This article is about the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force) 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 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force)
Lineage: Raised by Lieutenant S. J. Browne as the 2nd Regiment of Punjab Cavalry in 1849 and became the 2nd Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Irregular Force in 1851. Then the 2nd Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Frontier Force in 1865, the 2nd Punjab Cavalry in 1901, the 22nd Cavalry (Frontier Force) in 1903 and the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force) in 1904. The Regiment was amalgamated with the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) to form the 22nd/25th Cavalry in 1921 which became the 12th Cavalry (Frontier Force) in 1922.
Composition in 1914: 1 1/2 Squadrons of Sikhs, 1/2 of Hindustani Hindus, 1 of Punjabi Musalmans, 1/2 of Pathans, 1/2 of Hindustani Musalmans.
Location in July 1914: The 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry was stationed at Jacobabad (Sindh, Pakistan) having arrived from Sialkot (Punjab, Pakistan) on 15 February 1913. The Regiment has one Squadron at Karachi (Sindh, Pakistan).
The 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry was stationed at Jacobabad when the First World War broke out in August 1914. The Regiment was inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir M. H. S. Grover, Commanding 4th (Quetta) Division:
General efficiency: Very satisfactorily. In all respects fit for service. The 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry is in a very efficient state.
Drill: Very good, paces even and movements quiet.
Musketry: Very satisfactory, showing marked improvement, and the same remark applies to signalling so far as qualification is concerned and to equitation.
The Regiment is well commanded and officered: particularly well mounted: well turned out and smart. In all respects fit for service.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units for 1913-1914: IOR/L/MIL/7/17023
War Diaries of the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force)
There are two war diaries for the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force) and both have been digitized by the National Archives. To download each war diary for a small fee click on the blue links below. I have transcribed some entries at the bottom of the page.
- Date: September 1916 – August 1918
- 6th Indian Cavalry Brigade
- Reference: WO 95/5087/2
- Notes:
- Date: September 1918 – April 1920
- General Headquarters, Army Troops
- Reference: WO 95/4994/5
- Notes:
Further Sources for the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force)
A very good source of information concerning the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force) 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 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force), the Indian Army List can be consulted.
Regimental History: No conventional regimental history was produced for the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force).