received to clear the district. This was done, and by March, 1792, the force had, with great difficulty, reached the head of the Guzzlehutty Pass, but was ordered to retire as peace had been made.

The battle honour “Mysore” was granted to the Battalion in 1889, for services during the campaigns of 1790-92.

War was declared against France in 1793, and volunteers from the Battalion formed part of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion for the expedition against Mauritius, but this was abandoned.

In 1795 war was declared against Holland, and one company embarked as part of a volunteer battalion which proceed to Malacca.

In 1796 the Madras Army was reorganized, the Battalion becoming the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry.

The Battalion embarked in 1797 for an expedition against Manilla, but was recalled from Penang owing to instructions from England to abandon the expedition.

Tippoo became restless and in 1798 an army was ordered to concentrate at Vellore under General Harris. The Battalion was in the 6th Brigade, Left Wing. The army advanced in February, 1799, and after some minor actions encamped two miles south-west of Seringapatam on April 5th. After much fighting against the enemy’s advanced posts, which were gradually captured, the breaching batteries were established by May 2nd. By May 4th a practicable breach had been made, and the[10] assault was ordered for one o’clock that afternoon. The Battalion was on duty in the trenches on that day, the assaulting troops being formed of the flank companies of the battalions off duty. The troops in the trenches formed the “sustaining” corps. The assault was entirely successful after severe fighting. Tippoo himself was killed. The casualties were:—Europeans: Killed, 181; wounded, 622. Natives: Killed, 119; wounded, 420; missing, 100; of which total the Battalion sustained 11 killed and 33 wounded.

The battle honour of “Seringapatam” was subsequently granted to the Battalion for this campaign.

During the next few years the Battalion was employed in settling the country and subduing refractory chiefs, and so did not take part in the Mahratta War under Sir Arthur Wellesley.

In 1824 its designation was changed to the 16th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry.

Until March, 1824, the Battalion was on ordinary garrison duty in various parts of Mysore and the Nizam’s dominions, when it embarked for service in Burma and joined the force assembling at Chittagong for the conquest of the province of Arracan.

The force marched in February, 1825, and after great hardships arrived in front of the principal Burmese outpost at Mahattee. A detachment of the Battalion was employed on board the flotilla accompanying the force and was present at the repulse at Chanballa. The main force took the advanced Burmese positions on March 26th and 27th and halted upon the enemy’s main position covering the town of Arracan on the 28th. On the 29th the assault was carried out by the light companies of the 54th Foot, 10th and 16th Madras Native Infantry, supported by six companies of the Battalion under Captain French. The assault went forward in spite of the steepness of the ascent, and the well-directed fire of the enemy. The leading men got their hands on the trench, but were unable to maintain their position owing to the incessant shower of large stones. Nevertheless, the attack was maintained until[12] Captain French had been killed and every other officer wounded, when the troops were recalled. The force had lost 28 killed and 114 wounded, of which the Regiment had Captain French and 10 other ranks killed and Lieutenants Luard, White, and Gledstanes and 31 other ranks wounded.

Batteries were constructed, and at 11.30 p.m. on the 30th an assault was carried out, which was entirely successful, and the city was occupied the next day.

A force consisting of the light companies of the 44th and 54th Foot and of the 16th Madras Native Infantry, and four companies of the 1st Bengal Light Infantry Battalion, marched in May, 1825, to endeavour to find a route across to the Irrawaddi River, by which the force at Arracan could join hands with the main army from Rangoon. After terrible hardships they were forced to return, nearly every man being sick. The unhealthiness of the country may be judged by the fact that on October 1st, 1825, the Battalion only had 108 men fit for duty and 644 sick. Between June 16th, 1824, and January 31st, 1826, the Battalion lost by death 7 officers, 5 native officers, and 148 other ranks and 15 followers. Some Battalions did not have a single man available for duty.

The expedition had been successful in the conquest of the province of Arracan, but failed in its principal object, that of penetrating to the valley of the Irrawaddy.

The troops were withdrawn later, the Battalion landing in Madras in January, 1826, and proceeding to Vellore.

In 1830 the 16th was one of the Battalions selected to have a rifle company, on the disbandment of the Madras Rifle Corps.

From 1826 to 1839 the Battalion was employed in[13] the ordinary routine of garrison duty in various parts of the Madras Presidency and Hyderabad State. In the latter year it formed part of the force under Major-General Wilson for the reduction of the fort and petty sovereignty of Kurnool. This having been effected, the Battalion was left to garrison the fortress until 1843, when it was ordered to Belgaum in the Southern Mahratta country, to replace the Bombay troops employed in the conquest of Scinde. While stationed there, the Rifle Company greatly distinguished itself in the Light Field Force under Major-General Delamotte, employed in suppressing the insurgents in the Sawunt Warree country, and took part in the capture of several forts.

Privates Cotapah and Veerapah were awarded the Third Class of the Order of Merit, which had just been instituted, for distinguished conduct at the unsuccessful attack on the stockade in the Pass of Sasseedroog. The former was also presented with a gold medal by the City of Perth for protecting and bringing off the body of Lieutenant Campbell of the Bombay European Light Infantry. Private Hyder Ally Khan was also admitted to the Third Class Indian Order of Merit for distinguished gallantry, while Lieutenant Francis Mardale received the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief and Government of Bombay.

The Battalion was on garrison duty in various parts of the Bombay Presidency and Southern India until 1853, when it proceeded to Aden, returning to India in 1855.

On the outbreak of the Mutiny of the Bengal Army in 1857, the Battalion volunteered for service against the mutineers and was thanked by the Government. The Rifle Company under Lieutenants Bates and Gray formed part of the Madras Rifles, commanded by Major Carr, of the 16th. The Company took part in several actions, notably that at Azimghur on April 6th, 1858, up to the end of the Mutiny. The Company rejoined Battalion headquarters at Hurryhur in April, 1860.

Seven non-commissioned officers and privates were admitted to the Third Class of the Indian Order of Merit for distinguished conduct at Azimghur.

In 1858, while the Regiment was stationed at Mangalore, a detachment of it formed part of a force under Captain Walpole, of the 16th, for the suppression of an insurrection in North Canara. After ten months of very harassing duty, the rebellion was put down and the detachment rejoined the Battalion at Hurryhur in January, 1859.

In 1865, while stationed at Madras, the reorganization of the army took place consequent on the transfer to the Crown of the forces of the East India Company.

Up to 1886 the Battalion was employed on garrison duty in various parts of the Madras Presidency and of the Central Provinces.

In July, 1886, the Battalion, which was then at Vizianagram, was ordered to embark for active service in Burma, and crossed the frontier on August 1st. The 16th formed part of the 3rd Brigade, Upper Burma Field Force, under Brigadier-General Anderson, and was employed in various parts of Upper Burma, chiefly on detachment, and took part in much desultory fighting.

During the campaign the following casualties were incurred: 1 British officer killed and 1 wounded, 5 other ranks killed and 3 wounded. In 1887, 61 non-commissioned officers and men died of disease; total deaths from this cause on service were 102.

In February, 1888, the Battalion went into garrison at Mandalay until March, 1889, when it returned to India and was stationed at Secunderabad.

