The Sialkot Brigade (also referred to as Sialkote Brigade) was formed in April 1904[a] as a result of the Kitchener Reforms. The brigade formed part of the 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division.[2] By the outbreak of the First World War it was designated as Sialkot Cavalry Brigade.[3]
2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade
In September 1914, the brigade was mobilized as the 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade and assigned to the 1st Indian Cavalry Division.[4] 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.[5]
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.[5]
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 (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade in
1927.[8] By the outbreak of the Second World War it was resdesignated as Sialkot Brigade Area[9][b] and it was broken up again in January 1940.[8]
Orders of battle
In India in August 1914
At the outbreak of the First World War, the brigade had the following composition:[3][11]
Becke, Major A.F. (1936). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 2A. The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42-56). London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN1-871167-12-4.
Gaylor, John (1996). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903–1991 (2nd ed.). Tunbridge Wells: Parapress. ISBN1-898594-41-4.
Griffith, Paddy (1998). British Fighting Methods in the Great War. Routledge. ISBN978-071463495-1.