2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Lancers was a cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army
raised in 1809. It served in the Nepal and First World Wars. During the reconstruction of the British Indian Army
in 1922 it was amalgamated with the 4th Cavalry.
who had previously served with the 74th Highlanders
; it first saw service in the Nepal War of 1815.
Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) underwent many name changes in various reorganisations. (They are listed below):
. It was brigaded with the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
and the 38th King George's Own Central India Horse
Once in France its personnel were called upon to serve in the trenches as infantry. The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on performance. British officers who understood the language, customs and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers.
During their time on the Western Front
the regiment was involved in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Bazentin, Battle of Flers Courcelette, the Advance to the Hindenburg Line
and the Battle of Cambrai
.In February 1918 they left France for Egypt, joining the 4th Cavalry Division in the Desert Mounted Corps. From May 1918 the Regiment took part in General Allenby's campaign in Palestine. On 20th September 1918 during the Battle of Megiddo (Armageddon) during Allenby's advance on Jerusalem, the 2nd Lancers, commanded by Captain, temporary Major and Acting Lt. Colonel, Douglas Davison launched an improvised cavalry charge which broke the Turkish lines, destabilised the defence, and paved the way for victory instead of stalemate before Jerusalem. One squadron, on the initiative of its commander, moved on to capture the village of El Afuleh, along with around 100 German personnel, aircraft, trucks and railway stock. Capt. D.S. Davison was awarded the DSO for his part in this battle. The Regiment returned to India in December 1920.
was awarded during World War I
to Gobind Singh (7 December 1887 - 9 December 1942) a Lance-Daffadar (corporal) in the 27th Light Cavalry attached to the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse). On 12 December 1917, east of Peizieres, Singh volunteered three times to carry messages between the regiment and brigade headquarters, a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) over open ground which was under heavy fire. He succeeded in delivering the messages, although on each occasion his horse was shot from under him and he was compelled to finish the journey on foot.
is awarded for "daring and heroic actions performed by mariners and others in danger of perishing, by reason of wrecks and other perils of the sea". It was awarded on 15 March, 1919 to Trooper Mangal Sain, 2nd Indian Lancers (Gardner's Horse) at Beirut
, Lebanon. Whilst guarding a party of Turkish POWs who were being allowed to swim, he saved a prisoner and a British soldier from drowning.
during World War II as part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade
, 7th Armoured Division. It was brigaded with the 18th King Edward's Own Cavalry
and the 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)
. It also supplied men for the Indian Long Range Squadron
.
In 1941 the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade, during the Battle of Gazala
, formed the southernmost point of the Gazala Line near Bir Hacheim. On 27 May 1942, Italy’s Ariete Armoured Division overran the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade.
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...
raised in 1809. It served in the Nepal and First World Wars. During the reconstruction of 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...
in 1922 it was amalgamated with the 4th Cavalry.
Early history
The regiment was raised in 1809 by William Linnæus GardnerWilliam Linnæus Gardner
William Linnæus Gardner , was an Indian officer.Gardner was eldest son of Major Valentine Gardner, 16th Foot. The father was elder brother of Alan, first lord Gardner [q. v.], and was with the 16th foot during its service in America from 1767 to 1782. Gardner's mother was his father's first wife,...
who had previously served with the 74th Highlanders
Highland Light Infantry
The Highland Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1959. In 1923 the regimental title was expanded to the Highland Light Infantry ...
; it first saw service in the Nepal War of 1815.
Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) underwent many name changes in various reorganisations. (They are listed below):
World War I
The regiment was sent to France in World War I as part of the Mhow Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Indian Cavalry Division2nd Indian Cavalry Division
The 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was a regular division of the British Indian Army during World War I.-History:The division sailed for France from Bombay on October 16, 1914, under the command of Major General G A Cookson. During the war the division would serve in the trenches as infantry...
. It was brigaded with the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
The 6th Dragoons was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1689. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into the 5th/6th Dragoons in 1922.The 'Skins' are one of the four ancestor regiments of the Royal Dragoon...
and the 38th King George's Own Central India Horse
Once in France its personnel were called upon to serve in the trenches as infantry. The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on performance. British officers who understood the language, customs and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers.
During their time on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
the regiment was involved in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Bazentin, Battle of Flers Courcelette, the Advance to the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
and the Battle of Cambrai
Battle of Cambrai (1918)
The Battle of Cambrai was a battle between troops of the British First, Third and Fourth Armies and German Empire forces during the Hundred Days Offensive of the First World War. The battle took place in and around the French city of Cambrai, between 8 and 10 October 1918...
