2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade


The Sialkot Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry brigade of the British Indian Army formed in 1904 as a result of the Kitchener Reforms. It was mobilized as 2nd Cavalry Brigade at the outbreak of the First World War as part of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division and departed for France. It served on the Western Front with the division until it was broken up in March 1918.
The brigade was reformed in June 1920 and broken up in January 1940.

History

The Kitchener Reforms, carried out during Lord Kitchener's tenure as Commander-in-Chief, India, completed the unification of the three former Presidency armies, the Punjab Frontier Force, the Hyderabad Contingent and other local forces into one Indian Army. Kitchener identified the Indian Army's main task as the defence of the North-West Frontier against foreign aggression with internal security relegated to a secondary role. The Army was organized into divisions and brigades that would act as field formations but also included internal security troops.
The Sialkot Brigade was formed in April 1904 as a result of the Kitchener Reforms. The brigade formed part of the 2nd Division. By the outbreak of the First World War it was designated as Sialkot Cavalry Brigade.
;2nd Cavalry Brigade
In September 1914, the brigade was mobilized as the 2nd Cavalry Brigade and assigned to the 1st Indian Cavalry Division. With the division, it departed Bombay on 16 October 1914 and landed at Marseilles on 7 November. However, the brigade did not reach the Front until 8–10 December due to horse sickness. While in France, the brigade was known by its geographical rather than numerical designation so as to avoid confusion with the British 2nd Cavalry Brigade also serving on the Western Front at the same time.
Other than the Battle of Cambrai when it helped to hold the German counter-attack, it was not involved in battle. Instead, it was held in reserve in case of a breakthrough, although it did send parties to the trenches on a number of occasions. They would hold the line, or act as Pioneers; such parties were designated as the Sialkot Battalion.
;Dissolved
In March 1918, the brigade was broken up in France. The British units remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt. On 24 April 1918, these were merged with the 22nd Mounted Brigade of the Yeomanry Mounted Division. On 22 July 1918 the 22nd Mounted Brigade was redesignated as 12th Cavalry Brigade and the division as 4th Cavalry Division.
;Reformed
The Sialkot Cavalry Brigade was reformed in June 1920. In September 1920 it was designated as the 2nd Indian Cavalry Brigade and renamed as 2nd Cavalry Brigade in
1927. By the outbreak of the Second World War it was resdesignated as Sialkot Brigade Area and it was broken up again in January 1940.

Orders of battle

Western Front
The brigade's composition on the Western Front included:

Commanders

The Sialkot Cavalry Brigade / 2nd Cavalry Brigade had the following commanders:
FromRankNameNotes
12 April 1904Brigadier-GeneralB.T. Mahon
April 1908Major-GeneralA. Phayre
1 June 1911Brigadier-GeneralH.P. Leader
6 January 1916Brigadier-GeneralL.L. MaxwellBroken up in March 1918
June 1920Brigadier-GeneralC.H. RankinBrigade reformed
June 1924Brigadier-GeneralC.R. Harbord
June 1928BrigadierC.R. Terrot
June 1932BrigadierT.A.A. Wilson
August 1934BrigadierF. Gwatkin
August 1938BrigadierT.W. CorbettBroken up in January 1940