The Battalion again proceeded to Burma in 1895, being stationed at Rangoon until December, 1898, when it returned to India and was stationed at Berhampore. There it remained until January, 1900, when it embarked for Singapore, in relief of British troops who had been sent to South Africa. Returning to India in November, 1901, the Battalion was stationed at Madras until May 16th, 1903, when it was transferred to Secunderabad to be reconstituted as a Punjab regiment with the designation “76th Punjabis.” Thus, after an honourable existence of more than 130 years, the Battalion ceased to exist as a purely Madras Battalion.

The Colours, mess plate, and band instruments were handed over to the new Battalion, and Lieut.-Colonel J. Jackson, of the old 16th, was appointed Commandant. Drafts of about two hundred non-commissioned officers and men were received from various[16] Punjab Battalions and the new Battalion recruited up to full strength, the majority of the British officers being those of the 16th Madras Infantry.

The uniform remained scarlet, but the facings were changed to emerald green from yellow.

In this year sanction was accorded for General Officers, who had been previously connected with Battalions of the Indian Army, being appointed Honorary Colonels thereof. Accordingly Major-General Henry S. Elton, who had formerly served for thirty-two years in the 16th Madras Infantry, was appointed the first Honorary Colonel.

In March, 1908, the Battalion proceeded to Tientsin, North China, for garrison duty, finding detachments at Chinwangtao and Shanhaikwan. It returned to India in 1911 and was stationed at Jhelum.

Orders were received to mobilize, as for service in Europe, on October 21st, and the Battalion mobilized to full strength plus ten per cent. in seventy-two hours. A draft of 120 men of the 87th Punjabis, under Captain S. M. H. Baillie, was sent to the Battalion in place of its own reservists, who could not be called up in time. A depot was left in Jhelum under Captain E. Milford.

The Battalion embarked at Karachi on October 31st as part of the 30th Indian Infantry Brigade, under Major-General C. J. Melliss, V.C., which comprised the 24th Punjabis, 126th Baluchistan Infantry, and 2/7th Gurkha Rifles. The Brigade disembarked at Suez and took over the defence of the Little Bitter Lake-Suez Section of the Suez Canal, on which the Battalion found various posts with Headquarters at Suez. On the Turks threatening attack the whole Battalion took up position on the canal banks. Beyond one or two very small actions and one reconnaissance by two companies into the desert, no fighting took place in this sector.

On March 13th the 28th Brigade relieved the 30th, which concentrated at Suez for embarkation. The Brigade sailed from Suez on March 22nd, and great disappointment was felt that it was sailing southwards instead of northwards to France, as had been expected.

On April 7th the Battalion arrived at Basra and went into camp at Makina, where the Brigade was concentrating as part of the newly-formed 12th Division.

On April 12th the Brigade attempted to reinforce the garrison of Shaiba by wading through mud and water across the inundated country between Zobeir Gate and Old Basra but, owing to the farther bank being strongly held by the enemy, was ordered to retire when half-way across. Several attempts to cross by bellum were made, but priority had to be given to urgently required ammunition and rations, so the Battalion remained in bivouac at Zobeir Gate. Detachments were provided to protect the bellum convoys and drive off hostile craft.

After Shaiba the Battalion returned to Makina Camp and a few days later embarked for Ahwaz, and joined the concentration of the 12th Division, under Major-General Gorringe, at Sabeh on April 28th.

After very hot and waterless marches, the Division arrived at Illah on the Karkheh river on May 7th. The Turks were found to have retired, but it was necessary to punish the Beni Turuf tribe of Arabs. The river was found to be about 300 yards broad and the bridging material insufficient, so a flying bridge and canvas boats were improvised and, thanks greatly to the exertions of many swimmers of the 66th and 76th, all men, stores and animals were eventually landed on the far bank.

On May 13th a column, of which the Battalion formed part, marched by night to the cover of some hills facing the Karkheh river, on the far bank of which was the principal Beni Turuf village of Khafajiyeh. The morning of the 14th was spent waiting for the advance of the 12th Brigade up the left bank, which did not arrive owing to the bad ground it had to move over. At 2 p.m. the 76th and 2/7th Gurkha Rifles advanced[19] towards the river bank, coming under fire from the village and its fort. The river was found to be 280 yards broad and very swift and, as there was no means of crossing it, a retirement was ordered at 6 p.m., which was closely followed up by the Arabs. Bivouac was formed about half a mile from the river. The Battalion had had 11 men wounded during the afternoon.

On the 15th the 2/7th Gurkha Rifles and the 76th again advanced to the river and, on volunteers being called for to swim the river, a party did so, led by Subadar-Major Ajab Khan, under heavy fire from the fort and opposite bank, supported by the covering fire of the Battalion.

This party succeeded in emptying the only serviceable boat to be found on the other bank, under the close fire of the fort, and swam it across. Major Perrin’s double-company then proceeded to ferry across in this boat, and the first party, under Subadar-Major Ajab Khan and Jemadar Mehdi Khan, stormed the gate of the fort and forced their way in, driving the enemy into the buildings or out of the fort, where they were shot by another party that had arrived, under the command of Subadar Indar Singh, and had meanwhile surrounded the fort. Eventually all the enemy were smoked out of the buildings and killed or captured. Two double-companies bivouacked in the fort and the rest of the 76th and the 2/7th Gurkha Rifles bivouacked on the right bank. For their gallantry on this occasion, six Indian Orders of Merit and twenty Indian Distinguished Service Medals were awarded to the Indian officers and men who took part.

The next morning the village was burnt, and two days later the Battalion started on the return march to Illah and Ahwaz, whence it proceeded by steamer to Basra.

On the 28th May, the Machine Gun Section and fifty rifles embarked on a river steamer, under Captain Laing, and took part in the second action of Kurna, returning to Basra after the capture of Amarah, in charge of prisoners.

The Battalion proceeded to Kurna by steamer on June 10th to take part in the 12th Division’s advance up the Euphrates for the capture of Nasariyeh. During the stay in Kurna the heat was intense. The whole brigade was trained daily in boat drill and formations in case this form of warfare should be necessary.

Owing to the insanitary conditions in the Basra bivouac and the heat and mosquitoes in the marshy ground at Kurna, 270 men went down with fever before the Regiment left.

On the 26th the expedition started up the Euphrates in steamers, and crossed the Hammar Lake, where it was held up by the obstruction of the entrance to the Hakika channel. This was eventually blown up by the Sappers and Miners, assisted by swimmers from the Battalion, and the steamers were hauled across by working parties amounting to as many as 600 at a time.

Reconnaissances were made up the Gurma Safah Channel, and the Turkish positions located holding the junction of the Gurma Safah and Euphrates. The country was under water except for a narrow strip on either bank.

On July 4th a short advance was made by the Battalion to a point known as Ati’s House, whence a further reconnaissance was made and outposts pushed forward under the fire of snipers.

The attack was ordered for the 5th, as follows:—The 76th to advance up the left bank, supported by the 24th Punjabis and 30th Mountain Battery in boats in the marsh on its right; 2/7th Gurkha Rifles and 1/4th Hampshire Regiment to advance up the right bank.

