This article is about the short-lived 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis and will help you to research the Battalion and those who served with it during the First World War. I have written separate articles for the 1st, 2nd and 4th Battalions 30th Punjabis and a series of guides to help you to research soldiers who served in the Indian Army. To view the guides, click on the links below:
- 1st Battalion 30th Punjabis
- 2nd Battalion 30th Punjabis
- 4th Battalion 30th Punjabis
- Researching Soldiers who Served in the Indian Army
The 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis in the First World War
Lineage: The 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis was formed at Phillaur (Punjab, India) on 22nd June 1918 and was disbanded in 1919. For a history of the Regiment’s lineage see my page on the 1st Battalion 30th Punjabis.
Class Composition of Battalion in April 1919: 2 Companies of Punjabi Muslims, 1 Company Punjabi Hindus, 1/2 Company of Garhwalis, 1/4 a Company of Dogras and a 1/4 Company of Sikhs.
The 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis was a short-lived, war-raised Indian infantry battalion formed at Phillaur (Punjab, India) on 22nd June 1918. The 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis is a very difficult regiment to research as it was disbanded in 1919 and left few records. Below is a list of British officers serving with the Battalion from the April 1919 Indian Army List. None of the British officers were commissioned in the Indian Army prior to the outbreak of war and the majority are drawn from the Indian Army Reserve of Officers (IARO). It is unusual for a war raised-battalion not to contain any pre-war British officers. The Battalion was commanded by Acting Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Charles Isemonger who was appointed to the Battalion on 25 June 1918. Frederick Isemonger served with the Indian Police and later became the Inspector-General of Police North West Frontier Province. It is very probable that the other British officers serving with the Battalion were also drawn from the Indian Police as well as the rank and file.
War Diaries for the 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis
Unfortunately, there are no war diaries for the 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis.
Further Sources for the 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis
There are very few sources of information for this Battalion. The Indian Army List will provide information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 3rd Battalion 30th Punjabis. There are no confidential reports available for the Battalion.