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The unit landed in Bengal from England on 22nd
November 1856.1
It was in Meerut at the time of the rebellion in
1857. Lieutenant Colonel William Neville
Custance commanding the regiment was blamed
for indecisiveness by British Army historian Sir
J.W Fortescue in the following words:--
“Few incidents in the mutiny have been nore unsparingly
condemned than the apathy of the British garrison on the day
of the outbreak at Meerut, nor is it easy to find any excuse for
it.The authorities had received warning of its coming,
so,however they may have sneered at it before the event ,the
shock should not have found them wholly unpreprared.The
delay in moving upon the native lines is, and was at the time
,the circumstance most difficult to account for .Colonel
Custance of the carabineers had turned out his regiment
promptly and asked for orders.He could have trotted to the
scene of action in a few minutes;the horse artillery battery if
it had not accompanied him ,could have followed very
shortly.Their very appearance would have created panic and
confusion among the mutineers, and diverted them from any

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set purpose. The sixtieth would have joined them in half an
hour , and the united force dealing out unsparing punishment,
would have taught a salutary lesson to all mutineers.2
The regiment did not lose a single person during
the Meerut Rebellion as it took no part in any
action , its commanding officer being supremely
indecisive.
One of its soldiers Private Frdereicks Kingford
was killed in a clash with Bengal pioneers who
had rebelled at Meerut on 15/16 May 1857.3
This was the first fatal casualty of the regiment.4


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Half of the regiment led the advance of Meerut
Division towards Ghaziabad on 27th
May and
played decisive role in turning the rebel flank at
first battle of Ghaziabad on 30th
May 1857.


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The units fatal casualties were six , four being
killed in 30th
May 1857 battle and two being killed
in 31st
May 1857 battle.
The only officer casualty was Surgeon Stewart
Moore killed on 30th
May 1857.
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The action of 31st
May 1857 was mostly an
artillery battle.
the battlefield.


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The regiment (two squadrons or WING) was part
of Meerut Brigade in the advance of Delhi Field
Force towards Delhi in June 1857.
The unit was part of left wing of Companys attack
on the rebel position at battle of Badli Ki Serai
on 8th
June 1857.


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Most of the fighting in this battle was on the
right wing .Thus most of company’s casualties
were on right wing of attack.
The carabineers lost two other ranks killed at
this battle.5

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However a third man Private Stephen Taylor 6
died of wounds on the next day , 9th
June 1857.
HM 6th
Dragoons was deployed as map below
shows.
Tavender’s casualty roll lists two troopers
Robert Jarvis and Thomas Hartnett as killed at
Hindu Rao’s House on 17th
June 1857.7
There is no mention of any fatal casualty of HM
6th
Dragoons on 17th
June 1857 by Forrest , so
we are simply clueless , in face of limited
research material available to us in Pakistan.

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It saw its next major action on 19th
June 1857
when the Neemuch Brigade attacked the
company’s rear.


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Brigadier Hope Grant attacked the rebels along
with HM 9th
Lancers while a troop of HM 6th
Dragoons under Lieutenant Ellis 8
, was ordered
to attack along HM 9th
Lancers left flank.It
appears that this troop had near zero role in the
action of 19th
June 1857 , as HM 6th
Dragoon
Guards suffered nil casualties.
The rebels were found in position about half a
mile west of Ochterlony Gardens.9
The brunt of the attack was borne by HM 9th
Lancers whose gallant commanding officer
Colonel Yule was killed.HM 9th
Lancers lost 6
killed in the 19th
June action which included one
who died of wounds later.10
HM 6th
Dragoons emerged lightly from this action
and suffered no fatal casualty , 200 percent , as
the official return for the most decisive action of
19th
June 1857 , did not even mention the name
HM 6th
Dragoon Guards.11

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The regiment lost one trooper on 20th
June 1857
named John Croft.12
The casualty return of 19th
June 1857 lists no one from 6th
Dragoons as killed
wounded or missing Trooper John Croft is a
mystery for military historians who are not based
in Britain and do not have access to all relevant
historic sources ?
On 30th
June 1857 a troop 13
of the regiment was
employed to destroy rebel battery being
established at Eidgah , however no casualty was
reported in official returns.
On 4th
July 1857 , a squadron of the regiment was
part of a force sent north to Alipur under Major
Coke of Punjab Infantry against rebels who had
attacked an isolated company picquet at
Alipore.14
However there is no mention in any
official document about any laurel achieved by
HM 6th
Dragoon Guards in this mission.