The advance began at 4 a.m. through thick palm groves and undergrowth, and at once met with opposition which was driven back, until the 2/7th on the other bank were held up by a broad creek, which could not be crossed. The 76th continued their advance now enfiladed by the enemy on the other bank as well as being strongly opposed to their front, until they were held up by the enemy in position behind a strong wall extending from the river to the marsh. Here Lieut.-Colonel Smithett was severely wounded, and Captain Baillie and Lieutenant Graves were also wounded. In addition to other casualties, the whole Machine Gun Section was killed or wounded and the guns damaged.

The 24th now moved up and outflanked the enemy through the marsh, causing him to retire, pursued by half the 76th and the remainder of the 24th, until he reached his final position across the Euphrates, where he surrendered. The remaining four companies of the Battalion were employed in keeping down the fire from the right bank during the pursuit. The casualties of the 76th amounted to 2 Indian officers (Jemadars Nur Khan and Maluka), and 14 men killed, 3 British and 2 Indian officers and 37 men wounded, being about twenty per cent. of the strength engaged, about 150 men having been left in charge of the Battalion’s boats, which did not come into action.

On the 6th the force proceeded up river and formed camp at Asani, about three miles below the Turkish main position covering Nasariyeh. From here reconnaissances were made and outposts pushed forward, and continual sniping took place on both sides. The heat was intense, and all ranks were exposed day and night to the elements and every sort of mosquito and biting insect, there being no tents or cover of any kind by day or night.

On the night of July 13th-14th an attack was ordered[22] to establish a forward position on the right bank. Accordingly Major Rybot’s double company, supported by a company of the 48th Pioneers, attacked and rushed Shakair, killing most of the garrison and occupying the village. At the same time the remainder of the Battalion occupied a grove called “Sixteen Palms” without opposition, except for snipers, on the right bank, and the 48th Pioneers entrenched the position. Our losses at Shakair were 2nd-Lieutenant Hathorn, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, and 1 sepoy killed, 7 men wounded.

Throughout the 14th the enemy retaliated with gun and rifle fire, but the forward positions were maintained. Subadar Neki Ram was wounded at Shakair during the morning. Till the 23rd preparations were continued for the assault, enemy sniping being continuous.

The orders for the attack on July 24th were as follows:—The 12th Brigade to assault the enemy position on the left bank after an intense bombardment, supported by part of the 18th Brigade. On the position being taken they were to swing round and enfilade the enemy’s position on the right bank behind the Medijinah Creek, which would then be assaulted by the 30th Brigade, supported by one battalion of the 18th Brigade, and covered by the artillery. The 30th Brigade was to assault as follows:—1/4th Hampshire Regiment (only 150 strong) and 2/7th Gurkhas would advance from the “Sixteen Palms”—Shakair line, covered by the fire of the 24th Punjabis and massed machine guns. The 76th, in support, to advance simultaneously a thousand yards in rear of the Hampshire Regiment and 2/7th Gurkhas.

At 5.30 a.m., on the 24th, the artillery bombardment began on the left bank and continued for three-quarters of an hour, when the 12th Brigade assaulted, and, after severe hand-to-hand fighting, carried the position. At[23] 7 a.m. the 30th Brigade began their advance under shell- and heavy rifle-fire from the enemy trenches. The ground being absolutely devoid of cover, casualties were heavy. A barge had meanwhile been jammed across the mouth of the Medijinah Creek. This barge carried parties of Sappers and Miners and Pioneers with bridging material and reserve ammunition. Work was started on two foot bridges over the creek within 200 yards of the enemy trenches. The artillery bombardment continued until the Hampshire Regiment and Gurkhas and 76th had worked their way up to the bank of the creek. The water was found to be only waist deep, the flow having been stopped by the barge. At about 10 a.m. a charge was initiated and the enemy’s position entered. After some hand-to-hand fighting, the whole of the position was in our hands, the enemy streaming across the plain, pursued by our fire. The supporting battalion of the 18th Brigade now passed through and took up the pursuit, while the 30th Brigade reformed and followed closely after it. The enemy did not stand in his second position, and was driven out of a third position on the bank of the river in the evening. The 30th Brigade bivouacked on his third position.

The Turks left in our hands 17 guns, numerous rifles, quantities of ammunition and stores. The enemy losses were 700 killed, 740 wounded, and 200 wounded prisoners. The Battalion lost Lieutenants Darell and McElwaine, and Subadar-Major Ajab Khan wounded, 6 rank and file killed, and 55 wounded out of about 300 engaged, the 30th Brigade losing 200 out of a strength of 900. The total British casualties were 564.

Nasariyeh was occupied on the 25th without further opposition. During these operations from June 26th to July 25th the Battalion had lost:—British officers: 1 killed, 5 wounded. Indian officers: 2 killed, 4 wounded. Rank and file: 21 killed and 123 wounded. Sick: approximately 70. The following decorations[24] were subsequently awarded:—Distinguished Service Order, 1; Military Cross, 1; Indian Order of Merit, 7; Indian Distinguished Service Medal, 19.

The month of August was spent in bivouac at Nasariyeh resting, only a few outposts being found by the Battalion.

At the end of the month, the 30th Brigade, less the 1/4th Hampshire Regiment, was moved by water to Amarah to join the 6th Division in their advance up the Tigris.

Reinforcements were received at Amarah, and Lieut.-Colonel Smithett rejoined and took command.

The 2/7th Gurkha Rifles and 76th then proceeded, partly by steamer and partly by march, to join the concentration of the 6th Division at Sannaiyat. The camp was shelled by the enemy on September 25th, and our force advanced and occupied Chahela Mounds on the 26th with little opposition. The 2/7th and 76th were detailed to guard the left flank and shipping during the coming battle, and entrenched themselves in redoubts on the right bank. On the 28th the First Battle of Kut took place. The Turks were beaten back and the 6th Division occupied Kut-al-Amarah.

The Battalion was left to guard the hospitals and a few days later marched to Kut.

During the month spent in Kut, drafts were received from the Depot, and a company of Jats from the 99th Infantry, under Major Cotton, with 2nd-Lieutenants Spowart and Rogers, Indian Army Reserve Officers, brought the Battalion up to full strength again.

On November 8th the Battalion marched with a column and joined the 6th Division at El Kutunie on the 15th.

The advance on Baghdad commenced on the 19th, by a move against the Turkish positions at Zeur, but, after an exhausting day, the enemy was found to have retired. The main body continued its march to Lajj the next day, but the 2/7th and 76th were detailed to escort the shipping round the thickly-wooded Baghailah bend, and did not arrive at Lajj till the 21st. The same evening the whole force moved out to attack the enemy in his position at Ctesiphon. The plan for the attack was as follows:—(a) One brigade, supported by the heavy artillery and ships, to attack, with its left on the river, the enemy position from “High Wall” to “Water Redoubt.” (b) One and a half brigades to attack “V.P. Redoubt” (the left of the enemy’s first line) from the east. (c) One brigade to attack “V.P.” from the north-east, these being supported by the Royal Field Artillery Brigade and the Howitzer Battery. (d) A flying column, consisting of the Cavalry Brigade, two armoured cars, Machine Gun Battery and the 76th Punjabis, to attack the left rear of the enemy, and on his retreating to pursue him to Baghdad.

