This article is about the 4th Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry and will help you to research the Battalion and those who served with it during the First World War. I have written separate articles about the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions and a series of guides to help you to research soldiers who served in the Indian Army during World War One. To view the articles click on the blue links below:
- 1st Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry
- 2nd Battalion, 9th Delhi Regiment
- 3rd Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry
- Guides to Researching Soldiers who Served in the Indian Army
The 4th Battalion 9th Bhopal Infantry in the First World War
Lineage: The 4th Battalion 9th Bhopal Infantry was formed at Jhansi on 16 February 1918 and disbanded on 20 March 1921. For a history of the Regiment’s lineage see my page on the 1st Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry.
Class Composition of Battalion in 1919: 1 Company of Lodhas, 1 Company of Gaur Brahmans, 1 Company of Hindustani Muslims and 1 Company of Rajputs.
The 4th Battalion 9th Bhopal Infantry was a war-raised battalion formed at Jhansi on 16 February 1918 was disbanded in March 1921.The 4th Battalion was the last of three battalions raised by the 9th Bhopal Infantry during the war. The Battalion saw no active service and therefore left few records. The Battalion had a poor reputation due to the quality of its British and Indian officers and the transcripts below are from the Battalion’s confidential report for 1918-1919:
By the end of 1918, the Battalion was “chiefly composed of Gaur Brahmans 215 in excess and Lodhis and Dangis 42 in excess. Rajputs (156) and Hindustani Musalmans (102) being below their complement”.
Discipline – Last year there were numerous desertions among the Lodhis and Dangis, the case was dealt with at the time by the Division. Desertions are now normal otherwise discipline of the battalion is good…
The want of discipline among the young officers of this unit has been the subject of an enquiry by the Divisional Commander. The young officers concerned have either been demobilised or are awaiting early demobilisation. A report has already been made on the subject.
I am of opinion that the turn out of this Regiment requires careful attention on the part of all officers, and also the matter of guard duties which are not well known.
Brigadier-General A. B. H. Drew, In charge Administration, 5th (Mhow) Division.
Inspected 25th July 1918. Lieutenant-Colonel Rennick absent sick. Major Cole acting for him. A good lot of young British Officers. Three Indian Officers badly set up and by no means an example of smartness to their men. About 25 per cent. of the men were of a weedy nature and the carriage of the Non-Commissioned Officers and men generally not as smart as it should be. Elementary musketry moderate but standard tests want more practice. Drill was only moderate and movements somewhat aimless. More practice in moving on points and forming on a definite alignment wanted.
Lieutenant-General Charles Alexander Anderson
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units, depots, British officers, etc. for 1918-1919 IOR/L/MIL/7/17030
The extract below was taken from the July 1918 Indian Army List and recorded the British officers serving with the 4th Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry. The Indian Army List is a great resource to use for research both British and Indian officers of the Indian Army as well as Indian units.
War Diaries of the 4th Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry
Unfortunately, there are no war diaries for the 4th Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry.
Further Sources for the 4th Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry.
There are few sources available for this Battalion. The Indian Army List will provide information regarding the Battalion’s British and Indian officers. The Confidential Report for the Battalion quoted above is held at the British Library, catalogue reference IOR/L/MIL/7/17030. This report also contains the annual reports of the British officers serving with it.