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Private William best was killed on 8th
July 1857
as per Tavenders book.15
This scribe tried very hard to locate Private
William but was unable to find him in any action
in official records.
HM 6th
Dragoons was reported in a minor action
on 18th
July 1857 where it suffered two other
ranks and two horses wounded casualties as pers
Forrest’s records.16
Here we had some luck in finding from Tavenders
book that Private William Carr one of the two
wounded on 18th
July 1857 , died as a result of
wounds on 20th
July 1857.17
As far as I can assess Carr was wounded in the
action at Sabzi Mandi when a companys force
evicted the rebels who had occupied Sabzi Mandi
on 18th
July 1858.18
The next casualty of the regiment was Private
Henry Hall who died of wounds on 25th
August
1857. As per official records 6th
Dragoon Guards
as a unit or sub unit had nothing to do with Battle

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of Najafgarh , but Private Henry Hall as per
Tavenders book 19
as well as Forrest’s 20
records
was attached with one of the Horse Artillery
batteries.
On 24th
August a rebel force was reported moving
towards Najafgarh with a possible intention to
attack companys communication or siege train
coming from Ferozpur. Their exact intentions
were not clear as companys officer , Keith Young
honestly noted .21
A force was sent under Brigadier General
Nicholson to intercept this rebel force on
daybreak 25th
August 1857.This force comprised
following troops:-- 22
• One Squadron HM 9 lancers
• Horse Artillery Guns 23
= SIXTEEN GUNS ,
comprising 1/1 Bengal Horse Artillery
(Remington) complete 6 guns , four guns 2/1

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Bengal Horse Artillery (Wilson) , 2/3 Bengal
Horse Artillery (Blunt) complete 6 guns-
Whole Artillery under command of Major
Tombs.
• Guides Cavalry-120 Sabres.
• 2nd
Regiment Punjab Cavalry-80 Sabres.
• Wing HM 61st
Regiment- 420 men
• 1st
Bengal European Fusiliers-380 men.
• 1st
Regiment Punjab Infantry (Coke’s)-400
men.
• 2nd
Regiment Punjab Infantry – 400 men.
• Detachment sappers and mines-30 men.
• Mooltanee Horse-200
According to later Field Marshal Norman the
detailed composition of this force was 500
cavalry which included 100 Europeans and 1600
infantry which included 800 Europeans.24


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The rebel Neemuch Brigade who had information
about company’s intercepting force (Nicholson)
was deployed as below :--
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Neemuch brigade rebels deployed 9 of their 13
artillery guns on the right flank , in the belief that
Nicholson would turn left and attack them as soon
as he forded the nala.
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However Nicholson outwitted them and instead
moved south parallel to the rebel position rather
than walk into the murderous killing area of the
nine rebel guns. He tasked Blunt to pound the
nine rebel guns on his left and rebel right.
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These four guns silenced the 9 rebel guns on
Nicholsons left and rebel right , while Nicholson
did not bite the bait of walking into a rebel
artillery trap.
He deployed six more guns of Remington’s troop
apart from Blunts four guns to pound the rebels
central position at the serai on his left flank.
Nicholson deployed four guns (Wilson
commanding Tomb’s Troop) on his right flank and
attacked the Serai with 2nd
Punjab Infantry on left
,1st
Bengal European Fusilers in centre and wing
of HM 61 Foot on right.
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I was surprised that British artillery historians
simply hoodwinked and whitewashed the brilliant
handling of the company’s artillery in this battle !
The only reason that I could deduct was
“professional jealousy” . Colonel Tombs
commanding the company’s artillery in this battle
was an outstanding soldier , who had excelled at
the two battles of Ghaziabad as well as at Badli
as an artillery leader ! He had already won a VC
at Delhi and his role in the great cavalry action of
9th
June 1857 was crucial.
Dictionary of Indian Biography by Buckland
described the real artillery hero of this battle as
below:--
“BLUNT, CHARLES HARRIS (1824-1900) Major
General : entered the Army, 1842 : was in the
Bengal Horse Artillery : was in the Satlaj
campaign, 1846, at Sobraon : also in the Panjab
campaign : in the mutiny, raised  Blunt's
Horse, was at the siege of Delhi, battle of
Najafghar, action at Agra, (Lord Clyde's) rehef
of Lucknow, where he was the hero of a very
dashing performance with the guns at the
Sikandarbagh, at the action of Shamsabad, the
capture of the fort and town of Kalpi : Brevets of
Major and Colonel : C.B : Lord Roberts refers to
his splendid courage in leading his guns in the
advance on Lucknow : his troops suffered
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severely at Delhi and Agra, seldom, if ever, has
a battery and its commander had a grander
record to show  - died. Aug 15, 1900.” 25
Later Lord Roberts who was also from the
Artillery and won a VC in 1857-59 war described
Blunt as below:--26
“At the commencement of the Mutiny Blunt was
a subaltern, and in ten months he found himself
a Lieutenant-Colonel and a C. B. Quick and
great rewards indeed, but nothing more than he
richly deserved; for seldom, if ever, has a
battery and its commander had a grander
record to show.”
However sadly Robert’s also totally whitewashed
the role of Blunt at Najafgarh !
But we find Stubbs, Buckle and Gimlette simply
ignoring this great man. Blunt who apart from
Tombs played most crucial role in this battle was
also simply ignored.

