This article on the 2nd Battalion 150th Infantry aims to help you research this war-raised Battalion and those served with it. I have written separate articles for the other two Battalions of the Regiment and guides to help you research soldiers who served in the Indian Army:
The 2nd Battalion 150th Indian Infantry
Lineage: Formed at Basra on 20 May 1918 and disbanded on 15 June 1921.
Class Composition of Battalion in 1919: 2 Companies of Jats, 1 Company of Rajputs and 1 Company of Gujars.
The 2nd Battalion150th Indian Infantry was one of 18 new Indian infantry battalions created following the reorganisation of British forces in the Middle East in 1918. This was in response to German Spring Offensive as the Indian Army tried to replace British battalions being withdrawn to France.
The Battalion was created at Basra, Mesopotamia (Iraq) in May 1918 from drafts from other Indian infantry regiments. Unfortunately, there is no war diary for this period and the Battalion is very difficult to research. The Battalion did not stay in Mesopotamia for long and likely returned to India by the end of 1918. The 2nd Battalion was stationed at Rawalpindi and in 1920 served as part of the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade, Waziristan Force. The Battalion was disbanded on 15 June 1921.
War Diary of the 2nd Battalion 150th Indian Infantry
There is only one war diary for the Battalion which hasn’t been digitized and can only be viewed at the National Archives. I have transcribed some of the entries from the war diary below.
- Date: 02 August 1920 – 21 March 1921
- 9th Indian Infantry Brigade, Waziristan Force
- Reference: WO 95/5400
- Notes: The only war diary for the 2nd Battalion 150th Indian Infantry is not as detailed when compared to similar units serving as part of Waziristan Force. The majority of days do not have an entry.
Further Sources for the 2nd Battalion 150th Indian Infantry
For information regarding British and Indian officers who served with the 2nd Battalion 150th Indian Infantry, the Indian Army List should be consulted. There are two confidential reports for the Battalion for 1918-19 and a depot report for 1919-20. These reports also contain the reports of the British officers who were serving with the Battalion for 1918-19 and the depot for 1919-20:
- 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
There was no regimental history produced for the 150th Indian Infantry.
Extracts from War Diaries
02 August 1920 – 21 March 1921, Waziristan Force, WO 95/5400
August 1920 – Throughout the month piqueting was carried out up and downstream from Piaza Raghza. As many men as possible were sent on leave keeping the strength to 550 Indian other ranks.
27 October 1920 Piaza Raghza – After destroying St. Marks and F Camp Piquet Regiment marched to Ladha arriving at 15.30 hours.
28 October 1920 – Ladha – Moved from temporary camp occupied on night of 27/28 and took over lines vacated by 121st Pioneers.
04 December 1920 – Ladha – Two men of A Company killed by enemy while taking up a day group position in Forest Hill Piquet.
24 December 1920 – Ladha – Regiment secured route to Gully Piquet. As one of A Company’s Piquets was retiring it was suddenly fired into by a party of the enemy. No. 5207 Sepoy Jawala Singh was wounded but under cover of covering fire was got safely away. The enemy also fired on the rear guard but there were no further casualties.
27 December 1920 – Ladha – Regiment secured the route to Gully Piquet. As one of A Company’s piquets was retiring from Breeks Piquet position the enemy fired into it, the piquet commander being killed almost at once and other men being hit shortly afterwards. Reinforcements were sent up to assist in getting away wounded and the Wishbone position occupied to give further support. The enemy did not attack but continued to slightly snipe. Total casualties 3 killed and one wounded.
06 February 1921 – Ladha – Three men of B Company killed in action while on duty as covering party to water mules for Potwela Picquet.
20 March 1921 – Mari Indus – 18.00 hours – Regiment departed Mari Indus by train.
21 March 1921 – 06.00 hours – Regiment arrived Chaklala.