3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade


The 4th Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry brigade of the British Indian Army that formed part of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed as 14th Cavalry Brigade in November 1914 to replace the original Meerut Cavalry Brigade that had been mobilized as the 7th Cavalry Brigade for service on the Western Front. It remained in India throughout the war, before taking part in the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919.
The brigade continued to exist between the wars and by September 1939 it was designated 3rd Cavalry Brigade. It briefly served as part of the Indian Army during the Second World War before being broken up in February 1940.

History

First World War

At the outbreak of the First World War, the Meerut Cavalry Brigade was part of the 7th Division. It was mobilized in August 1914 as the 7th Cavalry Brigade, assigned to the newly formed 2nd Indian Cavalry Division and sailed from Bombay on 19 October for the Western Front. Likewise, the 7th Division was transferred to France in August 1914.
The 7th Meerut Divisional Area was formed in September 1914 to take over the area responsibilities of the 7th Division and on 21 November 1914 a new 14th Cavalry Brigade was formed in 7th Meerut Divisional Area to replace the original brigade. It was renumbered as the 4th Cavalry Brigade in February 1915. The brigade served with the division in India throughout the First World War.

Between the world wars

In May 1919, the brigade was mobilized to take part in the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
The brigade continued to exist between the world wars. In September 1920 it was redesignated as the 3rd Indian Cavalry Brigade and later in the decade it became the 3rd Cavalry Brigade.

Second World War

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the brigade was under the command of Meerut District. The brigade was broken up in February 1940. Its Headquarters and some units formed the nucleus of The Armoured Brigade.

Orders of battle

Commanders

The 14th Cavalry Brigade / 4th Cavalry Brigade / 3rd Indian Cavalry Brigade / 3rd Cavalry Brigade had the following commanders:
FromRankNameNotes
21 November 1914Brigadier-GeneralH.L. Roberts
18 June 1915ColonelR.C. Stephen
29 March 1916Brigadier-GeneralH.L. Roberts
April 1916Lieutenant-ColonelC.E.G. Norton
July 1916Brigadier-GeneralH.L. Roberts
May 1920Major-GeneralC.L. Gregory
March 1924Brigadier-GeneralH.A. Tomkinson
August 1927BrigadierE.D. Giles
July 1929BrigadierC.B. Dashwood Strettell
April 1932BrigadierE.M. Dorman
April 1936BrigadierJ.N. Lumley
August 1939BrigadierJ.A. AizlewoodBroken up in February 1940

A note on numbering

The brigade carried several numbers during its existence. This can be a cause for confusion as other, unrelated, Indian cavalry brigades carried the same numbers at different times: