Auxiliary Regiments: Difference between revisions

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{{TOC right}}'''Auxiliary or volunteer regiments''' were originally local civilian volunteer corps tasked with local security.  In 1917 compulsory service was introduced.  When the corps became the Auxiliary Force, India in 1920 volunteer service was resumed, however there was a minimum term of service.
{{TOC right}}The Indian '''volunteer regiments''' were originally local civilian volunteer corps tasked with local security.   
 
In 1917, the '''Indian Defence Force''' (IDF), a part-time group, was formed to undertake garrison duties in India to release professional soldiers for fighting duties. Although the Indian Section was voluntary, the British Section was compulsory. This was the cause of dissatisfaction among many British persons.   
 
The IDF was replaced by the '''Auxiliary Force, India''' (AFI) in 1920.  This saw volunteer service resume, however there was a minimum term of service.  The AFI officers and men could be mobilised in the event of war.  


==History==
==History==
Line 6: Line 10:
*1920 - Formation of '''Auxiliary Force (India)''' (AFI)
*1920 - Formation of '''Auxiliary Force (India)''' (AFI)


===Indian volunteer force===
==Indian volunteer force==
After the [[Indian Mutiny]] local volunteer infantry forces began to be set up.  Cavalry corps started in the 1860s and the first volunteer artillery brigade was constituted in 1879.  [[Railways|Railway]] companies also formed infantry corps from their staff beginning in 1869.
The [[Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry]] was a volunteer force raised in July 1857 after the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny and disbanded in 1859.
 
After the [[Indian Mutiny]] local volunteer infantry forces began to be set up.  Cavalry corps started in the 1860s and the first volunteer artillery brigade was constituted in 1879.  [[Railways|Railway]] companies also formed infantry corps from their staff beginning in 1869, more on which can be found in the [[Railway Regiments]] article.
 
The volunteer corps were open to Europeans and [[Anglo Indians|Eurasians]] and (with the exception of an adjutant and others such as sergeant instructors) consisted mainly of volunteers.  However, in railway employment, it was virtually compulsory for all employees, both European and Eurasian, to enlist in the Railway Volunteer Regiments.
 
For men who were employed by the Army (non-volunteers), it may be possible to find them in the army records. Usually  these men may be found on the  [[Unattached List]].
 
Officers of the Indian Volunteer Corps from [[Military periodicals online#New Army List|Military periodicals online-New Army List]] [British Army]
{|cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1"
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|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjanvol21914grea#page/618/mode/2up October-December 1913]
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|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistapr1914grea#page/1474/mode/2up  January- March 1914]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjul1914grea#page/1474/mode/2up  April-June 1914]
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|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjanvol21915grea#page/638/mode/2up  October-December 1914]
|-
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistapr1915grea#page/1676/mode/2up  January-March 1915]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjul1915grea#page/1784/mode/2up April-June 1915]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistoctvol31915grea#page/250/mode/2up July-September 1915]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjanvol21916grea#page/828/mode/2up  October-December 1915]
|-
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistaprvol31916grea#page/378/mode/2up January-March 1916]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjulvol31916grea#page/330/mode/2up April-June 1916]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistoctvol31916grea#page/472/mode/2up July-September 1916]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjanvol31917grea#page/396/mode/2up October-December 1916]
|-
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistaprvol31917grea#page/454/mode/2up January-March 1917]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjulvol31917grea#page/434/mode/2up April-June 1917]
 
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistoctvol31917grea#page/520/mode/2up July-September 1917]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjanpart121919grea#page/1294/mode/2up October-December 1917]
 
|-
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistaprvol31918grea#page/574/mode/2up January-March 1918]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjulvol31918grea#page/578/mode/2up April-June 1918]
|<nowiki>*</nowiki>
|<nowiki>*</nowiki>
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Lists of Officers of the Indian Defence Force were published in the ''Indian Army Lists''. See [[Indian Army List online]]
 
==Indian Defence Force==
During the [[First World War]] compulsory service was deemed necessary and the Indian Defence Force Act was passed in 1917.  The volunteer corps became units of the IDF and were redesignated.  European British men between the ages of 18 and 41 were subject to compulsory service within India. Some corps allowed Indians to join as volunteers.
 