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Forrest cannot be blamed as he was a civilian but
Kaye and Malleson also were guilty of ignoring
artillery in this most decisive battle of 1857
rebellion !
In this situation of ignoring great achievements
of leadership in deploying artillery” one British
author came to our rescue. This anonymous
officer who was a direct participant in siege of
Delhi thus preserved for us and thus stated:--
“They hadnine guns to the right front, which
now began to play. Their leaders no doubt
expected, that our troops would immediately
form and advance across the fire of their
artillery. Nicholson, however, having stationed
his guns on the road, which was pretty well
covered, marched the infantry past. He then
ordered four guns of Captain Blunt’s troop to
move on their nine to keep them in play, and,
covering his flanks with some cavalry and
artillery, led the infantry against the serai on the
left, near which were four guns.” 27
This crucial paragraph saved Blunt’s role for us
at Najafgarh, which the so called respectable

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artillery historians of British artillery TOTALLY
WHITEWASHED !
In a larger context the account reaffirms that
Tombs commanding artillery was one of
greatest artillery commanders of 1857-59
battles. I have left race , nationality and religion
in an interim connecting room when I entered
the chamber where I am writing this history , to
structure time of my retired life !
Another writer came to our rescue in
understanding where were Blunt’s two
remaining guns !
Cave Browne thus described:--
“The village of Nujuffghur, beyond the serai, on
our right, was consigned to Lumsden with Ids
Rifles (Coke’s); that on the left, which seemed
more strongly occupied, was made over to
Captain Blunt, with four guns and a small
detachment of cavalry, to watch till the infantry
should bo available for an attack. The reserve
was composed of Blunt’s two remaining guns
and tlie rest of the Mooltanees under Lieutenant
Lind”.28

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Nicholson’s force crossed the nala by 1700 hours
in the evening and Nicholson meanwhile already
across with HM 9 lancers squadron and Guides
carried out a quick appreciation and decided to
attack the serai which he assessed was the key
to the rebel position.
Nicholson’s plan was to deploy 10 horse artillery
guns on left flank , four on right flank and two
guns in reserve. 2nd
Punjab Infantry on left , 1st
European Fusiliers of the company in centre and
wing of HM 61 Foot on right. While 1st
Punjab
Infantry was to clear Najafgarh village on left
which was not occupied by rebels.
The baggage was left on northern bank of the
nala with an escort of squadron of 2nd
Punjab
Cavalry and 200 Multani Horse. 100 men from
each infantry battalion , which came to 400 and
two horse artillery guns were kept as reserve.
Nicholsons attack plan is depicted in map below:-
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The attack was astonishingly successful with
Nicholson leading from the front.
The brunt of the action was born by wing of HM
61st
Foot who lost six killed including one
officer.1st
Europeans lost only three killed and 2nd
Punjab Infantry had NIL killed !
HM 9 Lancers squadron on left suffered NIL
casualties .29
Guides on right flank lost only two
killed and the horse artillery lost two killed which
included one man from HM 6th
Dragoons who was
performing duty as a gunner.
The harsh reality of Najafgarh was that the real
hero of this battle was Tombs and Blunt who by
masterly planning as well as execution had
already neutralized the Neemuch Brigade ! Thus
the very low casualties suffered by the three
battalions attacking the Serai ! However as
happens in war , infantrymen take all the credit
while the really crucial artillery is ignored.Such
was the fate of Tombs and Blunt as far as the
battle of Najafgarh was concerned.

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1st
Punjab Infantry (Coke’s) successfully cleared
Najafgarh village without any opposition .
However Nicholson later ordered it to clear Nagli
village which it surrounded . Number of rebels
defending this village was few in number but they
became desperate being surrounded. Thus 1st
Punjab Infantry suffered considerable casualties
while occupying it which numbered twelve
including its gallant acting commanding officer
Lieutenant Lumsden.30

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Nicholson ordered 1st
Punjab Infantry to clear the
village Nagli where the rebels although few in
number offered desperate resistance as
surrounded thus 1st
Punjab Infantry suffered
highest losses in this action. i.e 12 killed including
Lieutenant Lumsden.
The reformed infantry now advanced towards the
bridge while the rebels brought guns on the east
bank of Najafgarh and engaged the companys
troops.Nicholson ordered Tombs to deploy on
west bank of the drain and silence these guns
which Tombs did most effectively.


