This article looks at the short-lived 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry. I have also created a series of guides to help you research those who served in the Indian Army during the First World War:
The 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry in the First World War
Lineage: The 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry was formed at Patiala on 2 July 1918 in what was then the capital of the self-governing Patiala State. This was one of the princely states of India. The Regiment was disbanded between April and July 1919.
Class Composition of Battalion in 1919: 8 Platoons of Rajputs, 2 Platoons of Brahmins, 2 Platoons of Ahirs, 2 Platoons of Chota Nagpurians and 2 Platoons of Punjabi Muslims.
The 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry was a short-lived Indian infantry regiment formed at Patiala on 2 July 1918. Patiala is over 150 miles north of Delhi. Despite its title, no second battalion of the 140th Patiala Infantry was raised. The Regiment was formed of 1,541 recruits from the Indian Princely State of Patiala and served in the Ambala Brigade. The Maharajah of Patiala, Major-General His Highness Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh was appointed as Honorary Colonel of the Regiment. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was an enthusiastic supporter of the war effort and thousands of soldiers from the Patiala State served abroad during the war, including the Patiala Lancers.
The Regiment’s first commanding officer was Acting Lieutenant-Colonel George Dudley Ruadh MacMahon who was appointed from the 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry on 28 June 1918, just prior to its formal raising date. The excerpt below is taken from the April 1919 Indian Army List which records the British officers who were serving with the Regiment. The large number of recently commissioned officers who joined from the Indian Army Reserve of Officers (IARO) is typical of a war-raised Indian unit. In March 1919, the Battalion was stationed at Patiala and was recorded as still being “under formation”. The Regiment did not serve overseas and had been disbanded by August 1919.
War Diaries for the 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry
Unfortunately, there are no war diaries for the 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry.
Further Sources for the 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry
There are few sources available for the Regiment due to its short existence. For information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 1st Battalion 140th Patiala Infantry, the Indian Army List should be consulted.