This article is about the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) 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 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) in the First World War
Lineage: Raised at Mooltan (Multan, Punjab, Pakistan) by Captain R. Fitzgerald, Bombay Army as the 5th Regiment of Punjab Cavalry. In 1851 became the 5th Regiment of Cavalry Punjab Irregular Force, then the 5th Regiment of Cavalry Punjab Frontier Force in 1865, then the 5th Punjab Cavalry in 1901 and the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) in 1903. The Regiment was amalgamated with the 22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry (Frontier Force) to form the 22nd/25th Cavalry in 1921 which became the 12th Cavalry (Frontier Force) in 1922.
Composition in 1914: 1 Squadron of Sikhs, 1 of Dogras, 1 of Punjabi Musulmans, 1/2 of Hindustani Musalmans and 1/2 of Pathans.
Location in July 1914: The 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) was stationed at Bannu (Khyber-
The 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) as stationed at Bannu when the First World War broke out in August 1914. The 25th Cavalry was inspected by Brigadier-General J. G. Turner, Commanding Risalpur (Cavalry) Brigade on 21 February 1914 who reported:
General efficiency: The regiment has been well commanded and a great improvement has taken place in all departments since it came to Bannu, reflecting credit on all concerned. A well mounted hard riding, go-ahead lot. Thoroughly fit for active service.
Confidential review reports on Indian Army units for 1913-1914: IOR/L/MIL/7/17023
War Diaries of the 23rd Cavalry (Frontier Force)
There are three war diaries for the 23rd Cavalry (Frontier Force) and the first two have been digtized. To download these war diaries for a small fee, click on the first two links below. The other war diary can only be viewed at the National Archives.
- Date: July – September 1917
- General Headquarters, East Africa
- Reference: WO 95/5314/1
- Notes:
- Date: October 1917 – January 1918
- Hanforce, East Africa
- Reference: WO 95/5321/1
- Notes:
- Date: May – September 1919
- Baluchistan Force, Force Troops
- Reference: WO 95/5395
- Notes:
Further Sources for the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force)
A good source of information concerning the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) 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 Regiment was abroad only its Depot and the British officers serving with it are reported on. For information regarding the British and Indian officers who served with the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force), the Indian Army List can be consulted.
Regimental History: There is no regimental history for the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force).