The Turkish first line was about six miles in length, consisting of redoubts heavily wired and connected by fire trenches. His second line, two to three miles in rear, was not so thoroughly entrenched. The enemy numbered 18,000 and 40 guns, the British 13,000 and 32 land guns.

The night advance commenced at 7 p.m. on the 21st, Column “A” moving direct on its objective. “B,” “C,” and the Flying Columns followed the old Nahrwan Canal, each column halting on arrival at its allotted position.

The Flying Column reached its position at 3 a.m. During the march the Battalion formed the advance guard. Army transport carts, sufficient for half the men to ride in, were provided, mainly in order to facilitate a swift pursuit on the enemy retreating.

At daybreak, the guns with Column “A” could be heard away to the south-west. A few enemy camel patrols were rounded up by our cavalry and armoured cars. Columns “B” and “C” soon after advanced, and took “V.P.” after fierce fighting. At 8.15 the Flying Column advanced, cavalry on the right, 76th on the left, supported by the Machine Gun Battery and “S” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery.

“After advancing about 1,200 yards, the 76th came under heavy fire from enemy infantry in their front, and a hot fight ensued. The 76th, behaving with great gallantry, gained some ground, but the hostile force opposing them—evidently part of the 51st Division—was too strong, and about 10 a.m. the further advance of the 76th was definitely checked and they dug themselves in. They had suffered heavy casualties, including the loss of their two senior British officers.”

The cavalry now withdrew to ward off an Arab attack on the transport and rear of Columns “B” and “C.” The Battalion had by this time lost severely and any attempt to advance was at once stopped by enemy rifle and machine-gun fire. Meantime, many gallant actions were performed by various men, in bringing up ammunition and distributing it and bringing the wounded into the shelter of the shallow entrenchment that had been made. During this time severe fighting was taking place in the enemy second line. At about[27] 4 p.m. the enemy counter-attacked with two fresh divisions, whose presence was, up to that time, unknown, and Columns “B” and “C” were finally ejected from the enemy’s second position.

The right of the Battalion was now attacked by about two battalions and the flank thrown back to meet the attack; the enemy advanced to within four or five hundred yards, where he was stopped. As darkness fell piquets were pushed forward and to the right flank, and the Battalion commenced to concentrate and dig itself in. The enemy showed no signs of movement. At 7 p.m. orders were received to rejoin the Brigade at “V.P.,” and this was done, very slowly and with great difficulty owing to the very large number of wounded, who had to be carried. On arrival at “V.P.” the Battalion bivouacked on the enemy’s first line trenches, and the night passed quietly. The following extract from the official history serves to show that the efforts made by all ranks on this memorable day were not without considerable effect:—“According to the Turkish account, the five infantry battalions of the 51st Division here had now all been absorbed into the firing line, which covered a front of about four miles. That they could make no further progress seems to have been due mainly to the stout fighting qualities of the 76th and the fine work of “S” Battery.”

The next day the Battalion was employed collecting wounded, ammunition and equipment between the enemy’s first and second lines, and in keeping off marauding Arabs. By 3 p.m. it was evident that the enemy was advancing from the direction of Ctesiphon Arch. The Battalion was on its way back to High Wall for a much-needed rest, when it was urgently recalled to reinforce the troops holding “V.P.” It came under artillery and rifle fire on the way, and eventually took up a position in a converted Turkish communication trench, which it held all night. The Turks appeared to have lost[28] their direction, as large bodies were moving about in the vicinity all night, but no serious attack took place, any visible movement by them being at once stopped by our fire. A patrol, under Havildar Neki, carried out a daring reconnaissance during the night and brought in valuable information.

Bitter cold was experienced all night, officers and men being dressed in shirts and shorts only. “V.P.” was held all the 24th under fire from guns and snipers, while the wounded were evacuated to the rear. About 4 p.m. the 24th Punjabis and 2/7th Gurkhas sent up all their water mules to the Battalion, which was highly appreciated as the men had had no food or water, except what they carried, since the night of the 21st. The final retirement to High Wall was covered by the 76th and the 76th Battery, and was completed by 6.30 p.m.

The losses of the Battalion during the three days were very heavy, viz.:—Killed: Major C. L. Perrin, 2nd-Lieutenant Gosney, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, Subadar Abdullah Khan, Jemadars Saida Khan and Umrao Singh (99th), and 42 rank and file. Wounded: Lieut.-Colonel A. C. H. Smithett, 2nd-Lieutenant Spowart, Indian Army Reserve of Officers (99th), Subadars Sohan, Mehdi Khan, and Chuni Ram (99th), Jemadars Sher Singh and Jalal Khan, and 225 rank and file. Missing, 5; died of wounds, 3; wounded and missing, 2.

Lieut.-Colonel Smithett, the Commandant, died of his wounds on the 25th, to the great regret of all ranks.

During the 25th the wounded were evacuated to Lajj, one double-company piqueting the road. In the afternoon dense columns of the enemy were seen to be advancing, and the force retired under cover of darkness to Lajj, where it halted till the 27th. On the 27th at 4 p.m. the arduous retirement commenced, Aziziyeh (22 miles) being reached at 8.30 a.m., 28th, the left[29] half battalion there covering the bridgehead. On the 30th the 30th Brigade with the 16th Cavalry and Howitzer Battery was ordered to move rapidly on Kut, where the shipping was being held up by the enemy, and marched at 8 a.m. At 4 p.m. after covering twenty miles, camp was formed for the night.

At 6.30 a.m. the Brigade was ordered to march as fast as possible back to the Division’s camp at Umm-al-Tubul, which was being attacked, in order to render it assistance. On arrival the Battalion came under shrapnel fire, and, on the division retiring, it took over the duties of rear guard and marched till 5 p.m., halted for half an hour, and then continued the retirement to Monkey Village, which was reached at 12.30 a.m. on the 2nd, having covered thirty miles. The march was resumed at 5 a.m., only interfered with by Arab snipers, and bivouac within three miles of Kut was reached at 8 p.m., all ranks being exhausted, having marched seventy miles since 8 a.m. 30th, and been on the move for forty-eight hours without food. The cold was bitter and no food or blankets could be obtained till nearly midnight.

During the retirement one man was killed, one wounded, and one missing. The strength of the Battalion on arrival in Kut, under the command of Major Cotton (99th Infantry, attached), was—Officers: British, 8; Indian, 13; rank and file, 320.

Of this retirement, the Official History relates:—“For over twelve days General Townshend’s force—largely composed of young soldiers—had been fighting, marching or working continuously, frequently without sufficient food or water and often deprived of sleep. This forty-four miles’ march (General Melliss’ Column did fifty-one miles) coming, under pressure from the enemy, at the end of this period and carried out in thirty-six hours, was therefore, a severe test of[30] discipline. Their soldierly execution of it must arouse our admiration and add greatly to the reputation they had already won.”

The following decorations were subsequently awarded for these operations:—Distinguished Service Order, 1; Indian Order of Merit, 1; Indian Distinguished Service Medal, 2.

Many very deserving rewards could not be granted owing to the loss of the recommendations during the siege.

On the 3rd the force moved into Kut-al-Amarah. Some sick and lightly wounded men rejoined, bringing the strength up to about 333. The 30th Brigade was detailed as reserve brigade and was allotted camping space in gardens on the edge of the town.

