Changes

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Auxiliary Regiments

6,226 bytes added, 12:58, 9 August 2022
no edit summary
{{TOC right}}The Indian '''Auxiliary or 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 service . This was introducedthe cause of dissatisfaction among many British persons. When the corps became  The IDF was replaced by the '''Auxiliary Force, India ''' (AFI) in 1920 . This saw volunteer service was resumedresume, however there was a minimum term of service. The AFI officers and men could be mobilised in the event of war.
==History==
*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. [[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. This India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/india/2003-07/1059448463 post] advises that a Sergeant Instructor in the GIPR Volunteers was found in the [[Unattached List]] at the [[British Library]].
The book ''For men who were employed by the Army Regulations India Vol IX : Regulations For The Volunteer Force 1913'' (catalogued as Army Regulations India For The Volunteer Force Vol IXnon-volunteers) , it may be read online at possible to find them in the Digital Library of India websitearmy records. Refer Usually these men may be found on the [[Online books#Digital Library of India|Online books-Digital Library of IndiaUnattached List]] for more details about this site.
Officers of the Indian Volunteer Corpsfrom [[Military periodicals online#New Army List|Military periodicals online-New Army List]] [British Army]
{|cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1"
|
|
|
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjanvol21914grea#page/618/mode/2up October-December 1913] |-
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistapr1914grea#page/1474/mode/2up January- March 1914]
|[http://archive.org/stream/armylistjul1914grea#page/1474/mode/2up April-June 1914]
|[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/75-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. This India List Elsewhere, there is a brief mention of the Nagpur Volunteer Machine Gun Company in German East Africa.<ref>[httphttps://archiverarchive.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''.rootswebScroll 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.ancestry<ref>bushfighter.com[https:/th/readwww.greatwarforum.org/indiatopic/200092267-graves-of-the-indian-volunteer-maxim-gun-company-in-01kenya/0948180245 postGraves of the Indian Volunteer Maxim Gun Company in Kenya] indicates that ''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 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|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.
The following publications may be read online at the Digital Library of India website. Refer [[Online books#Digital Library of India|Online books-Digital Library of India]] for more details about this site.*''Regulations for the Auxiliary Force India'' 1921 (Contents computer page 10)*''Report of the Auxiliary and Territorial Forces Committee, dated 23rd January 1925'' Volumes I, and II (partial ,161 computer pages). Contents computer page 8 (each volume) (only partial for volume II) ===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==
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===
===Individuals===
*This [httphttps://medalcollectorsweb.comarchive.org/web/20170118102257/https:/forum/showthreadwww.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/lot-archive/lot.php?threadiddepartment=6217 threadMedals&lot_id=276599 Medals of Second Lieutenant J. E. Aird, Surma Valley Light Horse] from Medalcollectors1867-1928.com lists many individuals who were awarded A Tea Planter and Manager of the Volunteer Officers’ DecorationDeundi Estate, Sylhet. dnw.co.uk, archived.*[httphttps://medalcollectorsweb.archive.comorg/web/forum20170118104431/showthreadhttps://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/lot-archive/lot.php?sdepartment=c55fc484ae8664043adb9c298c740056Medals&threadidlot_id=6850&highlight=India Thread] about 171543 Major Henry Francis Hallifax, Nagpur Volunteer Rifles from Medalcollectors] 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.com
==British Library holdings==
India Office records:
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059-iorlmil_3-2_1-2&cid=1-1-42#1-1-42 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
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059-iorv_4-1&cid=1-1#1-1 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*''Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal'' by J.M.A. Tamplin. (Spink medal booklets ; no.8) c 1984. It is very likely, but has not been confirmed, that this book includes information about India.UIN: BLL01011834952:These volumes are 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 [httphttps://www.usiofindia.org/Publicationspublication/Bookscafhr-books/Viewizzat-historical-records-and-iconography-of-indian-cavalry-regiments-1750-2007/?bid=9 here]usiofindia.org. It includes information about uniforms, badges and emblems. These two reviews give further details about the book: [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090412/spectrum/book1.htm Tribune India review]. [httphttps://docsweb.googlearchive.comorg/web/20091116180449/viewer?a=v&q=cache:8uGLroXcIqUJhttp://www.sasnet.lu.se/izzat.pdf+%22Izzat+-+Historical+Records+and+Iconography+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+Cavalry+Regiments+1750-2007%22Army (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.&hlphp?name=enSections&glreq=auviewarticle&pidartid=bl6700&srcidpage=ADGEESh1 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-InU8JQ-oS0lvYFzYB9yfef6lOzsCM4VkCPqrBf3Yizn-XR_ixPITgwOt87jzOA1T4FUIcfzgYDyfeB9KebBmrNcBLwgA6sCMRqH2pSCFGLqDPUEjoxFM5JosMAB5Qe-nmbHG&sig185. "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===AHIEtbTh0C5*[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-ceE26eezrLYWp9nclAW-5g 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 SASNET reviewVolume I], and [https:html version//archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.35237/page/n1/mode/2up Volume II]Archive.org, mirrors from Digital Library of India. *[httphttps://wwwarchive.org/stream/in.ernet.sasnetdli.lu2015.se285121/izzat2015.285121.pdf original pdf versionSupplement-Indian#page/n222/mode/1up "War Services of Officers of the Auxiliary Force (India)"] Swedish South Asian Studies Networkpage 284, ''Supplement to the Indian Army List January 1937'' Archive.org, Digital Library of India Collection.*Also see [[Indian Army List online]]
== Notes ==
 
<references />
*[[Moulmein Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Nagpur Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Naini Tal Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Nilgiri Volunteer Rifles]]
*[[Northern Bengal Volunteer Rifle Corps]]
*[[The Bangalore Armoured Car Company]]
==External links==*[http{{#widget://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Defence_Force Indian Defence Force] WikipediaGoogle PlusOne*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regiments_of_the_Indian_Army_(1922) List of regiments of the Indian Army (1922)] includes Auxiliary Force|size=small*[http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name|count=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=6700&page=1 The Auxiliary Force, India (AFI) on 3 September 1939] from Patriotfiles.comtrue}} 
[[Category:Auxiliary Regiments| ]]
[[Category:Regiments| ]]
29,525
edits

Navigation menu