This article is on 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers during the First World War and help you research soldiers who served with the Regiment. I have also created other guides to researching the Indian Army and its soldiers which can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
The 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers in the First World War
Lineage: Raised by Captain J. I. Murray at Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh, India) as the Jat Horse Yeomanry in 1857. Then became Murray’s Jat Horse in 1859, then the 14th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry in 1861 and the 14th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry (Lancers) in 1864. Then the 14th Regiment of Bengal Lancers in 1874, the 14th Bengal Lancers (Murray’ Jat Horse) in 1901 and the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers in 1903. The Regiment was amalgamated with the 15th Lancers (Cureton’s Multanis) in 1921 to form the 14th/15th Lancers which was designated the 20th Lancers in 1922.
Composition in 1914: 4 Squadrons of Jats.
Location in July 1914: The 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers was stationed at Risalpur having arrived from Bannu on 25 November 1911.
The 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers was stationed at Risalpur when the First World War was declared in August 1914. The Regiment was inspected by Brigadier-General J. G. Turner, Commanding Risalpur (Cavalry) Brigade on 9 and 10 December 1913:
A regiment of big men mounted on powerful but not underbred Australians.
The men are fit and the horses are in good condition. All go through a severe course of training, and the impression they give is that they would go through any matter they attempted. They are led by officers of the same character.
Drill, manoeuvre, musketry, fire discipline and signalling are very satisfactory. The interior economy is satisfactory in every way. Fit for service.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units for 1913-1914: IOR/L/MIL/7/17023
War Diaries of the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers
There are two war diaries for the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers and both have been digitized by the National Archives. To download the war diaries for a small fee click on the blue links below. I have transcribed some entries at the bottom of the page.
- Date: July 1916 – December 1917
- 7th Indian Cavalry Brigade
- Reference: WO 95/5090/2
- Notes:
- Date: July 1916 – May 1921
- 7th Indian Cavalry Brigade
- Reference: WO 95/5090/3
- Notes:
Further Sources for the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers
A good source of information concerning the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers and the British officers who served with it are its confidential reports held at the British Library: Confidential Reports on Regiments etc. However, when the Regiment was abroad only its Depot and the British officers serving there were reported on. For information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers, the Indian Army List can be consulted.
Regimental History: There is no regimental history for the 14th Murray’s Jat Lancers.