Work was at once commenced on the defences and pushed on with the greatest vigour possible. The Battalion was employed night and day digging the second line and communication trenches to the front line.

On December 5th the enemy began to close round Kut and opened with artillery fire and a few snipers. The Cavalry Brigade and greater portion of land transport crossed the river on their way to Ali Gharbi on the 6th, on which day the last steamer also left, and Kut was isolated. Work was continued on the defences to the limit of the men’s endurance. The enemy strength increased daily and he gradually closed in on the front line. Intense artillery bombardment was kept up for about two hours morning and evening when the mirage disappeared and enabled observation of fire to be made. On the 9th the enemy attacked the bridgehead on the right bank and captured it. Under cover of fire from the left bank it was temporarily reoccupied, but again captured by the Turks. After dark the bridge was cut adrift, the right bank having been occupied in force by the enemy.

The Turkish artillery fire had become so severe by the 10th that orders were issued to discontinue working in the open in daylight.

The usual routine for the reserve brigade was to move out at dusk, work till 1 a.m., when the units went into close reserve and support to the front line till dawn. They then returned to bivouac dug-outs on the outskirts of the town. After food, work was again commenced on communications, improving roads, second line trenches, etc. Return to bivouac for the evening meal preparatory to moving out again at dusk. Piquets along the river bank, to prevent entry or egress of enemy agents, were also found in turn by night and day by the reserve brigade.

On the afternoon of the 12th the Turks made a determined attack on the north-west sector and succeeded in establishing themselves within a hundred yards of the front-line trenches, although they failed to enter them. The same night the 76th moved up in relief to the front line. This relief of the 16th Brigade by the 30th Brigade, and vice versa, took place weekly after this date.

The front line taken over was only of an average of two and a half feet deep, with no sanitary arrangements, many dead being just thrown on the parapet or parados, and no direct communication trenches. The enemy was extremely active, pushing up his saps and opening new parallels. At night he was particularly active, making many attempts on the wire. These were all driven off by rifle and machine-gun fire and by bombs, while his working parties were harassed by fire whenever possible. Our men were kept employed to the utmost limit of their strength improving the trenches, etc. During this first tour of duty in the front line the Battalion lost severely, 2nd-Lieutenant Muirhead being mortally wounded, Jemadar Ram Sarup killed, Subadar Sundar Singh wounded, and about fifty men killed and wounded.

Throughout the siege casualties were of daily occurrence, there being no place within the defences which was not under rifle fire. The majority of the[33] enemy artillery fire was directed at our artillery positions near the brick kilns, and on the town itself. The front line received very little artillery fire, and it was generally less strenuous in the front line than in reserve, the latter entailing constant working parties day and night, as well as having to be in close support on completion of the night’s work. The men only had the clothes in which they stood up and two blankets, and consequently soon became lousy, as there was practically no opportunity of washing, all water having to be drawn from the river, which was some distance away and subject to heavy sniping. On December 24th the enemy made a determined attack on the fort, which he entered, and was only ejected after severe hand-to-hand fighting at 3 a.m. on the 25th. That evening the 76th, which was due for relief, received orders to move into the fort during the night, where it took over the north and west faces and repaired and improved the defences. It was again relieved on the 28th and had twenty-fours’ much-needed rest.

Rain commenced falling on January 6th and added much to the difficulty of keeping the trenches and communications in good order, and to the discomfort of the men. News of the relieving force was now received daily and gave all ranks a feeling of optimism as to the early raising of the siege. On January 21st the river overflowed into the enemy trenches, which in turn overflowed into ours, and no amount of work could stop it. A retirement was therefore ordered to the Middle Line, which had been prepared for occupation in such an eventuality, but was already two or three feet deep in mud and water. Ammunition, stores and kits were moved with great difficulty owing to the depth of mud and water in the front line and communication trenches, which was almost up to the men’s necks. One havildar was drowned trying to rescue ammunition. The cold was also extreme and the men, having no means of drying their clothes,[34] suffered heavily from exposure, 3 British officers and 50 men having to report sick. The enemy to our front had been forced by the water to retire 1,500 yards and valuable firewood was retrieved from his trenches by parties from the Battalion, after inflicting many casualties on him as he retired across the open.

On February 16th a bund twenty feet thick was commenced all along the trenches in order to keep out the floods that were expected in March, and work on this continued nightly until it was finished.

Enemy aeroplanes also put in frequent appearances, but in only one case did their bombs cause any damage. Several schemes for sorties were prepared and the Battalion actually paraded for some, but they did not eventually take place. Great difficulty was met with in getting the men to eat horsemeat and they did not do so until very near the end of the siege; they did, however, find many kinds of edible weeds and grass to cook and supplement the scanty ration. The casualties in Kut up to the end of February totalled 3,000.

On March 8th and 9th the Battalion, with others, was held in readiness to cross the river, and co-operate with the relief force, and great was the disappointment when its failure was made known. On the 10th rations were reduced to 10 ounces of barley and 4 ounces for parching, and all surplus animals were killed. On the 15th the enemy was again flooded out of his trenches. For some time past the whole British garrison had been employed daily in making bricks and collecting materials, and nightly in completing the flood bund. The flood arrived on the 16th and continued rising until on the 27th Kut was an island. On the 28th rations were reduced to 8 ounces, and the same day a[35] new problem appeared in the percolation of water through the ground into the trenches from the flood outside. This gave serious anxiety and much hard work to counteract, nearly to the end of the siege. The men now began to become very weak and emaciated, but retained their spirits, in which all were much helped by the constant and distinctly heard bombardments of the enemy trenches by the relieving force, whose flashes and bursts could be easily seen at night.

Casualties of the 76th from the commencement of the siege to the end of March:—Officers: British—Died of wounds, 1; wounded, 2. Indian—Killed, 1; wounded, 4. Rank and File—Killed, 32; died of wounds, 17; wounded, 90; missing, 2; died of disease, 16. Followers—Killed, 2; died of wounds, 1; wounded, 3; total, 171.

On April 9th rations were reduced to 7 ounces, on the 10th to 5 ounces, and on the 11th to 4 ounces, when the men at last overcame their prejudices and commenced eating horsemeat. Our aeroplanes were now dropping supplies daily, but were unable to carry sufficient to feed the garrison. On the 24th the gallant attempt of the Julnur was made to run up river with supplies, and great was the disappointment to see her ashore at Magasis the next morning. Surrender now appeared inevitable, the reserve ration had been eaten and men were actually dying of starvation. Sentries could no longer stand at their posts, but sat down, and for about three weeks the Battalions in the trenches had not been relieved as the men were too weak to move their equipment, bedding and stores. It was indeed a pitiful sight to see the men weak and emaciated, but one was proud that the men of the Battalion kept up their morale and did their utmost to carry out any order given.

Owing to weakness everyone lay flat on his back[36] whenever possible in order to conserve his strength, and the line-sick were practically unable to move.

