This article looks at the 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry and will help to research those who served with the Regiment. I have written separate articles for the war-raised 2nd and 3rd Battalions and a series of guides to help you research soldiers who served with the Indian Army during the First World War. To view the articles click on the blue links below:
- 2nd Battalion 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry
- 3rd Battalion 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry
- Guides to Researching Soldiers who Served in the Indian Army in WW1
The 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry in the First World War
Lineage: Raised by Captain H. R. Deschamps in 1820 as the 2nd (Marine) Battalion, 12th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, then the 2nd Battalion, 12th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry in 1823 and the 24th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry in 1824. Then the 24th Regiment of Bombay Infantry in 1885, the 24th (Baluchistan) Regiment of Bombay Infantry in 1891, the 24th (the Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan) Regiment of Bombay Infantry in 1895, and the 24th (the Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan) Infantry in 1901. In 1903 it was designated the 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry and in 1922, the 1st Battalion The Baluch Regiment.
Composition in 1914: 2 Companies of Hazaras, 2 Companies of Punjabi Musalmans, 1 Company of Khattacks, 1 Company of Mahsud Wazirs and 2 Companies of Sikhs other than Jat Sikhs. 1919: 1 Company of Hazaras, 1 Company of Punjabi Musalmans, 1/2 a Company of Khattacks, 1/2 a Company of Mahsud Wazirs and 1 Company of Sikhs other than Jat Sikhs.
Location in July 1914: The 124th Baluchistan Infantry was stationed at Quetta (Balochistan, Pakistan) having arrived from North China on 22nd June 1914.
The 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry was stationed at Quetta when the First World War began in August 1914. The extract below was taken from the October 1914 Indian Army List which recorded the British officers serving with the Regiment.
War Diaries of the 1st Battalion 124th Baluchistan Infantry
There are two war diaries for the Battalion and the first has been digitized by the National Archives. To download this war diary for a small fee click on the first blue link below. The second war diary can only be viewed at the National Archives.
- Date: 01 March – 31 July 1916
- Bushire Force, Mesopotamia
- Reference: WO 95/5010/6
- Notes: The majority of days have no entry, and of those that do it is very brief. I have transcribed the only long entry to be found in the war diary of the 124th Baluchis below. This war diary has been digitized and is available to download from the National Archives’ website.
- Date: April 1919
- 66th Infantry Brigade, 16th Indian Division
- Reference: WO 95/5414
- Notes:
Further Sources for the 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan
For information regarding British and Indian officers who served with the Regiment, the Indian Army List can be consulted. A good resource for the 124th Baluchistan Infantry is its confidential reports held at the British Library: Confidential Reports on Regiments etc. These reports also contain the confidential reports of British officers serving with the Regiment. However, when the Regiment was abroad only its Depot and the British officers serving with it were reported on.
There is a good regimental history: First Battalion Duchess of Connaught’s own (late 124th D.C.O. Baluchistan infantry) and the Tenth Battalion (late 2/124th Baluchistan infantry) by Oswald Arthur Chaldecott. First published in 1935 and not reprinted, this is a difficult book to get hold of. I looked at a copy at the British Library, a copy is also held at the Imperial War Museum.
Extracts from War Diaries
01 March – 31 July 1916, Bushire Force, WO 95/5010/6
02 March 1916 – Regiment left Quetta for Kiamari.
16 March 1916 – The following detachment from 129th Baluchis from East Africa rejoined the Regiment at Bushire. Indian officers 4, Rank and file 144.
28 April 1916 – Bushire – At 3 am the force detailed to carry out a reconnaissance toward Chaghadar marched in the direction of Saribust, covered by an advance guard of two companies 96th Infantry. The wing of the Regiment formed part of the main body and marched in rear of the 96th Infantry. The enemy’s trenches at Saribust and to the East were rushed under cover of darkness, and were found unoccupied. The force then proceeded from Saribust after sunrise towards Chaghadar. The wind of the regiment less two companies detailed as escort to the guns, being in general reserve.
The enemy opened fire at the advance guard at a range of about 1400, but their attention being distracted by the cavalry working on our left flank. The infantry were able to approach and occupy the enemy’s trenches and the village of Chaghadar without casualties. The village was burnt and the towers blown up, after which the force returned to Bushire, covered by a rear guard of four companies 96th Infantry. The retirement was not molested. The wing returned to camp at 7 pm having covered 30 miles during the operations.
May 1916 – Bushire – During the month nothing unusual happened. The usual routine work. Two Hazaras deserted to the enemy one with his rifle and ammunition.
02 July 1916 – Bushire – One Lance Naik and five Sepoys (Khattaks) deserted.
26 July 1916 – Bushire – One Hazara died in hospital from heatstroke.