The IDF corps performed local security duties during the war and were not sent to the front. Some officers were transferred to regular [[Indian Army]] units.
However, a few units were formed comprising volunteers who wanted to fight the war. [https://web.archive.org/web/20170302195115/http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/the-great-war/great-war-on-land/other-war-theatres/1072-indian-volunteers-in-the-great-war-east-african-campaign.html "Indian Volunteers in the Great War East African Campaign"] by Harry Fecitt, now an archived webpage, gives details of The North-Western Railway Volunteers, the Calcutta Volunteer Battery and the Indian Volunteer Maxim Gun Company in East Africa, although the Commonwealth War Graves Commission classifies them as East African Protectorate units in its records. Elsewhere, there is a brief mention of the Nagpur Volunteer Machine Gun Company in German East Africa.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.105072/page/n16/mode/1up Page 4] ''Supplement To The Quarterly Civil List For The Central Provinces And Berar Up to 1st Jan 1938''. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the entry for E H Milner, Public Works Department. Archive.org</ref>, however this appears to be the Indian Volunteer Maxim Gun Company, whose membership included some from the Nagpur Volunteer Rifles.<ref>bushfighter. [https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/92267-graves-of-the-indian-volunteer-maxim-gun-company-in-kenya/ Graves of the Indian Volunteer Maxim Gun Company in Kenya] ''Great War Forum'' 16 February , 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2021.</ref> At least one member of  the North Western Railway Volunteers also served in Mesopotamia,<ref>Wilton-Davies, Colin [https://web.archive.org/web/20200205041034/https://lists.rootsweb.com/hyperkitty/list/india.rootsweb.com/thread/12907264/  Railway Regiments] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 18 January 2000, archived.</ref>  but it is possible this may have been an individual appointment for an existing member of the Volunteers.  


The volunteer corps were open to Europeans and 'Eurasians' and, with the exception of an adjutant, consisted entirely of volunteers.  
The [[Volunteer Artillery Battery]] in which  the majority of the men came from Burma, served in Mesopotamia, and was captured at the fall of Kut.  


===Indian Defence Force===
The Anglo Indian Force, including the Anglo Indian Battery, was raised by the Anglo-Indian Association  and served in Mesopotamia. Refer [[First World War#Anglo-Indians|First World War - Anglo-Indians]].
During the [[First World War]] compulsory service was deemed necessary and the Indian Defence Force Act was passed in 1917.  The volunteer corps became units of the IDF and were redesignated.  European British men between the ages of 18 and 41 were subject to compulsory service.  Some corps allowed Indians to join as volunteers.


The IDF corps performed local security duties during the war and were not sent to the front. Some officers were transferred to regular [[Indian Army]] units.  After the War the IDF as an official organization was disbanded.
After the War the IDF as an official organization was disbanded.