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Nicholson estimated the rebels opposing him
between 3000 and 4000.31
Nicholson’s biographer stated that the rebels lost
all guns their only horse artillery battery i.e the
4/1 Horse Artillery battery .32
This was also
confirmed by Gimlette.33
Cave Browne noted that 7th
Gwalior Infantry was
also a part of the rebel force at Najafgarh.34
This
was because this battalion 35
had rebelled
alongwith the Neemuch Brigade and had all along
been with this brigade.

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According to a direct participant officer , Cokes
battalion was repulsed and the rebels holding
Nagli evacuated 36
the village at night and the
village was not overrun or captured at all.
This ends the relevant description of Najafgarh
Battle where one of this regiments trooper
serving with horse artillery died.
Assault on Delhi
General Hope Grant recollected that 60 men of
HM 9th
Lancers and 10 men of HM 6th
Dragoon
Guards under Lieutenants Blair and Evans of HM
9th
Lancers 37
were sent to assist the artillery
tasked with breaching Delhi’s walls, as the
artillery’s manpower had been severely reduced
due to casualties and disease.
Another direct participant stated that these men
above mentioned were volunteers specifically
requested from HM 6th
Dragoon Guards and HM
9th
Lancers.38
At the time of assault on Delhi the effective
strength of HM 6th
Dragoon Guards was down to

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123 men 39
and thus its role in the final assault
on Delhi was nominal.
It must be remembered that half of HM 6th
Dragoon Guards was at Meerut while only half of
the regiment had marched to Delhi in May-June
1857.
The first casualty of HM 6th
Dragoon Guards in
the assault on Delhi was one Captain Charles
Potts Rosser who was aide de camp with
Brigadier General Hope Grant commanding the
cavalry brigade.
The rebels had counterattacked the column
under Major Reid and Hope Grant was ordered
to counter attack the rebels . Rosser who had
purchased cornets commission in 6th
Dragoon
Guards on 8th
January 1841 40
was shot through
the head by a musket ball but miraculously
survived.
The attack is depicted on map below created
with immense efforts , since clear descriptions
about cavalrys actions were vaguely described
in various books.

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Brigadier Hope Grant thus described “Captain
Rosser,my acting aid-de-camp, was hurled
senseless to the ground by a shot which lodged
in his head ; eventually he partially recovered” ,
adding in a footnote that eventually Rosser died
of this injury in 1869.41
The only fatal casualty of HM 6th
Dragoon
Guards in the assault on Delhi on 14th
September 1857 was Corporal Michael Dale who
had volunteered to serve with heavy siege
batteries and was killed in action.42
The next fatal casualty of HM 6th
Dragoon
Guards was Captain Wheatcroft who was serving
with the “Military Train” at Lucknow and was
killed during second relief of Lucknow on 15th
November 1857.43
Gordon who was present
described Wheatcroft as a melancholy man who
was dining with HM 93rd
Highlanders and was
killed by a rebel artillery shell which was
unexpectedly accurate ! 44
Captain German Wheatcroft originally HM 6th
Inniskilling Dragoons and later HM 6th Dragoon
Guards , has no known grave,which means that

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the body was abandoned or not buried in haste.
Forrest produced Sir Colin Campbell’s despatch
which described Wheatcroft as a very
promising officer doing duty with HM 9th
Lancers
45
.
Hope Grant makes no mention of Wheatcroft in
his memoirs etc. Similarly, another officer who
wrote his memoirs of service with HM 9 Lancers
made no mention of Wheatcroft.

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Tavender places Wheatcroft as part of the
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Military Train 46
which was a sort of an
improvised cavalry unit.
Battle of Narnaul
The next major action of HM 6th
Dragoon Guards
was at battle of Narnaul where a squadron
participated as part of Brigadier General
Gerrards force against the Jodhpur Legion . The
Jodhpur Legion less Bheels had rebelled in
August 1857.After various affairs this legion
advanced towards Delhi in November 1857 and
captured Rewari as shown on map below.

