This article looks at the short-lived 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers and will help you learn more about the Battalion and how to research those who served with it during the First World War. I have written a separate article for the 1st Battalion 48th Pioneers and a series of guides to help you to research those who served in the Indian Army during the war. To view the guides click on the links below:
The 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers in the First World War
Lineage: The 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers was formed at Arangaon (Maharashtra, India) on 26 July 1918 and was disbanded on 15 July 1920. For a history of the Regiment’s lineage see my page on the 1st Battalion 48th Pioneers.
Class Composition of Battalion in April 1919: 2 Companies of Jats, 1 Company of Lobana and Saini Sikhs and 1 Company of Heris.
The 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers was a short-lived Indian infantry battalion formed at Arangaon (Maharashtra, India) on 26 July 1918. The Battalion did not serve outside of India and was disbanded on 15 July 1920. The Battalion’s only commanding officer was Acting Lieutenant-Colonel George Hewett who was appointed from the 1st Battalion 48th Pioneers on 16 August 1918. There is a brief paragraph in History of the Bombay Pioneers
by Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. P. Tugwell which covers the Battalion:
The 2nd Bn. 48th Pioneers was formed at Arangaon on the 12th July, 1918, by Major G. Hewett, D.S.O., 48th Pioneers. Composition: Lobana and Saini Sikhs, Jats and Heris. This battalion was only just fit for service when the general demobilization commenced, and it had almost disappeared when orders were received to stand fast for the 3rd Afghan War. Its demobilization, however, had been carried out so promptly that it had gone too far for the battalion to be quickly reformed. Its disbandment, therefore, was completed.
Below is part of the January 1920 Indian Army List showing British officers serving with Battalion. The Indian Army List is an important source of information for the Battalion as there are few resources to consult.
War Diaries of the 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers
Unfortunately, there are no war diaries for the 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers.
Further Sources of Information for the 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers
There are very few sources of information for the Battalion. For British and Indian officers who served with the 2nd Battalion 48th Pioneers, the Indian Army List can be consulted.