===Auxiliary Force India===
==Auxiliary Force India==
A further reorganization of the units occured in 1920 when the Auxiliary Force (India) replaced the IDF.  Volunteers enrolled for an indefinite period but could be discharged after four years (or upon reaching the age of 45).  The AFI was disbanded upon Partition.
A further reorganization of the units occured in 1920 when the Auxiliary Force (India) replaced the IDF.  Volunteers enrolled for an indefinite period but could be discharged after four years (or upon reaching the age of 45).  The AFI was disbanded upon Partition.
==Auxiliary Force Burma==
* See [[:Category:Burma Volunteer Corps|Burma Volunteer  Corps]]
*[http://www.rothwell.force9.co.uk/burmaweb/BAF.htm  Burma Auxiliary Force] following separation of Burma from India in April 1937 rothwell.force9.co.uk
==FIBIS resources==
*"William Garnett, the Volunteering Major" by Michael Garnett ''FIBIS Journal Number 26 Autumn 2011'', pages 26-30. For details of how to access this article, see [[FIBIS Journals]]             
:He played a major role in the establishment of the [[Cawnpore Light Horse]] and on retirement to England in 1919 held the rank of Company Sergeant Major. This article contains much information about the Cawnpore Light Horse and about Volunteer Regiments generally.
==Medals==
In 1894 the grant of the Volunteer Officers’ Decoration was extended to India and the Colonies, followed in 1896 by the Volunteer Long Service Medal for Indian and Colonial Forces.<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=38plTGsBDAcC&pg=PR37 Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy - Vol. I], page 37 by John Horsley Mayo</ref> The qualifying period for the former was eighteen years<ref> [http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/territorial_decoration/volunteer_officers_decoration.htm Volunteer Officer’s Decoration] from [http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/british_index.htm The Guide to British War Medals] from North East Medals.</ref> and recipients were entitled to use the initials V.D. after their name.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Decoration Volunteer Decoration] Wikipedia </ref>
For the latter medal, it is likely the conditions were the same as applied in Australia where "The medal will be granted to all volunteers  (including volunteers who have retired,  and officers who have served in the ranks but have not qualified for the Volunteer Officers' Decoration) on completion of 20 years' service in the volunteer forces provided that they are  recommended by their present, or former,  commanding officers".<ref>[http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3069198?searchTerm=Meritorious+Service+Medal The West Australian (Perth), Monday 19 November 1894, page 6] Australian Newspapers, National Library of Australia</ref>  The Volunteer Long Service Medal was replaced in 1930 by the Efficiency Medal  “to reward the long and meritorious service of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men”, and it applied after twelve years of service.<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1954/0008/latest/whole.html The Efficiency Medal] from New Zealand Legislation, a New Zealand Government website</ref>
It seems likely that the names of the medal recipients for the Indian Volunteer Forces Officers’ Decoration were gazetted in the ''Gazette of India'', as they do not appear to be in the ''London Gazette''. Some volumes of the ''Gazette of India'' are available online, refer [[Newspapers and journals online]]. At least some  names of the Volunteer Force Long Service Medal recipients were published in Indian Army Orders, some of which are available online, refer [[Military periodicals online#Indian Army Orders/Instructions|Military periodicals online - Indian Army Orders/Instructions]].
In January 2016, [[findmypast]] introduced the dataset "British Army, Indian Volunteer Force Medal Awards 1915-1939", now incorporated into the larger dataset "Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards",  located under Armed forces & conflict/Medal rolls and honours. The information for each transcript was extracted from the ''Indian Army Orders'' by Kevin Asplin. This dataset appears to inaccurately titled, as it relates to the Indian Army.
*[http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/territorial_decoration/volunteer_officers_decoration.htm    Volunteer Officers’ Decoration 1892 with VR Cypher]  northeastmedals.co.uk
*[https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=6444  Photograph: Indian Volunteer Officers’ Decoration George V] omsa.org. now archived.
===Books===
Refer British Library holdings below
===Individuals===
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170118102257/https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/lot-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=276599  Medals of  Second Lieutenant J. E. Aird, Surma Valley Light Horse] 1867-1928. A Tea Planter and Manager of the Deundi Estate, Sylhet. dnw.co.uk, archived.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170118104431/https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/lot-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=171543 Major Henry Francis Hallifax, Nagpur Volunteer Rifles] dnw.co.uk, archived.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170118104000/https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/lot-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=185767 Surgeon Charles Arthur Owen, Indian Subordinate Medical Department and Punjab Volunteer Rifles]  dnw.co.uk, archived.