On April 28th and 29th the last emergency ration was consumed, and on the 29th the garrison surrendered after a defence of 150 days. Thus ended the siege of Kut, which had lasted for five months, a period of hardship and discomfort seldom equalled in the history of the British Army. The spirit, power of endurance and courage of the men of the Battalion in the face of never-ending digging and repairing of trenches, long hours of night duty, exposure to wet and bitter cold and starvation, is a wonderful proof of their soldierly qualities and a fine example to those who will follow them in the Battalion. The fact that the siege had ended in capitulation was no fault of theirs and, by holding on to Kut, they had prevented the Turkish Army from overrunning Lower Mesopotamia. The Battalion proceeded by steamer to the Turkish Camp at Shumran, where it bivouacked on the bank of the river. The men were in the last stage of exhaustion and more than fifty per cent. were suffering from an acute form of diarrhœa. Very little food was obtained in this camp, and almost entirely consisted of hard Turkish emergency biscuits. Many men of the garrison died of starvation or enteritis. Twenty-three men of the Battalion were passed as unfit to march by the Turkish doctors. The rest marched off for Baghdad on the 6th with the remainder of the Indian garrison; the story of their hardships and suffering has been related elsewhere. The following went into captivity and remained prisoners, with the exception of a few who escaped, for two and a half years:—

Although the Battalion had only been actively engaged since April 12th, 1915, and had had several short periods of rest, the casualties from enemy action and sickness (mostly fever), during the seven months to November 5th, 1915, had necessitated the provision and absorption of drafts totalling 1,600 men or nearly twice the original strength of the Battalion.

For services during the siege two Distinguished Service Orders and nine Indian Distinguished Service Medals were subsequently awarded to officers and men of the Regiment.

During the siege large drafts for the Battalion had collected with the relieving force, including Lieut.-Colonel Rodney-Anderson, who had been appointed Commandant, Lieutenants R. D. E. Darell, E. J. D. McElwaine, A. H. Dobbs, T. M. Graves, 2nd-Lieutenants Lechler and Mahoney, Indian Army Reserve of Officers. The first-named died in hospital, and Lieutenants Dobbs and Graves were killed in action with the relieving force. The men were all attached to the 82nd Punjabis (now 5th Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment) and the 92nd Punjabis throughout the operations of the relieving force.

On January 1st, 1917, the Depot of the Battalion received orders to expand to a battalion and reform the 76th, the drafts in Mesopotamia being returned to assist in the making up of numbers. Lieut.-Colonel W. L. Malcolm, from the 31st Punjabis, was appointed to command in March, and the Regiment moved to Chaman for garrison duty there. In November a nucleus was sent to join the new 2nd Battalion of the Regiment which was being raised at Nasirabad. This Battalion eventually did good service on the frontier in 1919-20 in the Waziristan and Mahsud Campaigns, being mentioned in despatches. Several officers of the 76th served in it and it was demobilized in September, 1922, some of the officers and men rejoining the 1st Battalion.

Lieut.-Colonel L. A. Watson, from the 74th Punjabis, took over command on February 1st, 1918, and in the same month the Battalion moved to Dera Ismail[39] Khan and thence to Tank, leaving a depot at the former place. In June Major J. F. Woodham returned from service and took command.

The Regiment remained at Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, from time to time holding the outposts.

While at Tank two-thirds of the Regiment were at one time in hospital with Spanish influenza, of which sixty-four died. In December, 1918, and January, 1919, the released Kut prisoners of war rejoined and were at once sent off to their homes on furlough. The numbers that rejoined were 8 Indian officers, 183 non-commissioned officers and men, and 17 followers.

and the undermentioned decorations were granted to officers and men of the 76th:—

On war being declared on Afghanistan the Battalion[40] was in Dera Ismail Khan with a company at Jandola, three platoons in other outposts, and one at Tank. A large draft was received from the 87th Punjabis. Various detachments were sent out to reinforce threatened points from time to time.

During May, as many of the Waziristan Militia deserted and the tribesmen had risen, it became imperative to evacuate many of the posts held by the Militia, and the result was that the company under Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Proctor in Jandola became isolated and surrounded by large numbers of hostile tribesmen.

Owing to the forethought and energy of the commander, the reserve water tanks in the fort had been filled, providing water for twelve days, and there were twenty-six days’ rations available. The water supply was cut off by the tribesmen on May 28th, on which day the siege of Jandola commenced.

On the 29th the enemy opened fire on the main fort and pushed in an attack on a detached tower held by a party under Havildar Bari Sher, by whom he was driven off. That night the fort was attacked, as also was the detached tower, no less than three times, but all attacks were repulsed. Communication was interrupted the next day except by means of friendly Bhittanis. Heavy attacks were again made during the night May 31st/June 1st. The men now suffered greatly from thirst, as water was strictly rationed to two water-bottles a day, and the heat was very great. Many attempts were made to obtain water, but the enemy had all sources of supply accurately covered by fire. Bhisti Gurditt Singh, with great gallantry and although wounded, several times succeeded in bringing in water under fire, for which he was later awarded the Indian Order of Merit.

Continual sniping took place day and night, and several further attacks took place, but were in each case driven off with loss. On June 9th the Movable[41] Column arrived and raised the siege, and the garrison were relieved and rejoined the Battalion. The casualties were:—Indian other ranks, 1 died of wounds and 1 wounded, and 1 follower wounded.

Captain Anderson was awarded the Military Cross for the able manner in which he had defended the post. Two Indian Orders of Merit and two Indian Distinguished Service Medals were awarded to men of the Regiment, and seven officers and men were mentioned in despatches for services in the Afghan Campaign.

The complete Battalion concentrated in Tank in July, and remained there till the end of August, finding escorts for convoys, and dealing with raiders. In September it moved to Khirgi, where a month was spent working on defences and roads, attempting to round up Mahsud raiders, and day piqueting. Several men died of cholera.

By October 3rd the Battalion had concentrated at Darya Khan. The men left for their homes on furlough preparatory to proceeding to Palestine, and headquarters was despatched by rail to Dhond.

For its services on the frontier the Battalion was granted the battle honour “Afghanistan, 1919,” and General Service Medal, India, 1908, with clasps, “Afghanistan, North-West Frontier, 1919,” and “Waziristan, 1919-21.”

The Battalion sailed for Egypt at the end of February under the command of Major S. van B. Laing, D.S.O., M.C., and arrived at Sarafend in Palestine on March 24th, 1920, where it joined the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Lahore Division.

The Depot was left at Dhond, but subsequently moved to Kirkee, Bellary, and Jhelum before rejoining the Battalion at Lucknow in 1922.

On April 28th, 1920, the Battalion proceeded to Haifa, whence, owing to constant raiding by Arabs from across the Jordan, it despatched detachments to various places for their protection. A company was also sent to Cairo to be trained as a Mounted Camel Company.

On July 27th the Battalion proceeded to Jerusalem, whence about half the strength proceeded on detachment to various towns. The Battalion arrived at Beni Suef in Egypt in December, and took part in manœuvres near Cairo in March. In April the Camel Company, which had been employed on patrol work between Beersheba and the Dead Sea, rejoined, and in May the whole Battalion arrived in Alexandria and provided detachments in and around that city. The salutary sea air quickly dispelled the many cases of malaria which were a legacy from the Jordan Valley.

In December, 1921, the Commandant, Lieut.-Colonel E. Milford, D.S.O., rejoined from leave, and the[43] Battalion proceeded to Kantara to await orders to embark for India. Owing, however, to serious disturbances in Cairo, the Battalion was hurriedly despatched thither on Christmas Eve, and remained there till March 23rd. It then moved to Suez and embarked for India, arriving at Lucknow on April 7th, where it was joined by the Depot.

