43rd Indian Brigade

For the Second World War formations, see 21st Indian Infantry Brigade and 43rd Indian Infantry Brigade.

43rd Indian Brigade
Active31 March 1917 – 1923
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of16th Indian Division
ServiceFirst World War
Third Anglo-Afghan War

The 43rd Indian Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that formed part of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed in March 1917 as part of the 16th Indian Division for service on the North West Frontier. It remained in India throughout the First World War but saw active service in the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Post-war, it was designated as 21st Indian Infantry Brigade in September 1920 and took over responsibility for the Jubbulpore Brigade Area in 1923.

History

From March 1916, it was intended to form a reserve division for the North West Frontier, but the urgent need to find troops for Mesopotamia meant that the 16th Indian Division was not formed until December 1916.[1] In March 1917, 43rd Indian Brigade was formed in the new division.[2] The brigade remained on the North West Frontier throughout the First World War but was mobilized with 16th Indian Division to take part in the Third Anglo-Afghan War.[3]

In September 1920, the brigade was redesignated as 21st Indian Infantry Brigade – not to be confused with an identically designated but unrelated 21st Indian Infantry Brigade of the Second World War. In 1923, the brigade took over responsibility for the Jubbulpore Brigade Area.[4]

Orders of battle

Commanders

The 43rd Indian Brigade / 21st Indian Infantry Brigade had the following commanders:[4][2]

From Rank Name Notes
31 March 1917 Brigadier-General W.M. Southey
28 September 1918 Brigadier-General J.L.J. Clarke
October 1919 Brigadier-General G. Gwyn-Thomas
March 1921 Brigadier-General A.B. Tillard
June 1921 Brigadier-General W.J. Mitchell Jubbulpore Brigade Area in 1923

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e The 2/6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, the 1/9th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, the 1/25th Battalion, the London Regiment and the 1/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion were originally bicycle infantry. In November 1915 they were converted to infantry and formed a brigade, originally intended for service in East Africa. Instead, they sailed for India in February 1916.[6]
  2. ^ a b c d e The 1st Rifle Battalion, the Pasupati Prasad Battalion, the Sri Nath Battalion and the Mahindra Dal Battalion were units of the Nepalese Army.[7]

References

  1. ^ Perry 1993, p. 58
  2. ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 137
  3. ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 140
  4. ^ a b Mackie 2015, p. 379
  5. ^ Perry 1993, p. 138
  6. ^ James 1978, p. 79
  7. ^ Perry 1993, p. 179

Bibliography

  • Gaylor, John (1996). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903–1991 (2nd ed.). Tunbridge Wells: Parapress. ISBN 1-898594-41-4.
  • James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.
  • Mackie, Colin (June 2015). "Army Commands 1900-2011" (PDF). www.gulabin.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  • Perry, F.W. (1993). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-23-X.