==British Library holdings==
India Office records:
*  Collection 108 Volunteer Corps in India  '''IOR/L/MIL/7/4876-4945'''  1863-1919
**Collection 108/15 Volunteer officers' decoration.  '''IOR/L/MIL/7/4891'''  1892-1894
**Collection 108/20 Volunteer officers' decoration: supply of and publication of rules.  '''IOR/L/MIL/7/4896'''  1894-1908
**Collection 108/27 Volunteers' Long Service Medal: rules.  '''IOR/L/MIL/7/4903'''  1896-1913
*  Government Gazettes  '''IOR/V/11'''  1831-1947
Books:
*''The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration ; The Indian Volunteer Forces Officers’ Decoration'' by  J.M.A. Tamplin.  (Spink medal booklets ; no.6) c 1981. UIN: BLL01011834952
:This volume is part of a [https://web.archive.org/web/20100406234037/http://www.trademe.co.nz/Antiques-collectables/Militaria/Other/auction-281955440.htm series of 12] by JMA Tamplin, published between 1978 and 1992 by the medal company Spink & Son of London. At least some of the books in this series appear to be sourced from records in The National Archives series WO 102. The series also includes ''Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal''  by  J.M.A. Tamplin.  (Spink medal booklets ; no.8)  1984. UIN: BLL01011188375.  This book is available as a reprint from [http://www.savannahpublications.com/info.php?itemid=146 Savannah Publications] It seems likely, but has not been confirmed, that this book  does not include information about India, as there was a separately named medal "Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies".
*Information about the volunteer movement and the Auxiliary Force (India) Cavalry are included in the book ''Izzat: Historical Records and Iconography of Indian Cavalry Regiments 1750-2007'' by Ashok Nath 2009, published by the United Service Institution of India. UIN: BLL01015325022 .  Read about the book  [https://usiofindia.org/publication/cafhr-books/izzat-historical-records-and-iconography-of-indian-cavalry-regiments-1750-2007/ here] usiofindia.org.  It includes information about badges and emblems.  These two reviews give further details about the book: [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090412/spectrum/book1.htm Tribune India review].  [https://web.archive.org/web/20091116180449/http://www.sasnet.lu.se/izzat.pdf SASNET review] Swedish South Asian Studies Network, now archived.
==External links==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Defence_Force Indian Defence Force] Wikipedia
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regiments_of_the_Indian_Army_(1922) List of regiments of the Indian Army (1922)] includes Auxiliary Force. Wikipedia.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Long_Service_Medal_for_India_and_the_Colonies Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies] Established 1896. Replaced in 1930 by
:[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficiency_Medal Efficiency Medal] Wikipedia.
*[http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=6700&page=1 The Auxiliary Force, India (AFI) on 3 September 1939] from Patriotfiles.com
*''Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research'', Volume 61.no 247, Autumn 1983 pages 160-185. "The Auxiliary Force (India)" by A. A. Mains. An article about the European Volunteer Movement in India.  [https://www.jstor.org/stable/44227090 jstor.org].  Read online for free on the website Jstor.org, subject to registration with Jstor.org, and restrictions apply. For more details about Jstor, and the restrictions,  see the  page [[Miscellaneous tips]]. Alternatively you may be able to log in with a Library card.
===Historical books online===
*[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284593/mode/2up ''The Volunteer Force of India its Present and Future''] by Major  E H H Collen, published Simla c 1883. Archive.org, mirror from Digital Library of India.
:[https://archive.org/stream/commonwealthempi05londuoft#page/220/mode/2up "The Volunteer Forces of India"] by Edwin Collen page 221 ''The Empire Review. Volume V, No 27 April 1903''. Archive.org
*[https://archive.org/stream/calcuttareviewv03unkngoog#page/n40/mode/2up "The Auxiliary Forces in India"],  pages 31-42 ''The  Calcutta Review  Volume 89, July 1889''. Archive.org
*[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.72325/page/n3/mode/2up  ''Army Regulations India Vol IX : Regulations For The Volunteer Force 1913''] (catalogued as Army Regulations India For The Volunteer Force Vol IX). Archive.org, mirror from Digital Library of India.
*[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.33960/page/n3/mode/2up ''Regulations for the Auxiliary Force India''] 1921. Archive.org, mirror from Digital Library of India.
*''Report of the Auxiliary and Territorial Forces Committee, dated 23rd January 1925'' [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.36563/page/n1/mode/2up  Volume I], and [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.35237/page/n1/mode/2up Volume II] Archive.org, mirrors from Digital Library of India.
*[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.285121/2015.285121.Supplement-Indian#page/n222/mode/1up "War Services of Officers of the Auxiliary Force (India)"] page 284, ''Supplement to the Indian Army List January 1937'' Archive.org, Digital Library of India Collection.
*Also see [[Indian Army List online]]
== Notes ==
<references />