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A force was assembled under Brigadier General
John Grant Gerrard originally 6th
Bengal Native
Infantry , later 1st
Bengal European Fusiliers and
later 14th
Bengal Native Infantry etc 47
comprising troops below:--48
• Squadron 6th
Dragoon Guards (Captain
George Wardlaw)49
.This squadron was at
Meerut and marched to join Gerrard after he
had left Delhi.50
• Cavalry ,Corps of Guides (Kennedy and
Sanford).
• Multani Horse (Lind)
• 1st
Bengal European Fusiliers (Captain
Caulfield)
• 7th
Punjab Infantry (Godby)
• 3/1 Bengal Horse Artillery Troop (Colin
Cookworthy)
• Heavy Battery 8 Inch Howitzers and 18
Pounders (Gillespie)
• A column of Hariana Field Force numbering
2,500 also joined Gerrard while he was on
the march under Captain W.F.J Stafford.51

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• The cavalry of Gerrards force was
commanded by Lieutenant G.G Pearse of
Madras Army who was part of Van Cortland’s
Hariana Field Force.
Gerrard marched from Delhi on 10th
November
and encountered the Jodhpur force who at
withdrawn from Rewari to Narnaul on 16th
November 1857.
Gerrard deployed his force which was
overwhelmingly superior to the Jodhpur rebels as
below:--
@:
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HM 6th
Dragoon Squadron which had joined
Gerrard marching from Meerut charged the
rebels under Captain Wardlaw a dashing
officer.The only fatal casualty of the squadron
was Private John Parker .52
In addition Private
Diamond Daniel was severely wounded and died

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of wounds received at Narnaul on 22nd
November 1857.53
The Engagement at Gungeree
The background of this most fateful and bloody
action of HM 6th
Dragoon Guards was as below.
On 4th
October 1857 following the British
company’s capture of Delhi the right wing of 1
Belooch Battalion , alongwith two horse artillery
guns and part of Pathan Horse under Major
Stokes occupied Bulandshahr 54
to secure the
northern part of Doab.

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According to gazeteer of Etah district , rebels
advanced from Patiali to Sahawar 55
.This led to
Colonel Farquhar commanding the Belooch
Regiments Wing at Bulandshahr to march to
Charra to contain this threat.56
During this period Colonel Seaton was tasked to
escort a huge grain convoy and was marching
towards Aligarh.
On receiving news of rebel movements Seaton
planned to move to and attack them from the
flank and asked Colonel Farquhar to move
towards Kasganj so as to divert their
attention.57

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Farquhar moved with his force to Gungeree.


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Seaton’s column comprised :--
• Squadron HM 6th
Dragoon Guards 58
and
and HM 9th
Lancers , total 140 .59
• Hodsons Horse , 550 men. 60
• Artillery 230 men comprising 3/3 Bengal
Horse Artillery under Lieutenant H.P
Bishop, 5/1 Bengal Horse Artillery
(Indian Troop) under Lieutenant E.C
Griffin.Heavy Field Battery Sikh
Company under Lieutenant A.Gillespie.61
The artillery comprised six 9 pounders ,
two 6 pounders,two 18 pounders , one 8
inch howitzer, and two 5.6 inch
mortars.62
• 1st
Bengal European Fusiliers- 376
strong.63
• 7th
Punjab Infantry -440 strong64
• Sappers -120 strong.
• Also joined on march by Wale’s Horse
and some Sikhs.65

?B
4;C4     2 ,$!,*')$042 #)'%(04 ''4;B?B
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4:;4  1    6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$
$$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC
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4:;4  1    6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$
$$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC
@?
4:;4  1    6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$
$$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC
@@
@@


@A
@A
@B
@B


@C
@C
A:
A:
Gazeteer of Etah is the only reasonable account
which stated that as soon as Lieutenant Colonel
Farquhar arrived at Gangiri he realised that the
rebels were about to attack him . He sent a
message to Colonel Seaton who changed his
plan and decided to march to Gangiri via Jalali.66

@@
4;;4 242-1 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4;C;;


A;
A;
A
A
Colonel Seaton arrived at Jalali on 13th
December 1857 and arrived at Gangiri early
morning 14th
December 1857.Seaton crossed
the Neem Nadi and camped about a mile east of
this river.67
Being a resolute leader he immediately sent
Hodson’s Horse further east to carry out
reconnaissance . Hodson very soon made
contact with rebels advancing in strength
towards Gangiri. He immediately returned and
informed Colonel Seaton who deployed his force
as depicted on map below:---

@A
4;4 242-1 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4;C;;


A=
A=
A
A
The most notable feature of this battle was the
charge by squadron of HM 6th
Dragoon Guards
on the three rebel guns deployed in the centre.
In desperation the rebels fired a round on the
charging squadron and killed three out of its five
officers.
HM 6th
Dragoon Guards squadron paid a heavy
price at Gangiri losing the following personnel: -
68
1. Captain George Wardlow
2. Lieutenant John Hudson
3. Lieutenant Sidney Vyse
4. Private Joseph Barrett
5. Private Robert Chapman
6. Private William Cossor
7. Private Allan Eastwood

