This article is about the 2nd Battalion 8th Rajputs and will help you to research the Battalion and the soldiers who served with it during the First World War. I have written a separate article for the 1st Battalion 8th Rajputs and a series of guides to help you to research soldiers who served in the Indian Army during the First World War.
- 1st Battalion 8th Rajputs
- Researching Soldiers who Served in the Indian Army during the First World War
The 2nd Battalion 8th Rajputs in the First World War
Lineage: The 2nd Battalion 8th Rajputs was formed at Lucknow on 19 March 1918 and disbanded in 1919. For a history of the Regiment’s lineage see my page on the 1st Battalion, 8th Rajputs.
Class Composition of Battalion in 1919: 4 Companies of Rajputs.
The 2nd Battalion 8th Rajputs was a war-raised battalion formed at Lucknow on the 19 March 1918 and disbanded a year later. The Battalion served with the 8th (Lucknow) Division which remained in India for the duration of the First World War. As it saw no active service, there are few records relating to its activities. The Battalion was commanded through its short existence by Acting Lieutenant-Colonel Anson Hugh McCleverty appointed from the 13th Rajputs. Like many war-raised Indian battalions, it drew the majority of its British officers from the Indian Army Reserve of Officers (I.A.R.O.) and officers holding Temporary Commissions (T.C.). The extract below was taken from the July 1918 Indian Army List and recorded the British officers serving with the Battalion.
The raising of the Battalion owed much to the efforts of Lieutenant-Colonel McCleverty, who was singled out for praise in the only confidential report for the unit. McCleverty had joined the Indian Army in October 1899, and was described by his Brigade Commander as, “An exceptionally good Commanding Officer, very keen and untiring in his work; possesses judgement and tact”. I have transcribed part of the Battalion’s confidential report below:
General Remarks. – Great attention has been paid to training and the results have been satisfactory. The battalion is under orders to demobilize down to 200 ranks (Indian) and is now very nearly down to that number. Much credit is due to Colonel McCleverty who has looked after the training and interior economy of the battalion and is now carrying out the work of demobilizing.
Brigadier General A.G. Pritchard
General Observations by Major-General Sir A. B. Scott Commanding 8th (Lucknow) Division – A satisfactory report. Good work was done by Lieutenant-Colonel McCleverty in raising this battalion.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1919-1920. Catalogue Reference: IOR/L/MIL/7/17031.
War Diaries of the 2nd Battalion 8th Rajputs
Unfortunately, there are no war diaries for the 2nd Battalion 8th Rajputs.
Further Sources for the 2nd Battalion 8th Rajputs
The Indian Army List will provide information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the Battalion. The confidential report quoted from above is held at the British library: Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1919-1920. Catalogue Reference: IOR/L/MIL/7/17031. This report also contains the annual report of the British officers serving with the Battalion.