== Cavalry ==
== Cavalry ==
'''This list  is currently being reorganized'''
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
*[[1st United Provinces Horse]]
*[[1st United Provinces Horse]]
Line 46: Line 160:
*[[Ghazipur Light Horse]]
*[[Ghazipur Light Horse]]
*[[Gorakhpur Light Horse]]
*[[Gorakhpur Light Horse]]
*[[Lakimpur Mounted Rifles]]
*[[Lakhimpur Mounted Rifles]]
*[[Lumsden's Horse]]
*[[Northern Bengal Mounted Rifles]]
*[[Northern Bengal Mounted Rifles]]
*[[Nowgong Mounted Rifles]]
*[[Nowgong Mounted Rifles]]
*[[Oudh Light Horse]]
*[[Oudh Light Horse]]
*[[Punjab Light Horse]]
*[[Punjab Light Horse]]
*[[Rangoon Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Sibsagar Mounted Infantry]]
*[[Sibsagar Mounted Infantry]]
*[[Sibsagar Mounted Rifles]]
*[[Sibsagar Mounted Rifles]]
Line 72: Line 188:


== Infantry ==
== Infantry ==
'''This list  is currently being reorganized'''
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
*[[Agra Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Agra Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Allahabad Rifles]]
*[[Allahabad Rifles]]
*[[Allahabad Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Allahabad Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Assam Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[42nd Assam Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[Assam-Bengal Railway Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Assam-Bengal Railway Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Bangalore Battalion]]
*[[Bangalore Rifle Volunteers]]
*[[Bareilly Contingent]]
*[[Bareilly Contingent]]
*[[Bellary Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Bellary Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
Line 97: Line 212:
*[[Cawnpore Rifles]]
*[[Cawnpore Rifles]]
*[[Cawnpore Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Cawnpore Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Chittagong Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Coimbatore Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Coimbatore Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Coorg and Mysore Rifle Corps]]
*[[Coorg and Mysore Rifle Corps]]
*[[Dacca Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Darjeeling Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Darjeeling Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Dehra Dun Contingent]]
*[[Dehra Dun Contingent]]
*[[Delhi Contingent]]
*[[Delhi Contingent]]
*[[East Coast Rifle Volunteer Corps]]
*[[East Coast Rifle Volunteer Corps]]
*[[Eastern Bengal Company]]
*[[Eastern Bengal State Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[7th East Indian Railway Battalion]]
*[[7th East Indian Railway Corps]]
*[[12th Eastern Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[Eastern Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[East Indian Railway Regiment]]
*[[Eastern Bengal Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]  
*[[Eastern Bengal Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]  
*[[East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corp]]
*[[Eastern Bengal State Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Eastern Bengal Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Gauhati Rifles]]
*[[Gauhati Rifles]]
*[[Ghadeshi Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Ghadeshi Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
Line 119: Line 231:
*[[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Volunteer Corps]]
*[[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Volunteer Corps]]
*[[Hyderabad Rifles]]
*[[Hyderabad Rifles]]
*[[Kolar Gold Fields Battalion]]
*[[Kolar Gold Fields Rifle Volunteers]]
*[[Lakhimpur Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Lakhimpur Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Lucknow Rifles]]
*[[Lucknow Rifles]]
Line 128: Line 240:
*[[Malabar Volunteer Rifles]]  
*[[Malabar Volunteer Rifles]]  
*[[Midland Railway Volunteer Corps]]
*[[Midland Railway Volunteer Corps]]
*[[Nagpur Regiment]]
*[[Moulmein Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Nagpur Rifles]]
*[[Nagpur Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[2nd Nagpur Rifles]]  
*[[Naini Tal Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Nilgiri Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Nilgiri Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Northern Bengal Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Northern Bengal Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Northern Bengal State Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]  
*[[Northern Bengal State Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]  
*[[North-Western Railway Battalion]]
*[[24th North-Western Railway Battalion]]
*[[North-Western Railway Regiment]]
*[[North-Western Railway Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[North-Western Railway Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Orissa Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Orissa Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway Battalion]]
*[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Oudh Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Oudh Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Poona Rifles]]
*[[Poona Rifles]]
*[[Punjab Light Horse (Volunteers)]]
*[[Punjab Light Horse (Volunteers)]]
*[[Punjab Rifles]]
*[[Punjab Rifles]]
*[[3rd Punjab Rifles]]
*[[1st Punjab Volunteer Rifle Corps]]  
*[[1st Punjab Volunteer Rifle Corps]]  
*[[2nd Punjab Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[2nd Punjab (Simla) Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[3rd Punjab (North-Western Railway) Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[3rd Punjab (North-Western Railway) Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Rajputana-Malwa Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Rajputana-Malwa Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Rohilkhand Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Shillong Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Shillong Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Simla Rifles]]
*[[Sibpore College Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[4th Simla Rifles]]
*[[Simla Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Simla Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Sind, Punjab and Indus Valley Railways Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Sind, Punjab and Indus Valley Railways Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
Line 157: Line 265:
*[[South Andaman Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[South Andaman Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Southern Mahratta Railway Rifle Corps]]
*[[Southern Mahratta Railway Rifle Corps]]
*[[South Indian Railway Battalion]]
*[[29th South Indian Railway Battalion]]
*[[South Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[South Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[St. Michael's School Cadet Corps]]
*[[St Michael's School Cadet Corps]]
*[[Sylhet Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Sylhet Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Tirhoot State Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[Tirhoot State Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
Line 169: Line 275:


