This article will provide you with an overview of the history of the 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry during the First World War and help you research those who served with the Battalion. I have written a separate article on the 1st Battalion 109th Infantry and a series of guides to help you research those who served in the Indian Army during the war. These guides can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
The 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry in the First World War
Lineage: The 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry was formed at Kohat, North West Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) on 1 May 1918 and disbanded on 5 April 1920. For a history of the Regiment’s lineage see my page on the 1st Battalion 109th Infantry.
Class Composition of Battalion in 1919: 1 Company of Dekhani Mahrattas, 1 Company of Konkhani Mahrattas, 1 Company of Rajputana Muslims and 1 Company of Punjabi Muslims.
The 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry was a short-lived Indian infantry battalion formed at Kohat on 1 May 1918. The Battalion’s commanding officer was Acting Lieutenant-Colonel Clement Arthur Johnstone Smith who was appointed on 27 May 1918. The 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry was stationed at Poona from 23 October 1919 and was disbanded on 5 April 1920. The Battalion did not serve outside of India during its short existence and has left few records to consult.
The excerpt below was taken from the July 1918 Indian Army List and shows British officers serving with the 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry. The number of British officers who had either a temporary commission (T.C.) or were from the Indian Army Reserve of Officers (I.A.R.O.) is typical of a war-raised Indian infantry battalion. There is usually a wide variety of records to consult for these officers and I’d recommend starting with the Indian Army Lists.
War Diaries of the 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry
Unfortunately, there are no war diaries for the 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry.
Further Sources of Information for the 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry
For information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 2nd Battalion 109th Infantry, the Indian Army List should be consulted. There are no confidential reports for the Battalion.