In accordance with the Reorganization Scheme, the Jat Company was now replaced by Rajputs from Rajputana, and on December 1st the Battalion became the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Punjab Regiment, the other battalions being:—

The badges of the Elephant subscribed “Assaye,” and the Golden Dragon wearing an Imperial Crown, worn by certain of the battalions, were taken into use by all battalions of the new Regiment. The uniform remained scarlet, but the facings were changed to grass-green.

The following officers were posted permanently to the Battalion on reorganization:—

During the hot weather the Battalion was honoured by being selected to provide the Simla detachment to find the guards on the Residences of His Excellency the Viceroy, and His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, under the command of Major S. van B. Laing, D.S.O., M.C.

On November 21st the Battalion left Lucknow and proceeded to Waziristan, arriving at Razani on November 30th. Here it remained for six months, being employed in finding permanent piquets and road protection parties. It then proceeded to join the 7th Brigade at Razmak, and on arrival marched with the Movable Column to Sarwekai and back. This demonstration march occupied fourteen days and a certain amount of sniping was experienced, Subadar Surat Singh and ten other ranks being wounded.

In August the Battalion proceeded to Tauda China for a month, where it provided protection and also working parties in connection with the completion of the circular road. Two men were wounded during this period.

In November the Battalion moved with a column to Piaza Raghza, where it remained for six months performing protective duties in connection with the improvement of the road and convoys, and providing about one company in permanent picquets.

During the Battalion’s tour of duty in Waziristan, 2 men were killed, 1 Indian officer and 13 men wounded, by enemy action.

In December, 1925, the Battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel A. F. Harper, moved to Nowshera in the North-West Frontier Province, where it formed part of the 4th Brigade.

Thus, in the 150th year of its existence, the Battalion is serving in Nowshera. Its services in Waziristan have been rewarded by the grant of the General Service Medal, India, with a clasp for “Waziristan, 1921-24,” and it has also been honoured by again being selected to find the detachment at Simla during the hot months.

1. Prior to the Great War.

RANK AND NAME.	REMARKS.
Subadar-Major Sheik Ibram	Pensioned March 17th, 1826, for zealous, active and meritorious service with the 5th Brigade of the Madras Troops on Foreign Service in Arracan, on full pay and staff allowance of Subadar-Major. Presented with a Sword and Palankeen and usual allowance (Rupees 70) for its support. After decease a pension of half the pay of a Subadar-Major to be granted to his nearest heir for the support of his family.

The Indian Order of Merit, 3rd Class.

2. During the Great War.

Commander of the British Empire.

Distinguished Service Order.

Order of the British Empire.

Military Cross.

Order of British India, 1st Class.

Order of British India, 2nd Class.

Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class.

The Indian Distinguished Service Medal.

Bar to the Indian Distinguished Service Medal.

Foreign Orders.

RANK AND NAME.	NAME OF ORDER.
Subadar Bahadur Shah	French Croix de Guerre.
Subadar Ghulam Mohammed	French Croix de Guerre.
Honorary Captain Ajab Khan	Hedjaz Order.
943 Havildar Nand Singh	Serbian Order of Karageorgewich.

Granted Honorary King’s Commissions.

RANK AND NAME.	RANK GRANTED.
Subadar-Major Ajab Khan	Captain.
Subadar-Major Hussain Shah	Lieutenant.
Subadar-Major Ahmad Khan	Lieutenant.
Subadar-Major Indar Singh	Lieutenant.

The Meritorious Service Medal.

Khafajiyah, 1915.

Euphrates, 1915.

Ctesiphon, 1915.

Siege of Kut-al-Amarah.

Smyrna, 1918.

1919.

Siege of Jandola.

RANK AND NAME.	DECORATIONS AND MENTIONS.
Captain R. C. Anderson	Military Cross.
991 Havildar Bari Sher	Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class.
Bhisti Gurdit Singh	Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class.

Operations against Afghanistan.

RANK AND NAME.	DECORATIONS AND MENTIONS.
74 Havildar Karam Khan	Indian Distinguished Service Medal.
2550 L./Naik Kartar Singh	Indian Distinguished Service Medal.
Lieutenant P. Proctor	Mentioned in Despatches.
Captain A. Culley	Mentioned in Despatches.
991 Havildar Bari Sher	Mentioned in Despatches.
Jemadar Mohommed Rasul	Mentioned in Despatches.
74 Havildar Karam Khan	Mentioned in Despatches.
2550 L./Naik Kartar Singh	Mentioned in Despatches.
Bhisti Gurdit Singh	Mentioned in Despatches.

RANK AND NAME.	REMARKS.
Ensign John Haynes	Wounded, Battle of Porto Novo, 1781.
Captain Andrew Ffrench	Killed on March 29th, 1825, at the attack on the Heights of Arracan.
Lieutenant J. K. Luard	Wounded on March 29th, 1825, at the attack on the Heights of Arracan.
Lieutenant F. B. White	Wounded on March 29th, 1825, at the attack on the Heights of Arracan.
Lieutenant R. S. Gledstanes	Wounded on March 29th, 1825, at the attack on the Heights of Arracan.
Lieutenant F. C. Rynd (20th Madras Infantry), attached 10th Madras Infantry.	Wounded near Ningyan (Pyminanah) North Burma, on August 15th, 1886, when on duty with escort for coolies cutting roads.
Lieutenant J. F. Greenwood	Killed on November 21st, 1886, when in command of advance guard on the road between Ningyan (Pyminanah), North Burma, and Yemethen.
2/Lieutenant N. G. Hathorn	Killed at Nasiriyeh, Euphrates, 14th July, 1915, taking the village of Shakhair.
Lieut.-Colonel A. C. H. Smithett	Wounded, Action in the Gurma Safeh, July 5th, 1915; killed, Battle of Ctesiphon, November 22nd, 1915.
Major C. L. Perrin	Killed, Battle of Ctesiphon, November 22nd, 1915.
2/Lieutenant R. W. Gosney	Killed, Battle of Ctesiphon, November 22nd, 1915.
2/Lieut. G. W. Muirhead	Killed, Siege of Kut-al-Amarah, December 12th, 1915.
Lieutenant T. M. Graves	Wounded, Action on the Gurma Safeh, July 5th, 1915; killed with Relief Force, Kut-al-Amarah.
Lieutenant A. H. Dobbs	Killed with Relief Force, Kut-al-Amarah, April 21st, 1916.
Captain S. M. Bailie (87th Punjabis)	Wounded, Action on the Gurma Safeh, July 5th, 1915.
Lieutenant R. D. E. Darell	Wounded, Nasiriyeh, July 24th, 1915.
Lieutenant E. J. D. MacElwaine	Wounded, Nasiriyeh, July 24th, 1915.
2/Lieutenant C. W. Spowart	Wounded, Battle of Ctesiphon, November 22nd, 1915.
Captain G. van R. Reyne	Wounded, Siege of Kut-al-Amarah.
Major H. G. Cotton, 99th Infantry (attached)	Accidentally wounded, Kut-al-Amarah, June 10th, 1916; died whilst prisoner-of-war, Baghdad, June, 1916.
Major J. J. D. Sillery (retired)	Killed in Gallipoli while serving with the Manchester Regt, 1915.
Captain B. H. B. Magrath (resigned)	Killed in France while serving with New Armies.
Captain A. G. Dawson (exchanged)	Killed in France with Middlesex Regiment.

