39th Garhwal Rifles
The 39th Garhwal Rifles was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army.
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 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, 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 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 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 and read:
- 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 :
Predecessor names
- 2nd Battalion, 3rd Gurkha Regiment – 1887
- 39th Bengal Infantry – 1890
- 39th Bengal Infantry – 1892
- 39th Garhwal Rifles – 1903