This article on the war-raised 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) will help you research the Battalion and those who served with it during the First World War. I have written a separate article for the 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) and a series of guides to help you find out even more about researching someone who served in the Indian Army. The links below will take you to the guides:
The 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) in the First World War
Lineage: The 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs Frontier Force was formed at Jullundur on 5 June 1917 and disbanded on 17 October 1921. For a history of the Regiment’s lineage see my page on the 1st Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force).
Class Composition of Battalion in 1919: 1 1/2 Companies of Sikhs, 1/2 a Company of Kumaonis, 1/2 a Company of Yusuzais, 1/4 of a Company of Punjabi Muslims and 1 Company of Chhachi Pathans.
The 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) was a short-lived Indian infantry regiment which was formed at Jullundur (Jalandhar, Punjab, India) on 5 June 1917. The Battalion’s only commanding officer was Acting Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Stewart Floyd Routh who was appointed from the 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force) on 15 July 1917. Like other war-raised Indian infantry units, the Battalion’s British officers were typically either Indian Army Officers on probation (on probn.) or from the Indian Army Reserve of Officers (I.A.R.O.). Below is an excerpt from the July 1918 Indian Army List which shows the British officers serving with the Battalion.
The 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs was inspected by Brigadier-General Evelyn Chiappini Peebles, Commanding 45th Infantry Brigade on 15 February 1918:
This battalion, being a newly raised one, consists very largely of recruits. Training in drill is well carried on. Musketry is being carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the battalion is well forward in this respect. Signallers are being trained and show good promise.
General remarks: This new battalion is being trained on very good lines, and result is satisfactory. Officers are well up to their work. Every effort is made for the comfort of the men, who are willing and cheerful.
Lieutenant-Colonel Routh runs the battalion on very good lines, and the unit should shortly be equal to other Regular units of the Indian Army. The battalion is not at present fit for service.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1917-1918: IOR/L/MIL/7/17029
The Battalion received another good confidential report when it was inspected in December 1918 and January 1919 for 1918-1919. During this inspection, the Battalion was reported as being ready for field service. The 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) was mobilized at Rawalpindi on 6 May 1919 on the outbreak of the Third Anglo-Afghan War. During the war, the Battalion served with the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Indian Division which was part of the North West Frontier Force. The Battalion spent most of the war at Landi Kotal (Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan) and there is a war diary covering the Battalion’s service between May and August 1919. I have transcribed extracts from this war diary below.
After the end of the war, the Battalion continued to serve on the North West Frontier and its Depot was based at Rawalpindi (Punjab, Pakistan). In the July 1921 Indian Army List, the 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) was at Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) and the Battalion was disbanded on 17 October 1921.
War Diary of the 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force)
There is only a single war diary for the Battalion which has not been digitized and can only be viewed at the National Archives. I have a copy of the war diary and have transcribed some of the entries below.
- Date: 06 May 1919 – 31 August 1919
- 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Indian Division, North West Frontier Force
- Reference: WO 95/5409
- Notes: A good, detailed diary between May and June and a poor diary with few entries between July and August. British and Indian officers and Indian other ranks (with service numbers) appear throughout. There is a list of British and Indian officers who left Rawalpindi for Peshawar with the 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs on 09 May 1919.
Further Sources for the 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force)
For information concerning the British and Indian officers who served with the 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force), the Indian Army List should be consulted. There are two confidential reports for the Battalion held at the British Library: Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1917-1918: IOR/L/MIL/7/17029 and Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1918-1919: IOR/L/MIL/7/17030. These reports also contain the annual reports of the British officers serving with the Battalion.
Extracts from War Diary of the 2nd Battalion 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force)
06 May 1919 – 31 August 1919, North West Frontier Force, WO 95/5409
06 May 1919 – Rawalpindi – 04.00 hours – On account of threatening attitude of Amir of Afghanistan the regiment is ordered to mobilize at 04.00 hours on 6 May 1919 for service on the frontier.
10 May 1919 – Peshawar – 13.30 hours – The regiment arrived at Peshawar Cantonment Railway Station at 13.30 hours on 10 May 1919 and marched to and encamped on the Race Course.
11 – 15 May 1919 – Peshawar – No orders received – nothing to report.
16 May 1919 – Peshawar – Orders received to proceed with 4 Brigade to Jamrud at 06.00 hours on 17 May 1919. All transport despatched by road at 24.00 hours on 16-17 May 1919 to Jamrud. Regiment bivouacked on polo ground for the night.
19 May 1919 – Ali Masjid – No. 2130 Sepoy Sher Mohd. reported missing on 17 instant returned to camp. States he was captured by tribesmen whilst retiring with picquets on 17 instant, and that they took his rifle and equipment away from him, and that he afterwards escaped his captors.
24 May 1919 – Landi Kotal – The Government water bottle and pakhal appear to be very unserviceable. Already after only about two weeks of service, 6 pakhals and 20% of water bottles are leaking. This entails a large demand on the ordnance at the very commencement of the campaign.
23 June 1919 – Landi Kotal – The undermentioned left Landi Kotal today to proceed to England to take part in the Peace Celebrations. Subadar-Major Kehar Singh. Havildar-Major Jhundi Khan.