===1917 redesignations===
===1917 redesignations===
Corps redesignated as numbered battalions on the 1st April 1917 on formation of the IDF:
Corps redesignated as numbered battalions on the 1st April 1917 on formation of the Indian Defence Force:
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
*[[2nd Nagpur  Rifles]]
*[[3rd Punjab  Rifles]] 
*[[4th Simla  Rifles]]
*[[5th Calcutta Battalion]]
*[[5th Calcutta Battalion]]
*[[6th Bangalore, Coorg and Mysore  Battalion]]
*[[7th East Indian Railway Battalion]]
*[[12th Eastern Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[13th Great Indian Peninsula Railway Battalion]]
*[[13th Great Indian Peninsula Railway Battalion]]
*[[16th Bombay Battalion]]
*[[16th Bombay Battalion]]
Line 177: Line 289:
*[[20th Nilgiri Malabar Battalion]]
*[[20th Nilgiri Malabar Battalion]]
*[[22nd Bengal and North Western Railway Battalion]]
*[[22nd Bengal and North Western Railway Battalion]]
*[[24th North-Western Railway Battalion]]
*[[25th Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway Battalion]]
*[[29th South Indian Railway Battalion]]
*[[32nd Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Rifles]]
*[[32nd Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Rifles]]
*[[37th Calcutta Presidency Battalion]]
*[[37th Calcutta Presidency Battalion]]
*[[41st Eastern Bengal Company]]
*[[42nd Assam Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[43rd Kolar Gold  Fields Battalion]]
</div>
</div>
'''1918''':
*[[7th East Indian Railway Corps]]


===1920 redesignations===
===1920 redesignations===
Battalions and regiments redesignated on the 1st October 1920 on formation of the AFI:
Battalions and regiments redesignated on the 1st October 1920 on formation of the AFI:
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
*[[Assam Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[Bangalore  Battalion]]
*[[Bengal and North Western Railway Battalion]]
*[[Bengal and North Western Railway Battalion]]
*[[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Regiment]]
*[[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Regiment]]
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*[[Calcutta Battalion]]
*[[Calcutta Battalion]]
*[[Calcutta Presidency Battalion]]
*[[Calcutta Presidency Battalion]]
*[[Eastern Bengal Company]]
*[[Eastern Bengal Railway Battalion]]
*[[East Indian Railway Regiment]]
*[[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Regiment]]
*[[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Regiment]]
*[[Kolar Gold  Fields Battalion]]
*[[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Rifles]]
*[[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Rifles]]
*[[Nilgiri Malabar Battalion]]
*[[Nilgiri Malabar Battalion]]
*[[North-Western Railway  Regiment]]
*[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway Battalion]]
*[[Simla Rifles]]
*[[South Indian Railway Battalion]]
</div>
</div>


'''1926'''
'''1926'''
*[[Calcutta and Presidency Battalion]]
*[[Calcutta and Presidency Battalion]]
*[[Nagpur  Rifles]]


== Artillery ==
== Artillery ==
'''This list  is currently being reorganized'''
Volunteer units of the Royal Artillery in India.
Volunteer units of the Royal Artillery in India.
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*[[Madras Artillery Volunteers]]
*[[Madras Artillery Volunteers]]
*[[Madras Volunteer Guards]]
*[[Madras Volunteer Guards]]
*[[Moulmein Volunteer Artillery]]


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</div>
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*[[Karachi Artillery Volunteers]]
*[[Karachi Artillery Volunteers]]
*[[The Bangalore Armoured Car Company]]
*[[The Bangalore Armoured Car Company]]
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[[Category:Auxiliary Regiments| ]]
[[Category:Auxiliary Regiments| ]]
[[Category:Regiments| ]]
[[Category:Regiments| ]]

Latest revision as of 12:58, 9 August 2022

The Indian volunteer regiments were originally local civilian volunteer corps tasked with local security.

In 1917, the Indian Defence Force (IDF), a part-time group, was formed to undertake garrison duties in India to release professional soldiers for fighting duties. Although the Indian Section was voluntary, the British Section was compulsory. This was the cause of dissatisfaction among many British persons.

The IDF was replaced by the Auxiliary Force, India (AFI) in 1920. This saw volunteer service resume, however there was a minimum term of service. The AFI officers and men could be mobilised in the event of war.

History

  • Post-1858 - volunteer corps formed over subsequent decades
  • 1917 - Formation of Indian Defence Force (IDF), disbanded at the end of the war
  • 1920 - Formation of Auxiliary Force (India) (AFI)

Indian volunteer force

The Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry was a volunteer force raised in July 1857 after the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny and disbanded in 1859.

After the Indian Mutiny local volunteer infantry forces began to be set up. Cavalry corps started in the 1860s and the first volunteer artillery brigade was constituted in 1879. Railway companies also formed infantry corps from their staff beginning in 1869, more on which can be found in the Railway Regiments article.

