4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade

For a similarly designated Indian cavalry brigade in the First World War, see 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade.
Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade
5th Indian Cavalry Brigade
4th Indian Cavalry Brigade
4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade
Active 3 February 1915 – July 1940
Country  British India
Allegiance British Crown
Branch  British Indian Army
Type Cavalry
Size Brigade
Part of 9th (Secunderabad) Division
Poona District
Deccan District
Garrison/HQ Secunderabad
Bolarum
Service First World War
Second World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Br.-Gen. W.G.K. Green
Brig. A.F. Hartley
Brig. A.G.O. Mosley Mayne

The 4th (Secunderabad) 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 Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade in February 1915 to replace the original brigade that had been mobilized as the 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade for service on the Western Front. It remained in India throughout the war.

The brigade continued to exist between the wars and by September 1939 it was designated 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade. It briefly served as part of the Indian Army during the Second World War before being broken up in July 1940.

History

First World War

At the outbreak of the First World War, the Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade was part of the 9th (Secunderabad) Division. It was mobilized in August 1914 as the 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade with the first elements of Indian Expeditionary Force A. It departed for the Western Front, arriving in France on 12 October 1914. It was attached to the newly formed 1st Indian Cavalry Division before joining the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division on 23 December 1914.[1]

On 3 February 1915[lower-alpha 1] a new Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade was formed in 9th (Secunderabed) Division to replace the original brigade and to take over its area responsibilities. The brigade served with the division in India throughout the First World War.[2] The brigade remained unnumbered throughout the First World War, the only unnumbered Indian cavalry brigade.[3][lower-alpha 2]

Between the world wars

The brigade continued to exist between the world wars. In September 1920 it was redesignated as the 5th Indian Cavalry Brigade and in 1923 as 4th Indian Cavalry Brigade. Later in the decade it regained its geographical designation as 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade. From 1920 it was under the command of the Poona District and from 1927 under the Deccan District.[5]

Second World War

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the brigade was still under the command of Deccan District. It was broken up in July 1940 with some of its units moving to the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade[6] which was forming at Sialkot at this time.[7]

Orders of battle

First World War units

The Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade commanded the following units in the First World War:[8]

Second World War units

The 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade commanded the following units in the Second World War:[6][9]

Commanders

The Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade / 5th Indian Cavalry Brigade / 4th Indian Cavalry Brigade / 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade had the following commanders:[5]

From Rank Name Notes
3 February 1915 Brigadier-General H. Kennedy Appointment vacated 20 February 1915[2]
14 April 1915 Brigadier-General F.H.B. Commerline
April 1920 Brigadier-General A.G. Pritchard
January 1921 Brigadier-General C.A.C. Godwin
December 1923 Brigadier-General W.G.K. Green
April 1925 Brigadier-General G.A.H. Beatty
October 1925 Brigadier-General E.D. Giles
August 1927 Brigadier-General H.A. Tomkinson
December 1927 Brigadier A. Campbell-Ross
January 1932 Brigadier A.F. Hartley
September 1933 Brigadier D.K. McLeod
December 1934 Brigadier G. de la P. Beresford
September 1938 Brigadier A.G.O. Mosley Mayne
September 1939 Commander unknown[6]

A note on name and number

The brigade carried several designations during its existence. This can be a cause for confusion as other Indian cavalry brigades carried the same or similar designations at different times, and even at the same time.

See also

Notes

  1. The first commanding officer was appointed on 3 February 1915.[2]
  2. In contrast, the brigade formed to replace the 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade in similar circumstance  14th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade  was numbered.[4]

References

Bibliography

External links

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