.In February 1918 they left France for Egypt, joining the 4th Cavalry Division in the Desert Mounted Corps. From May 1918 the Regiment took part in General Allenby's campaign in Palestine. On 20th September 1918 during the Battle of Megiddo (Armageddon) during Allenby's advance on Jerusalem, the 2nd Lancers, commanded by Captain, temporary Major and Acting Lt. Colonel, Douglas Davison launched an improvised cavalry charge which broke the Turkish lines, destabilised the defence, and paved the way for victory instead of stalemate before Jerusalem. One squadron, on the initiative of its commander, moved on to capture the village of El Afuleh, along with around 100 German personnel, aircraft, trucks and railway stock. Capt. D.S. Davison was awarded the DSO for his part in this battle. The Regiment returned to India in December 1920.
Victoria Cross
The Regiments' only Victoria CrossVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
was awarded during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
to Gobind Singh (7 December 1887 - 9 December 1942) a Lance-Daffadar (corporal) in the 27th Light Cavalry attached to the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse). On 12 December 1917, east of Peizieres, Singh volunteered three times to carry messages between the regiment and brigade headquarters, a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) over open ground which was under heavy fire. He succeeded in delivering the messages, although on each occasion his horse was shot from under him and he was compelled to finish the journey on foot.
Albert Medal
The Albert MedalAlbert Medal
Albert Medal may refer to:* Albert Medal , awarded for lifesaving.* Albert Medal , awarded by the Royal Society of Arts....
is awarded for "daring and heroic actions performed by mariners and others in danger of perishing, by reason of wrecks and other perils of the sea". It was awarded on 15 March, 1919 to Trooper Mangal Sain, 2nd Indian Lancers (Gardner's Horse) at Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, Lebanon. Whilst guarding a party of Turkish POWs who were being allowed to swim, he saved a prisoner and a British soldier from drowning.
World War II
The regiment served in the Western Desert CampaignWestern Desert Campaign
The Western Desert Campaign, also known as the Desert War, was the initial stage of the North African Campaign during the Second World War. The campaign was heavily influenced by the availability of supplies and transport. The ability of the Allied forces, operating from besieged Malta, to...
during World War II as part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade
3rd Indian Motor Brigade
The 3rd Indian Motor Brigade was a unit of the Indian Army during World War II, formed in 1940. In its short history one of its regiments would be involved in the siege of Tobruk and the brigade was twice overrun during the Western Desert Campaign by units of the Afrika Corps and the Italian...
, 7th Armoured Division. It was brigaded with the 18th King Edward's Own Cavalry
18th King Edward's Own Cavalry
The 18th King Edward's Own Cavalry was a regular cavalry regiment in the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922 by the amalagamation of the 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry and the 7th Hariana Lancers...
and the 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)
11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)
The 11th Cavalry also known as PAVO Cavalry, is an armoured regiment of the Pakistan Army. It was previously known as the 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry and was a regular cavalry regiment of the old British Indian Army...
. It also supplied men for the Indian Long Range Squadron
Indian Long Range Squadron
The Indian Long Range Squadron or ILRS was a unit of the British Indian Army during the Second World War. It was formed by asking for volunteers from the, 2nd Lancers, 11th Cavalry and the 18th Cavalry all part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade. It was originally formed to patrol the borders between...
.
In 1941 the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade, during the Battle of Gazala
Battle of Gazala
The Battle of Gazala was an important battle of the Second World War Western Desert Campaign, fought around the port of Tobruk in Libya from 26 May-21 June 1942...
, formed the southernmost point of the Gazala Line near Bir Hacheim. On 27 May 1942, Italy’s Ariete Armoured Division overran the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade.
Regiment's name changes
- 1809 Gardner’s Horse
- 1823 2nd (Gardner’s) Local horse
- 1840 2nd Irregular Cavalry
- 1861 2nd Regt. of Bengal Cavalry
- 1890 2nd Regt. Of Bengal Lancers
- 1901 2nd Bengal Lancers
- 1903 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse)
- 1922 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse), retained old name after amalgamation
- 1935 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
- 1947 To Indian Army upon Partition
- 1950 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) upon India becoming a Republic
Further reading
- Kempton, C (1996). A Register of Titles of the Units of the H.E.I.C. & Indian Armies 1666-1947. Bristol: British Empire & Commonwealth Museum. ISBN 978-0-9530174-0-9
- Gaylor, J (1992). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903- 1991. Stroud: Spellmount Publishers Ltd. ISBN 978-0-946771-98-1
- D.E.Whitworth (2005) (Paperback edition)History of the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) from 1809-1922. Naval & Military Press Ltd. ISBN 978-1-845743-16-1