Madras Native Veteran Battalions
There were two known Battalions, the 1st Native Veteran Battalion, or the 1st N. V. B and the 2nd Native Veteran Battalion, or the 2nd N.V.B.
C 1857 the 1st Battalion had its headquarters at Madras with four detachments out, whilst the 2nd (or Arni Battalion) was stationed at Arcot with eight detachments out.[1]
They appear to have been similar in concept to the Carnatic European Veteran Battalion
"Despite the Battalions' names, Europeans were in commissioned and non-commissioned officer roles, the latter including lance corporal, corporal, sergeant, sergeant major."[2]
The Battalions were disbanded in February 1860 according to the government order "Reduction of the 1st and 2nd Native Veteran Battalions" dated 10 February 1860, page 195 Allen’s Indian Mail January-June 1860 . This order advises "European officers serving with battalions will be posted to the European veterans"
External links
- Captain James Smith was invalided out of the Madras Army in April 1818 on account of wounds and placed on the strength of the 1st Native Veteran Battalion, in which unit he was still shown in 1856. dnw.co.uk, archived. Note Dodwell and Miles advise he retired in 1833 (in India)[3]
Historical books online
- Page 124 of the Madras section of the East India Register and Army List for 1859 , titled "Invalid Establishment", lists some/all? of the officers in the 1st and 2nd N.V.B.
References
- ↑ Google Books snippet search result The Bulletin The Military Historical Society - Volume 47, Issue 185 - Volume 48, Issue 192 - Page 128. Also see Distribution Return of Her Majesty's and the East India Company's Troops Serving under the Presidency of Fort St. George (Madras) 1 April 1857 The Nafziger Collection of Orders of Battle (page 171 of the Finding Aid)
- ↑ India List post by Peter [(probably) Bailey] dated 6 June 2012, now archived.
- ↑ pages 160-161 Alphabetical List of the Officers of the Madras Army
