30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse)

This article is about the 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse) in the First World War and will help you research soldiers who served with the Regiment. I have also created other guides to researching the Indian Army and its soldiers which can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

The 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse) in the First World War

Lineage: Raised by Sir John Gordon, Bart, as the 4th Regiment of Nizam’s Cavalry in 1826 and became the 4th Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent in 1854. Then the 4th Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent in 1890 and the 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse) in 1903. The Regiment was amalgamated with the 26th King George’s Own Light Cavalry to form the 26th/30th King George’s Own Light Cavalry in 1921 which became the 8th King George’s Own Light Cavalry in 1922.

Composition in 1914: 2 Squadrons of Sikhs, 1 of Jats and 1 of Hindustani Muslims. 

Location in July 1914: The 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse) was stationed at Ambala (Haryana, India) having arrived from Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh, India) on 2 January 1912.

The 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse) was stationed at Ambala when the First World War broke out in August 1914. The Regiment was inspected by Major-General Henry Buckley Burton Watkis, Commanding 3rd (Lahore) Division:

A thoroughly efficient regiment all round whose condition is creditable in the highest degree to Colonel Fasken. It has made a great advance in range practices and the field practices are equally satisfactory.

Confidential review reports on Indian Army units for 1913-1914IOR/L/MIL/7/17023

War Diaries of the 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse)

There are two war diaries for the 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse) and the first has been digitized by the National Archives. To download this war diary for a small fee click on the first blue link below. The war diary covering the Third Anglo-Afghan War can only be viewed at the National Archives.

  • Date: 31 August 1914 – May 1916
  • 2nd Indian Cavalry Division, Ambala Cavalry Brigade
  • Reference: WO 95/1185/5
  • Notes:
  • Date: March – August 1919
  • 10th Cavalry Brigade, North West Frontier Force
  • Reference: WO 95/5391
  • Notes:

Further Sources for the 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse)

A good source of information concerning the 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse) and the British officers who served with it are its confidential reports held at the British Library: Confidential Reports on Regiments etc. However, when the 30th Lancers was abroad only its Depot and the British officers who served with it are reported on. For information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 30th Lancers (Gordon’s Horse), the Indian Army List can be consulted.

Regimental History: The History of 8th King George V’s Own Light Cavalry by H. G. Rawlinson. I haven’t seen a copy which also includes the 26th King George’s Own Light Cavalry.

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