The volunteer corps were open to Europeans and Eurasians and (with the exception of an adjutant and others such as sergeant instructors) consisted mainly of volunteers. However, in railway employment, it was virtually compulsory for all employees, both European and Eurasian, to enlist in the Railway Volunteer Regiments.

For men who were employed by the Army (non-volunteers), it may be possible to find them in the army records. Usually these men may be found on the Unattached List.

Officers of the Indian Volunteer Corps from Military periodicals online-New Army List [British Army]

October-December 1913
January- March 1914 April-June 1914 October-December 1914
January-March 1915 April-June 1915 July-September 1915 October-December 1915
January-March 1916 April-June 1916 July-September 1916 October-December 1916
January-March 1917 April-June 1917 July-September 1917 October-December 1917
January-March 1918 April-June 1918 * *

*Lists of Officers of the Indian Defence Force were published in the Indian Army Lists. See Indian Army List online

Indian Defence Force

During the First World War compulsory service was deemed necessary and the Indian Defence Force Act was passed in 1917. The volunteer corps became units of the IDF and were redesignated. European British men between the ages of 18 and 41 were subject to compulsory service within India. Some corps allowed Indians to join as volunteers.

The IDF corps performed local security duties during the war and were not sent to the front. Some officers were transferred to regular Indian Army units.

However, a few units were formed comprising volunteers who wanted to fight the war. "Indian Volunteers in the Great War East African Campaign" by Harry Fecitt, now an archived webpage, gives details of The North-Western Railway Volunteers, the Calcutta Volunteer Battery and the Indian Volunteer Maxim Gun Company in East Africa, although the Commonwealth War Graves Commission classifies them as East African Protectorate units in its records. Elsewhere, there is a brief mention of the Nagpur Volunteer Machine Gun Company in German East Africa.[1], however this appears to be the Indian Volunteer Maxim Gun Company, whose membership included some from the Nagpur Volunteer Rifles.[2] At least one member of the North Western Railway Volunteers also served in Mesopotamia,[3] but it is possible this may have been an individual appointment for an existing member of the Volunteers.

The Volunteer Artillery Battery in which the majority of the men came from Burma, served in Mesopotamia, and was captured at the fall of Kut.

The Anglo Indian Force, including the Anglo Indian Battery, was raised by the Anglo-Indian Association and served in Mesopotamia. Refer First World War - Anglo-Indians.

After the War the IDF as an official organization was disbanded.

Auxiliary Force India

A further reorganization of the units occured in 1920 when the Auxiliary Force (India) replaced the IDF. Volunteers enrolled for an indefinite period but could be discharged after four years (or upon reaching the age of 45). The AFI was disbanded upon Partition.

Auxiliary Force Burma

FIBIS resources

  • "William Garnett, the Volunteering Major" by Michael Garnett FIBIS Journal Number 26 Autumn 2011, pages 26-30. For details of how to access this article, see FIBIS Journals
He played a major role in the establishment of the Cawnpore Light Horse and on retirement to England in 1919 held the rank of Company Sergeant Major. This article contains much information about the Cawnpore Light Horse and about Volunteer Regiments generally.

Medals

In 1894 the grant of the Volunteer Officers’ Decoration was extended to India and the Colonies, followed in 1896 by the Volunteer Long Service Medal for Indian and Colonial Forces.[4] The qualifying period for the former was eighteen years[5] and recipients were entitled to use the initials V.D. after their name.[6]

For the latter medal, it is likely the conditions were the same as applied in Australia where "The medal will be granted to all volunteers (including volunteers who have retired, and officers who have served in the ranks but have not qualified for the Volunteer Officers' Decoration) on completion of 20 years' service in the volunteer forces provided that they are recommended by their present, or former, commanding officers".[7] The Volunteer Long Service Medal was replaced in 1930 by the Efficiency Medal “to reward the long and meritorious service of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men”, and it applied after twelve years of service.[8]

It seems likely that the names of the medal recipients for the Indian Volunteer Forces Officers’ Decoration were gazetted in the Gazette of India, as they do not appear to be in the London Gazette. Some volumes of the Gazette of India are available online, refer Newspapers and journals online. At least some names of the Volunteer Force Long Service Medal recipients were published in Indian Army Orders, some of which are available online, refer Military periodicals online - Indian Army Orders/Instructions.

