This article is about the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry 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 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry in the First World War
Lineage: Raised at Sirur by Major P. Delamotte in 1820 as the 3rd Regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry and became the 3rd Regiment of Silladar Light Cavalry in 1861 before reverting to its previous title the same year. In 1876 became the 3rd (the Queen’s Own) Regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry, then the 3rd (Queen’s Own) Bombay Light Cavalry in 1901, the 33rd Queen’s Own Light Cavalry in 1903 and the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry in 1911.The Regiment was amalgamated with the 34th Prince Albert Victor’s Own Poona Horse in 1921 to become the 33rd/34th Cavalry and became the 17th Queen Victoria’s Own Poona Horse in 1922.
Composition in 1914: 1 Squadron of Jats, 1 of Sikhs, 1 of Kaimkhanis and 1 of Muslim Rajputs.
Location in July 1914: The 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry was stationed at Aurangabad (Maharashtra, India) having arrived from Secunderabad (Telangana, India) on 16 December 1912.
The 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry was stationed at Aurangabad when the First World War broke out in August 1914. The Regiment had been inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir A. A. Barrett, Commanding 6th (Poona) Division, on 16 March 1914 who reported:
The regiment has done very well during manoeuvres this season, men and horses being in good condition, and up to any amount of work. Tactical training is, on the whole, well up to the mark. The general state of efficiency is very creditable to Lieutenant-Colonel Browne and those serving under him. The regiment is quite fit for active service.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units for 1913-1914: IOR/L/MIL/7/17023
War Diary of the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry
There is only one war diary for the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry which has been digitized and can be downloaded for a small fee by clicking on the blue link below.
- Date: December 1914 – October 1916
- 6th Indian Cavalry Brigade
- Reference: WO 95/5087/4
- Notes:
Further Sources for the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry
A good source of information concerning the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry 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 33rd Cavalry was abroad only its Depot and the British officers serving with it were reported on. For information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry the Indian Army List can be consulted.
Regimental History: The Poona Horse, 17th Queen Victoria’s Own Cavalry. This book is in two volumes, both of which can be downloaded for free from the Digital Library of India.
With the 33rd “Q.V.O.” Light Cavalry in Mesopotamia by Captain E S J Anderson. This book contains edited letters by an officer of the Regiment who was killed in Mesopotamia during the First World War. Fortunately, this book has been reprinted as it was very difficult to obtain.
The Historical Records of the Services of the 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry by Albert Purcell Currie. This book covers the Regiment’s services just prior to the outbreak of the First World War.