	BRITISH OFFICERS.	INDIAN OFFICERS.	INDIAN OTHER RANKS.	FOLLOWERS
Killed in action	5	5	89	2
Died of wounds	2	—	32	1
Died of disease	2	—	35	3
Wounded	10	13	542	7
Died whilst prisoners of war	1	1	86	15

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 3RD BATTALION, 1ST PUNJAB REGIMENT ***

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			PAGE
Chapter	I.	“Sholinghur”—“Carnatic”	1
”	II.	“Mysore”—“Seringapatam”	8
”	III.	“Ava”	11
”	IV.	“Burma”—76th Punjabis	14
”	V.	The Great War: Egypt—Shaiba—Khafajiyeh—Euphrates—Nasiriyeh—First Battle of Kut	17
”	VI.	Ctesiphon and the Retirement to Kut	25
”	VII.	Kut	31
”	VIII.	End of the Great War—Third Afghan War	38
”	IX.	Palestine—3rd Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment—Waziristan	42
Appendix	I.	Decorations Awarded to Officers and Men: (1) Prior to the Great War; (2) During the Great War	49
”	II.	Mentioned in Despatches	52
”	III.	The Third Afghan War: Decorations and Mentions	54
”	IV.	British Officers Killed and Wounded	55
”	V.	Great War Casualties	56
”	VI.	List of Commandants, 1903-1926	56

626	Private Cotapah		Sasseedroog, 1844.
1135	Private Veerapah		Sasseedroog, 1844.
773	Private Hyder Ally Khan		Panalghur, 1844.
113	Havildar Moodoo Kistuah	}	Azimghur, 1858.
288	L./Naik Mohammed Ghalil	}
270	Private Syed Imarm	}
185	Drill-Havildar Shaik Abdood Cawder	}
338	L./Naik Mohammed Kassim	}
293	Private Mohammed Ally	}
273	Private Jyanah	}

Lieut.-Colonel J. Jackson, 16th Madras Infantry		1903-30/11/05
Lieut.-Colonel T. McKay		1/12/05-25/10/08
Lieut.-Colonel R. H. Dewing		26/10/08-1/10/12
Lieut.-Colonel A. C. Hamilton Smithett		2/10/12-25/11/15 (died of wounds)
Major H. C. Cotton, 99th Infantry, attached	}	Temporarily during the Siege of Kut.
Major N. V. L. Rybot, D.S.O.	}
Captain E. Milford	}
Lieut.-Colonel Rodney-Anderson, from 82nd Punjabis 26/11/15		(Never joined: died in India).
Captain R. D. E. Darell (Acting)		On reformation of the Regiment on 1/1/17.
Lieut.-Colonel W. L. Malcolm, from 31st Punjabis		1/3/17-31/1/18
Lieut.-Colonel L. A. Watson, from 74th Punjabis		1/2/18-15/5/18
Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Woodham		8/6/18-10/11/19
Major S. van B. Laing, D.S.O., M.C. (acting)		11/11/19-31/3/21
Lieut.-Colonel E. Milford, D.S.O.		1/4/21-31/1/25
Lieut.-Colonel A. F. Harper		1/2/25

Commander of the Order of the British Empire	1
Distinguished Service Order	5
Order of the British Empire	2
Military Cross	1
Order of British India, 1st Class	1
Order of British India, 2nd Class	5
Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class	14
Indian Distinguished Service Medal	53
Foreign Orders	4
Meritorious Service Medal	9
Mentions in Despatches	101

1st	62nd Punjabis.
2nd	66th Punjabis.
4th	1st Brahmans.
5th	82nd Punjabis.
10th	84th Punjabis, who became the Training Battalion for the Group or Regiment.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of A brief history of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment

A BRIEF HISTORY of the 3rd Battalion 1st PUNJAB REGIMENT

DEDICATION.

FOREWORD

CONTENTS

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE THIRD BATTALION, FIRST PUNJAB REGIMENT

CHAPTER I “SHOLINGHUR,” “CARNATIC”

CHAPTER II “MYSORE,” “SERINGAPATAM”

CHAPTER III “AVA”

CHAPTER IV 1857: “BURMA”—76th PUNJABIS

CHAPTER V THE GREAT WAR Egypt—Shaiba—Khafajiyeh—Euphrates—Nasariyeh—First Battle of Kut

CHAPTER VI CTESIPHON AND THE RETIREMENT TO KUT

CHAPTER VII KUT

CHAPTER VIII END OF THE GREAT WAR—THIRD AFGHAN WAR

CHAPTER IX PALESTINE—3RD BN. 1ST PUNJAB REGIMENT—WAZIRISTAN

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I DECORATIONS AWARDED TO OFFICERS AND MEN.

1. Prior to the Great War.

The Indian Order of Merit, 3rd Class.

2. During the Great War.

Commander of the British Empire.

Distinguished Service Order.

Order of the British Empire.

Military Cross.

Order of British India, 1st Class.

Order of British India, 2nd Class.

Indian Order of Merit, 2nd Class.

The Indian Distinguished Service Medal.

Bar to the Indian Distinguished Service Medal.

Foreign Orders.

Granted Honorary King’s Commissions.

The Meritorious Service Medal.

APPENDIX II. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES.

Khafajiyah, 1915.

Euphrates, 1915.

Ctesiphon, 1915.

Siege of Kut-al-Amarah.

Smyrna, 1918.

1919.

APPENDIX III. THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR: DECORATIONS AND MENTIONS.

Siege of Jandola.

Operations against Afghanistan.

APPENDIX IV. BRITISH OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED.

APPENDIX V. GREAT WAR CASUALTIES.

APPENDIX VI. LIST OF COMMANDANTS, 1903-1926.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

A BRIEF HISTORY
of the 3rd Battalion
1st PUNJAB REGIMENT

CHAPTER I
“SHOLINGHUR,” “CARNATIC”

CHAPTER II
“MYSORE,” “SERINGAPATAM”

CHAPTER III
“AVA”

CHAPTER IV
1857: “BURMA”—76th PUNJABIS

CHAPTER V
THE GREAT WAR
Egypt—Shaiba—Khafajiyeh—Euphrates—Nasariyeh—First Battle of Kut

CHAPTER VI
CTESIPHON AND THE RETIREMENT TO KUT

CHAPTER VII
KUT

CHAPTER VIII
END OF THE GREAT WAR—THIRD AFGHAN WAR

CHAPTER IX
PALESTINE—3RD BN. 1ST PUNJAB REGIMENT—WAZIRISTAN

APPENDIX I
DECORATIONS AWARDED TO OFFICERS AND MEN.

APPENDIX II.
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES.

APPENDIX III.
THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR: DECORATIONS AND MENTIONS.

APPENDIX IV.
BRITISH OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED.

APPENDIX V.
GREAT WAR CASUALTIES.

APPENDIX VI.
LIST OF COMMANDANTS, 1903-1926.