This article is about the short-lived 2nd Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry and will help you research those who served with it during the First World War. I have written a separate article for the 1st Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry and a series of guides to help you research those who served in the Indian Army during the First World War. To view the guides click on the links below:
- 1st Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry
- Guides to Researching Soldiers who Served in the Indian Army
The 2nd Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry in the First World War
Lineage: The 2nd Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry was formed at Multan on 26 February 1918 and disbanded on 15 June 1921. For a history of the Regiment’s lineage see my page on the 1st Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry.
Class Composition of Battalion in 1919: 6 Platoons of Baluchis and Derewals, 4 Platoons of Pathans and 6 Platoons of Punjabi Muslims.
The 2nd Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry was a short-lived Indian infantry battalion formed at Multan (Punjab, Pakistan) on 26 February 1918. The Battalion’s first commanding officer was Acting Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Henry Kemble Chauncy who was appointed on 16 February 1918 from the 124th Baluchistan infantry.
The Battalion was mobilised at Multan for service with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force on 19 April 1918 and disembarked at Suez, Egypt on 29 May 1918. The Battalion served as part of the 179th Infantry Brigade, 60th London Division, Egyptian Expeditionary Force and there is a war diary covering its service between April 1918 and February 1919. The Battalion returned to India in 1919 and was stationed at Karachi in the January 1920 Indian Army List.
The Battalion served on the North West Frontier in 1920 and 1921 with the 21st Indian Infantry Brigade, Waziristan Force and there is a war diary available between August 1920 and March 1921. During this period the Battalion spent a lot of time at Ladha and Sorarogha. The Battalion arrived at Karachi on 27 March 1921 and was disbanded on 15 June 1921.
War Diaries of the 2nd Battalion 127th Baluchis
There are two war diaries for the 2nd Battalion 127th Baluchis and as of February 2017, neither has been digitized and they can only be viewed at the National Archives. I have copies of both war diaries and have transcribed some of the entries below.
- Date: 19 April 1918 – 28 February 1919
- 179th Infantry Brigade, 60th London Division, Egyptian Expeditionary Force
- Reference: WO 95/ 4668
- Notes: Mostly short entries though there is a five-page account of a raid on the night 12/13 August 1918. There is a list of British officers serving with the 2nd Battalion 127th Baluch Light Infantry with British and Indian officers are mentioned throughout.
- Date: 01 August 1920 – 27 March 1921
- 21st Indian Infantry Brigade, Waziristan Force
- Reference: WO 95/ 5401
- Notes: Not the most detailed war diary though there is an entry for every day. British officers serving with the Battalion are listed at the beginning of each month. There is a four-page account of the action on 14 January 1921.
Further Sources for the 2nd Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry
For information concerning the 2nd Battalion 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry the Indian Army List can be consulted. There are two confidential reports at the British Library but these are only for the Battalion’s Depot and the British officers serving with it:
- Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1918-1919: IOR/L/MIL/7/17030
- Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1919-1920: IOR/L/MIL/7/17031
Extracts from War Diaries of the 2nd Battalion 127th Baluchis
19 April 1918 – 28 February 1919, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, WO 95/ 4668
18 May 1918 – 16.00 hours – Sailed for Egyptian Expeditionary Force on “City of Sparta”. British officers 12, Indian Officers 6, Other Ranks 769.
31 July 1918 – 20.00 – A patrol of 1 Indian officer (Jemadar Ibrahim) and 10 other ranks was sent out on night 31 July – 01 August 1918. Enemy patrol consisting of about 20 rifles was met and engaged. There were no casualties patrol returned 01.45 hours.
01 August 1920 – 31 March 1921, Waziristan Force, WO 95/ 5401
25 August 1920 – Ladha – Holiday in celebration of Bakhr Id.
06 October 1920 – Sararogha- Three platoons A Company protected the road as far as Gurkha perimeter to enable the 2nd Battalion 61st Pioneers to work on the road.
07 October 1920 – Sararogha – A Company protected the road to Ahnai Tangi. Captain Acheson in command of 40 men proceeded to Garhwali picquet, covered the withdrawal of the garrison and demolished the sangar.
05 November 1920 – Sararogha – The Battalion was engaged in repitching tents, issuing and fitting of winter clothing.
6 November 1920 – Sararogha – Lt Col C.H.K. Chauncy rejoined from 5 months leave ex. India (having reported his arrival to Wazirforce HQs on 28.10.20) and assumed command of the Battalion.
His Highness The Khan of Kalat has been pleased to bestow on Subadar Major Mir Kambir Khan 2nd Battalion 127th Baluch Light Infantry for his lifetime, a cash allowance of Rupees 600/- per annum on his retirement. The grant will be payable out of the Kalat State Funds and will be subject to the condition of loyalty and good service to the State.
11 November 1920 – Sararogha – To commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice the C-in-C ordered the following procedure which was carried out. “At 11.00 hours exactly all guards will turn out and present arms, and all troops in camp and on road protection will stand to attention for two minutes”.
22 December 1920 – Sararogha – Major A.G. White proceeded on 10 days leave. Two companies protected the road to Signal Hill. Four or five enemy shots were fired from the right bank of the Sarwek Nullah on the road protection troops with no result.