This article is about the 21st (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Cavalry (Daly’s Horse) in the First World War and will 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 21st (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Cavalry (Daly’s Horse)
Lineage: Raised by Lieutenant H. Daly at Peshawar (Khyber-
Composition in 1914: 1 1/2 Squadrons of Sikhs, 1/2 of Dogras, 1 of Hindustani Musalmans and 1 of Pathans.
Location in July 1914: The 21st (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Cavalry (Daly’s Horse) was stationed at Jhelum (Punjab, Pakistan) having arrived from Risalpur Cavalry Cantonment (Khyber-
The 21st (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Cavalry (Daly’s Horse) was stationed at Jhelum when the First World War broke out in August 1914. The Regiment had been inspected by Brigadier-General H. P. Leader, Commanding Sialkot Brigade on 16 February 1914:
The regiment is particularly good in the field. The men are of a fine stamp and very intelligent. Particularly well officered and ably commanded. Fit for active service.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units for 1913-1914: IOR/L/MIL/7/17023
War Diaries of the 21st (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Cavalry
There are three war diaries for the 21st Cavalry but only the first has been digitized. To download this war diary for a small fee click on the first blue link below. The other two war diaries can only be viewed at the National Archives. I have transcribed some war diary entries at the bottom of the page.
- Date: September 1916 – January 1919
- 6th Indian Cavalry Brigade
- Reference: WO 95/5087/1
- Notes:
- Date: May – September 1919
- 10th Cavalry Brigade, North West Frontier Force
- Reference: WO 95/5391
- Notes:
- Date: August – September 1920
- Force Troops, Waziristan Force
- Reference: WO 95/5398
- Notes:
Further Sources for the 21st Cavalry (Daly’s Horse)
A very good source of information concerning the 21st (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Cavalry (Daly’s Horse) and the British officers who served with it are its confidential reports held at the British Library: Confidential Reports on Regiments etc. Unfortunately, when the Regiment was abroad only its Depot and the British officers serving with it were reported on. For information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 21st (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Cavalry (Daly’s Horse), the Indian Army List can be consulted.