@B
*4=1?4      4(!+2


A?
A?
A@
A@
A direct participant Major Hodson described the
HM 6 Dragoon Guards charge as below:---
Rohailkhand Campaign
The next major engagement of HM 6th
Dragoon
Guards was at Rohailkhand.Two squadrons of


AA
AA
HM 6th
Dragoon Guards were part of the Meerut
Column led by Major General Penny 69
, two
squadrons were part of Rurki Column led by
Brigadier Jones 70
and small detachment was
part of small force deployed at Manglaur.
The only major action of the unit was at Kakrala
where it charged rebels who had ambushed and
killed Major General Penny. Here on 30th
April
1858 the unit lost Private Bank who was killed in
action . Private Dunbar who was wounded here
died of wounds later on 15th
May 1858 at
Meerut.71
The regiment also participated in Lord Clyde’s
cold weather campaign in Oudh where it lost
two privates.
It also participated in final operations in central
India where it suffered nil casualties.
Surprisingly despite extensive combat the
regiment did not win any VC .
In casualties suffered the regiment was second
to HM 9th
Lancers.

@C
4=?B4          6=:4(!+2
A:
4=?B4          6=:4(!+2
A;
*4?4      4(!+2
AB
AB


AC
AC
Ser.No Rank Name Date of
death
Place and
cause of
death
Remarks
1 Private Frederick
Kingsford
16 May
1857
Meerut
2 Surgeon Stewart Moore 30 May
1857
Ghaziabad
3 Private Kelly Pearse 30 May
1857
Ghaziabad
4 Private Mason George 30 May
1857
Ghaziabad
5 Private Joseph Wilkins 30 May
1857
Ghaziabad
6 Troop
Sergeant
Major
Henry Still 31 May
1857
Ghaziabad
7 Corporal William Grandy 31 May
1857
Ghaziabad
Explosion
8 Farrier Richard Walton 31 May
1857
Ghaziabad
Explosion
9 Sergeant Stephen Taylor 9 June
1857 -Died
at Camp
Delhi
Wounded at
Badli
10 Private Samuel Hill 8 June
1857
Badli
11 Private Stephen Taylor 8 June
1857
Badli This could
be
duplication
on
Tavenders
part.Official
Records
stated that
the unit
lost two
killed at
Badli.72
12 Private Thomas Hartnett 17 June
1857
Hindu Raos
House
Not
reported in

A
4C4      
      26=:2:=2
 64(!+2
B:
B:
any major
account
13 Private Robert Jarvis 17 June
1857
Hindu Raos
House
Not
reported in
any major
account
14 Private John Croft 20 June
1857
Delhi
15 Private William Best 8 July 1857 Delhi
16 Private William Carr 20 July
1857
Delhi Wounded
18 July
1857
17 Private Henry Hall 25 August
1857
Delhi Deployed
with Horse
Artillery
18 Captain William Rosser 14
September
1857
Delhi Died of
wounds IN
1869
19 Corporal Michael Dale 14
September
1857
Delhi With heavy
batteries
20 Captain G Wheatcroft 15
November
1857
Lucknow With
military
train at
Lucknow
21 Private John Parker 16
November
1857
Narnaul
22 Private Diamond Daniel 22
November
1857
Delhi Wounded
at Narnaul
on 16
November
1857
23 Captain George Wardlow 14
December
1857
Gungeree
24 Lieutenant John Hudson 14
December
1857
Gungeree
25 Lieutenant Sidney Vyse 14
December
1857
Gungeree
26 Private Joseph Barrett 14
December
1857
Gungeree


B;
B;
27 Private Robert Chapman 14
December
1857
Gungeree
28 Private William Cossor 14
December
1857
Gungeree
29 Private Allan Eastwood 14
December
1857
Gungeree
30 Private George Bank 30 April
1858
Kukerowlee
31 Private William Dunbar 15 May
1858 at
Meerut
Wounded at
Kukerowlee
on 30 April
1858
32 Private Thomas Gamble 8
November
1858
Oudh
33 Private William
Woodington
18
November
1858
Oudh
Proof

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Battles of Najafgarh , Gangiri and Delhi Ridge

