INDIAN ARMY 1914

[CROONAERT]

I have the Victory medal to an Indian who was KIA on 7th November 1914. He was part of the 129th Duke of Connaughts Own Baluchis, 7th (Ferozepore) Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division.

He is commemmorated on the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial.

Does anyone know what this particular unit was doing ,and where,on this particular day? I know that the unit fought in 1st Ypres,and thought that the 129th Baluchis were still in the Ypres area on this date (the 7th Bde stayed in Belgium, temporarily, while the remainder of the Division moved south to the Neuve-Chapelle area ,early November) .

Can anyone confirm my thoughts on this and, if I'm correct, why is he on the Neuve-Chapelle memorial and not the Menin Gate?

Thanks,

Dave.

[Joe Sweeney]

Dave,

I can't say exactly what the 129th was doing on that date but the Ferozepore Brigade started to be pulled out of the Ypres area on 29 Oct 1914 to rejoin the Indian units to the south. The 129th was still supporting the British cavalry near Messines on the 31st. The 129th had rejoined its Brigade in Festubert by the 23rd of Nov. Not sure when the 129th moved but early November is likely.

Joe Sweeney

[robwilliams]

Dave,

The book, 'Sepoys in the Trenches' is very good and will probably be able to answer your question. If you have not got access, I'll dig mine out and have a look for you.

Rob

[CROONAERT]

Rob & Joe,

Thanks for your answers. I have "Sepoys in the Trenches" ,this is where I've got most of the information that I already have. Unfortunately this book didn't help as,like one of my other sources "With the Indians in France",there is a"blank" week in which the 7th of November is part. If anything,this aroused my curiosity as to what actually happened that week.

Does anyone know if there are any Indian Bn. War Diaries at the PRO?

Thanks,

Dave.

[Chris_Baker]

...one of my other sources "With the Indians in France"...

Dave

Not sure if we are talking about the same thing here but I have a copy of "The Indian Corps in France", by Merewether and Smith.

It does mention an incident on 7th November, but it only concerned an enemy attack against the 1st Seaforths. They were part of the Dehra Dun Brigade of the Meerut Division.

I know that at least some of the Indian unit diaries are in WO95 in the PRO.

As an extra bit of info which may or may not be connected, 22nd Brigade of 7th Division launched a counter attack near Zillebeke (actually Armagh Wood) in the morning. Captain John Vallentin of the 1st South Staffords was awarded a posthumous VC for his part in leading it. That's not too far from where the Indians were.

[CROONAERT]

Thanks Chris.I hadn't looked at the Merewether & Smith book,but as you did,and only found reference to the Meeruts on that date,there doesn't seem much point me doing the same.

My source mentioned ,"With the Indians in France" is a pamphlet sized booklet privately published,I think, in 1916. It is basically a "minature (basic) war diary" of the 3rd Indian Division (very Manchester Regiment orientated) 1914 - early 1915. As I said,it's very basic,but tended to name a lot of places and dates,which I found unusual,especially regarding the date it was printed.

If I may be so bold, could I ask that if anyone is going to the PRO,could they have a look for me to see if a diary for this particular unit around these dates is held there?

Thanks,

Dave.

[Andrew Marshall]

Dave

Don't know if this is any help but here are the results from a search I did on the PROCAT site using "Baluchis" in the WO95 series

WO 95/3924 129 (D.C.O.) Baluchis 1914 Aug. - 1915 Mar.

WO 95/3925 7 (Ferozepore) Infantry Brigade: 129 (D.C.O.) Baluchis 1915 Apr. - 1915 Nov.

WO 95/4668 2/127 Battalion Baluchis Light Infantry 1918 Apr. - 1919 Feb.

WO 95/4672 130 Battalion Baluchis Infantry 1918 May - 1919 Mar.

WO 95/5332 DETACHED FORCES: 1 East African Infantry Brigade: 130 Battalion Baluchis 1916 Nov. - 1917 Oct.

WO 95/5320 127 Battalion Baluchis 1917 Aug. - Nov.

WO 95/5321 No. 1 Column: 129 Battalion Baluchis 1917 Oct. - Dec.

WO 95/5322 No. 2 Column: 129 Battalion Baluchis 1917 Apr. - Sept.

WO 95/5323 127 Battalion Baluchis 1917 Dec. - 1918 Jan.

WO 95/5339 130 Battalion Baluchis 1916 Mar. - Oct.

WO 95/5341 2 East African Infantry Brigade: 129 Battalion Baluchis 1915 Dec. - 1916 Sept.

WO 95/5341 2 East African Infantry Brigade: 129 Battalion Baluchis 1917 Jan. - Mar.

WO 95/5341 3 East African Infantry Brigade: 129 Battalion Baluchis 1916 Oct. - Nov.

WO 95/5345 1 East African Infantry Brigade: 130 Battalion Baluchis 1915 Feb. - 1916 Feb.

WO 95/5399 8 Indian Infantry Brigade: 1/130 Battalion Baluchis 1921 Feb. - Sept.

WO 95/5401 21 Indian Infantry Brigade: 2/127 Battalion Baluchis 1920 Aug. - 1921 Mar.

WO 95/5401 21 Indian Infantry Brigade: 1/129 Battalion Baluchis 1921 July - Oct.

Hope this helps

Andrew

[CROONAERT]

Thanks Andrew.

The one I'm looking for is the very first one on your list!

Now I know that it exists,I can pursue that particular line.

Cheers all!,

Dave.