In January 2016, findmypast introduced the dataset "British Army, Indian Volunteer Force Medal Awards 1915-1939", now incorporated into the larger dataset "Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards", located under Armed forces & conflict/Medal rolls and honours. The information for each transcript was extracted from the Indian Army Orders by Kevin Asplin. This dataset appears to inaccurately titled, as it relates to the Indian Army.

Books

Refer British Library holdings below

Individuals

British Library holdings

India Office records:

  • Collection 108 Volunteer Corps in India IOR/L/MIL/7/4876-4945 1863-1919
    • Collection 108/15 Volunteer officers' decoration. IOR/L/MIL/7/4891 1892-1894
    • Collection 108/20 Volunteer officers' decoration: supply of and publication of rules. IOR/L/MIL/7/4896 1894-1908
    • Collection 108/27 Volunteers' Long Service Medal: rules. IOR/L/MIL/7/4903 1896-1913
  • Government Gazettes IOR/V/11 1831-1947

Books:

  • The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration ; The Indian Volunteer Forces Officers’ Decoration by J.M.A. Tamplin. (Spink medal booklets ; no.6) c 1981. UIN: BLL01011834952
This volume is part of a series of 12 by JMA Tamplin, published between 1978 and 1992 by the medal company Spink & Son of London. At least some of the books in this series appear to be sourced from records in The National Archives series WO 102. The series also includes Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal by J.M.A. Tamplin. (Spink medal booklets ; no.8) 1984. UIN: BLL01011188375. This book is available as a reprint from Savannah Publications It seems likely, but has not been confirmed, that this book does not include information about India, as there was a separately named medal "Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies".
  • Information about the volunteer movement and the Auxiliary Force (India) Cavalry are included in the book Izzat: Historical Records and Iconography of Indian Cavalry Regiments 1750-2007 by Ashok Nath 2009, published by the United Service Institution of India. UIN: BLL01015325022 . Read about the book here usiofindia.org. It includes information about badges and emblems. These two reviews give further details about the book: Tribune India review. SASNET review Swedish South Asian Studies Network, now archived.

External links

Efficiency Medal Wikipedia.
  • The Auxiliary Force, India (AFI) on 3 September 1939 from Patriotfiles.com
  • Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Volume 61.no 247, Autumn 1983 pages 160-185. "The Auxiliary Force (India)" by A. A. Mains. An article about the European Volunteer Movement in India. jstor.org. Read online for free on the website Jstor.org, subject to registration with Jstor.org, and restrictions apply. For more details about Jstor, and the restrictions, see the page Miscellaneous tips. Alternatively you may be able to log in with a Library card.

Historical books online

"The Volunteer Forces of India" by Edwin Collen page 221 The Empire Review. Volume V, No 27 April 1903. Archive.org

Notes

  1. ↑ Page 4 Supplement To The Quarterly Civil List For The Central Provinces And Berar Up to 1st Jan 1938. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the entry for E H Milner, Public Works Department. Archive.org
  2. ↑ bushfighter. Graves of the Indian Volunteer Maxim Gun Company in Kenya Great War Forum 16 February , 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  3. ↑ Wilton-Davies, Colin Railway Regiments Rootsweb India Mailing List 18 January 2000, archived.
  4. ↑ Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy - Vol. I, page 37 by John Horsley Mayo
  5. ↑ Volunteer Officer’s Decoration from The Guide to British War Medals from North East Medals.
  6. ↑ Volunteer Decoration Wikipedia
  7. ↑ The West Australian (Perth), Monday 19 November 1894, page 6 Australian Newspapers, National Library of Australia
  8. ↑ The Efficiency Medal from New Zealand Legislation, a New Zealand Government website

Cavalry

This list is currently being reorganized

1917 redesignations

Corps redesignated as numbered battalions on the 1st April 1917 on formation of the IDF:

1920 redesignations

Battalions and regiments redesignated on the 1st October 1920 on formation of the AFI:

Infantry

This list is currently being reorganized

1917 redesignations

Corps redesignated as numbered battalions on the 1st April 1917 on formation of the Indian Defence Force:

1918:

1920 redesignations

Battalions and regiments redesignated on the 1st October 1920 on formation of the AFI:

1926

Artillery

This list is currently being reorganized

Volunteer units of the Royal Artillery in India.

1917 redesignations

Batteries and brigades redesignated on the 1st April 1917 on formation of the IDF:

1920 redesignations

Batteries and brigades redesignated on the 1st October 1920 on formation of the AFI:

1925

1933 redesignations

Batteries and brigades redesignated in 1933:

Engineers

Corps Of Signals

Machine Gun Corps


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