2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) | |
---|---|
Active | 1809 - present |
Country | India |
Allegiance |
British India India |
Branch |
British Indian Army Indian Army |
Type | Armoured Regiment |
Size | Regiment |
Part of | Indian Armoured Corps |
Nickname(s) | Gardner's Horse |
Motto(s) | Sher Tayar Hai |
Engagements |
Nepal War World War I Battle of the Somme Battle of Bazentin Battle of Flers–Courcelette Hindenburg Line Battle of Cambrai Occupation of the Jordan Valley Battle of Megiddo Capture of Afulah and Beisan World War II Battle of Gazala |
Commanders | |
chief | Major General Anil Prakash Der |
Colonel of the Regiment |
Colonel Sarit Prakash |
The 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) is one of the oldest and most highly decorated armoured regiments of the Indian Army. It was originally raised in 1809. It served in the Nepal and First World War. During the reconstruction of the British Indian Army in 1922 it was amalgamated with the 4th Cavalry
The regiment was raised in 1809 by William Linnæus Gardner who had previously served with the 74th Highlanders; it first saw service in the Nepal War of 1815. It is the most decorated regiment of the Indian Army. Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) underwent many name changes in various reorganisations. (They are listed below):
The regiment was sent to France in World War I as part of the 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Indian Cavalry Division. It was brigaded with the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons and the 38th King George's Own Central India Horse Once in France its personnel were called upon to serve in the trenches as infantry. The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on performance. British officers who understood the language, customs and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers. During their time on the Western Front the regiment was involved in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Bazentin, Battle of Flers–Courcelette, the Advance to the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of Cambrai.