  • 1. ; ;
  • 2. $ !! %# $$#! • !$ • = =
  • 3. ? ?
  • 5. B B The unit landed in Bengal from England on 22nd November 1856.1 It was in Meerut at the time of the rebellion in 1857. Lieutenant Colonel William Neville Custance commanding the regiment was blamed for indecisiveness by British Army historian Sir J.W Fortescue in the following words:-- “Few incidents in the mutiny have been nore unsparingly condemned than the apathy of the British garrison on the day of the outbreak at Meerut, nor is it easy to find any excuse for it.The authorities had received warning of its coming, so,however they may have sneered at it before the event ,the shock should not have found them wholly unpreprared.The delay in moving upon the native lines is, and was at the time ,the circumstance most difficult to account for .Colonel Custance of the carabineers had turned out his regiment promptly and asked for orders.He could have trotted to the scene of action in a few minutes;the horse artillery battery if it had not accompanied him ,could have followed very shortly.Their very appearance would have created panic and confusion among the mutineers, and diverted them from any ; 4;4 6(!+ C C set purpose. The sixtieth would have joined them in half an hour , and the united force dealing out unsparing punishment, would have taught a salutary lesson to all mutineers.2 The regiment did not lose a single person during the Meerut Rebellion as it took no part in any action , its commanding officer being supremely indecisive. One of its soldiers Private Frdereicks Kingford was killed in a clash with Bengal pioneers who had rebelled at Meerut on 15/16 May 1857.3 This was the first fatal casualty of the regiment.4 4*4??=4 $+,(*.(!# *$,$+#*.2(%- 2 26=:7254 2 ')+*,4%!$$'%(0 !%!+4!+)+!3*+)+4 ''4;C=: = 4?@4 26=:2:=2 62$, .0(** +,2$%$,*. )*, ',* ++2%-,,26=8 4?4 4(!+2
  • 6. ;: ;: Half of the regiment led the advance of Meerut Division towards Ghaziabad on 27th May and played decisive role in turning the rebel flank at first battle of Ghaziabad on 30th May 1857. ;; ;; The units fatal casualties were six , four being killed in 30th May 1857 battle and two being killed in 31st May 1857 battle. The only officer casualty was Surgeon Stewart Moore killed on 30th May 1857.
  • 7. ; ; The action of 31st May 1857 was mostly an artillery battle. the battlefield. ;= ;=
  • 8. ; ; The regiment (two squadrons or WING) was part of Meerut Brigade in the advance of Delhi Field Force towards Delhi in June 1857. The unit was part of left wing of Companys attack on the rebel position at battle of Badli Ki Serai on 8th June 1857. ;? ;? Most of the fighting in this battle was on the right wing .Thus most of company’s casualties were on right wing of attack. The carabineers lost two other ranks killed at this battle.5 ? 4C4 26=:2:=2 62$, .0(** +,2$%$,*. )*, ',* ++2%-,,26=8
  • 9. ;@ ;@ However a third man Private Stephen Taylor 6 died of wounds on the next day , 9th June 1857. HM 6th Dragoons was deployed as map below shows. Tavender’s casualty roll lists two troopers Robert Jarvis and Thomas Hartnett as killed at Hindu Rao’s House on 17th June 1857.7 There is no mention of any fatal casualty of HM 6th Dragoons on 17th June 1857 by Forrest , so we are simply clueless , in face of limited research material available to us in Pakistan. @ 4?4 4(!+2 A 4?4 4(!+2 ;A ;A
  • 10. ;B ;B It saw its next major action on 19th June 1857 when the Neemuch Brigade attacked the company’s rear. ;C ;C
  • 11. : : Brigadier Hope Grant attacked the rebels along with HM 9th Lancers while a troop of HM 6th Dragoons under Lieutenant Ellis 8 , was ordered to attack along HM 9th Lancers left flank.It appears that this troop had near zero role in the action of 19th June 1857 , as HM 6th Dragoon Guards suffered nil casualties. The rebels were found in position about half a mile west of Ochterlony Gardens.9 The brunt of the attack was borne by HM 9th Lancers whose gallant commanding officer Colonel Yule was killed.HM 9th Lancers lost 6 killed in the 19th June action which included one who died of wounds later.10 HM 6th Dragoons emerged lightly from this action and suffered no fatal casualty , 200 percent , as the official return for the most decisive action of 19th June 1857 , did not even mention the name HM 6th Dragoon Guards.11 B 4=:=4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2 C 4B4 6=:2( !+2 ;: *4B1C;:4 4(!+2 ;; 4=:?4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2 ; ;
