Lineage: Raised by Major John Jacob as the 1st Regiment of Jacob’s Rifles in 1858 it became Jacob’s Rifles in 1861 and then the same year the 30th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry or Jacob’s Rifles. Then the 30th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry or 3rd Baluch Battalion in 1881, the 30th Regiment of Bombay infantry (3rd Baluch Battalion) in 1885, the 30th Baluch Infantry in 1901, the 130th Baluchis in 1903, the 130th Prince of Wale’s Own Baluchis on 1st January 1906, and then the 130th Prince of Wales’s Own Baluchis (Jacob’s Rifles) and the 130th King George’s Own Baluchis (Jacob’s Rifles) in 1910.
Class Composition of Battalion in 1914: 2 Companies of Punjabi Musalmans, 3 Companies of Mashuds and 3 of other Pathans. 1919: 3 Companies of Punjabi Musalmans, and 1 Company of other Pathans.
Location in 1914: The 130th Baluchis was stationed at Aurangabad (Maharashtra, India) having arrived from Multan (Punjab, Pakistan) on 30 December 1913. A detachment was stationed at Multan.
The 130th King George’s Own Baluchis (Jacob’s Rifles) was stationed at Aurangabad when war was declared in August 1914. The Regiment had been inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir A. A. Barrett, Commanding 6th Poona Division on 21 March 1914 who reported:
A remarkably fine lot of men, smart and active and well trained. The Mahsud companies are very promising, and have so far harmonised well with the other classes. But I agree with the Officer Commanding that three companies of Mahsuds are too many. This matter will be represented in due course. The Battalion did very well at manoeuvres. Its general condition is highly satisfactory. It is fit for active service.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units for 1913-1914: IOR/L/MIL/7/17023
War Diaries:
- Date: 01 February 1915 – 28 February 1916
- 1 East African Infantry Brigade, East Africa
- Reference: WO 95/5345/15
- Notes: This is war diary has been digitized and is available to download from the National Archives’ website.
- Date: 01 March – 31 October 1916
- 1 East African Division
- Reference: WO 95/5339/7
- Notes: This is war diary has been digitized and is available to download from the National Archives’ website.
- Date: 01 November 1916 – 31 October 1917
- 1 East African Infantry Brigade, Norforce, Detached Forces, East Africa
- Reference: WO 95/5332/20
- Notes: This is war diary has been digitized and is available to download from the National Archives’ website.
- Date: 12 May 1918 – 31 March 1919
- 181 Infantry Brigade, 60 London Division
- Reference: WO 95/4672
- Notes: A poor war diary, with very little information regarding the unit’s activities. The most detailed entry concerns the Battle of Megiddo, which is short when compared to most other Indian units. After Armistice there are few entries. A list of British and Indian officers with the 130th Baluchis on 12 May 1918. There are a number of appendices in the form of operational orders and march tables.
- Date: 01 April 1919 – 31 December 1919
- 19 Infantry Brigade, 7 (Meerut) Division, Egyptian Expeditionary Force
- Reference: WO 95/4712
- Notes: A poor war diary with very brief entries typically giving a company’s location.
- Date: 01 February – 30 September 1921
- 8 Indian Infantry Brigade, Waziristan Force
- Reference: WO 95/5399
- Notes: An average war diary. There is a list of British and Indian officers who entrained with the 130th Baluchis at Nowshera on 05 February 1921. Also a good account of an attack on a patrol on 16 July 1921 at Saidgi.
Extracts from War Diaries
01 February – 30 September 1921, Waziristan Force, WO 95/5399
13 February 1921 – Regiment took over duties in Idak section from 3rd Battalion 152nd Punjabis occupying road towers 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, posts 3, 4, 6. Duties allotted as followers, road towers escorts and inlying picquet one company for 4 days. Perimeter, inner and outer line picquets and guards to one company relived daily. All duties to be detailed as far as possible by units.
March 1921 – Idak – During the month of March 1921 no events of any importance occurred. The regiment continued to supply the garrisons for Tochi Valley Road Towers No. 17 to 22 inclusive. Precautionary measures were ordered on 01 March 1921 and discontinued on 07 March 1921. Training was pushed on with special regard to all the phases of Mountain Warfare. B Company completed their annual musketry course on 24 March 1921. Course for 32 new Lewis gunners completed. Course for 8 Vickers gunners commenced. Course for 7 new signallers commenced.