39th Garhwal Rifles

History

The first proposal to raise a separate Regiment of the Garhwali's was originated by HE Field Marshal The Hon’ble Sir FS Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, C-in-C, India in January 1886. In April 1887, orders were issued for raising of the 2nd Battalion of the Third (Kumaon) Gorkha Regiment to be composed of Garhwali's from Upper Garhwal. The initial class composition of the battalion was to consist of six companies of Garhwali's and two companies of Gorkhas. The nucleus with its British officers assembled under Lt Col EP Mainwaring of the Fourth Gorkhas at Almora in May 1887. The date of raising of the battalion was 5 May 1887. Later that year, the battalion marched to Kaludanda (Lansdowne), where it arrived on 4 November 1887. On 1 March 1901, the Second Battalion was raised at Lansdowne by Lt Col JHT Evatt, DSO and was designated as the 49th (The Garhwal Rifles) Regiment of the Bengal Infantry. In November 1901, both the battalions were redesignated as the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The 39th Garhwal Rifles.

Victoria Cross recipients

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Indian troops only became eligible for the award in 1911. Three members of the regiment won the award:

• Darwan Singh Negi was among the earliest Indian recipients of the Victoria Cross. A Naik in the 1st Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles during World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC, the citation was published in a supplement to The London Gazette of 4 December 1914 (dated 7 December 1914) and read: :His award was gazetted on the same date as that of Sepoy Khudadad Khan, but Negi is considered the first Indian VC winner.

• Gabar Singh Negi was a Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles, during World War I and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 10 March 1915 at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, France.

• William David Kenny was a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles during the Waziristan Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. The citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 7 September 1920 (dated 9 September 1920):

For over four hours this officer maintained his position, repulsing three determined attacks, being foremost in the hand-to-hand fighting which took place, and repeatedly engaging the enemy with bomb and bayonet. His gallant leadership undoubtedly saved the situation and kept intact the right flank, on which depended the success of the operation and the safety of the troops in rear.

In the subsequent withdrawal, recognising that a diversion was necessary to enable the withdrawal of the company, which was impeded by their wounded, with a handful of his men he turned back and counter-attacked the pursuing enemy, and, with the rest of his party, was killed fighting to the last.

This very gallant act of self-sacrifice not only enabled the wounded to be withdrawn, but also averted a situation which must have resulted in considerable loss of life.}}

Predecessor names

• 2nd Battalion, 3rd (Kamaon) Gurkha Regiment – 1887
• 39th (Garhwali) Bengal Infantry – 1890
• 39th (Garhwal Rifles) Bengal Infantry – 1892
• 39th Garhwal Rifles – 1903

References

Sources

• {{cite book |ref=

References

1. (2025-11-07). "Garhwal Rifles". Wikipedia.
2. Evatt, J.. "Historical Record of the Royal Garhwal Rifles Vol I, 1887–1922.". Gale and Polden.
3. {{London Gazette. (7 December 1914)
4. {{harvnb. Haythornthwaite. 1996
5. {{London Gazette. (27 April 1915)
6. {{London Gazette. (7 September 1920)