  • 12. The regiment lost one trooper on 20th June 1857 named John Croft.12 The casualty return of 19th June 1857 lists no one from 6th Dragoons as killed wounded or missing Trooper John Croft is a mystery for military historians who are not based in Britain and do not have access to all relevant historic sources ? On 30th June 1857 a troop 13 of the regiment was employed to destroy rebel battery being established at Eidgah , however no casualty was reported in official returns. On 4th July 1857 , a squadron of the regiment was part of a force sent north to Alipur under Major Coke of Punjab Infantry against rebels who had attacked an isolated company picquet at Alipore.14 However there is no mention in any official document about any laurel achieved by HM 6th Dragoon Guards in this mission. ; 44 4(!+2 ;= 4=;;4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2 ; 4=;=4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2 = =
  • 13. Private William best was killed on 8th July 1857 as per Tavenders book.15 This scribe tried very hard to locate Private William but was unable to find him in any action in official records. HM 6th Dragoons was reported in a minor action on 18th July 1857 where it suffered two other ranks and two horses wounded casualties as pers Forrest’s records.16 Here we had some luck in finding from Tavenders book that Private William Carr one of the two wounded on 18th July 1857 , died as a result of wounds on 20th July 1857.17 As far as I can assess Carr was wounded in the action at Sabzi Mandi when a companys force evicted the rebels who had occupied Sabzi Mandi on 18th July 1858.18 The next casualty of the regiment was Private Henry Hall who died of wounds on 25th August 1857. As per official records 6th Dragoon Guards as a unit or sub unit had nothing to do with Battle ;? 44 4(!+2 ;@ 4==@4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2 ;A 44 4(!+2 ;B 4C=4 6=:2( !+2 ? ? of Najafgarh , but Private Henry Hall as per Tavenders book 19 as well as Forrest’s 20 records was attached with one of the Horse Artillery batteries. On 24th August a rebel force was reported moving towards Najafgarh with a possible intention to attack companys communication or siege train coming from Ferozpur. Their exact intentions were not clear as companys officer , Keith Young honestly noted .21 A force was sent under Brigadier General Nicholson to intercept this rebel force on daybreak 25th August 1857.This force comprised following troops:-- 22 • One Squadron HM 9 lancers • Horse Artillery Guns 23 = SIXTEEN GUNS , comprising 1/1 Bengal Horse Artillery (Remington) complete 6 guns , four guns 2/1 ;C 444 4(!+2 : 4=@4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2'))*+'+!)%)#*'*,$+0)+,)+ +)).* ; 4=4 26=: / /00/ 2 / 5!+0 272 1 !%!+ ;C: 4=@:4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2 = 4CC4 6=:2( !+2
  • 14. @ @ Bengal Horse Artillery (Wilson) , 2/3 Bengal Horse Artillery (Blunt) complete 6 guns- Whole Artillery under command of Major Tombs. • Guides Cavalry-120 Sabres. • 2nd Regiment Punjab Cavalry-80 Sabres. • Wing HM 61st Regiment- 420 men • 1st Bengal European Fusiliers-380 men. • 1st Regiment Punjab Infantry (Coke’s)-400 men. • 2nd Regiment Punjab Infantry – 400 men. • Detachment sappers and mines-30 men. • Mooltanee Horse-200 According to later Field Marshal Norman the detailed composition of this force was 500 cavalry which included 100 Europeans and 1600 infantry which included 800 Europeans.24 4;=@4 4!)!$$!% ))4%!+ $)'%(04 ''4;C:B2 A A
  • 15. B B C C The rebel Neemuch Brigade who had information about company’s intercepting force (Nicholson) was deployed as below :--
  • 16. =: =: =; =; Neemuch brigade rebels deployed 9 of their 13 artillery guns on the right flank , in the belief that Nicholson would turn left and attack them as soon as he forded the nala.
  • 17. = = == == However Nicholson outwitted them and instead moved south parallel to the rebel position rather than walk into the murderous killing area of the nine rebel guns. He tasked Blunt to pound the nine rebel guns on his left and rebel right.
  • 18. = = =? =? These four guns silenced the 9 rebel guns on Nicholsons left and rebel right , while Nicholson did not bite the bait of walking into a rebel artillery trap. He deployed six more guns of Remington’s troop apart from Blunts four guns to pound the rebels central position at the serai on his left flank. Nicholson deployed four guns (Wilson commanding Tomb’s Troop) on his right flank and attacked the Serai with 2nd Punjab Infantry on left ,1st Bengal European Fusilers in centre and wing of HM 61 Foot on right.
  • 19. =@ =@ =A =A I was surprised that British artillery historians simply hoodwinked and whitewashed the brilliant handling of the company’s artillery in this battle ! The only reason that I could deduct was “professional jealousy” . Colonel Tombs commanding the company’s artillery in this battle was an outstanding soldier , who had excelled at the two battles of Ghaziabad as well as at Badli as an artillery leader ! He had already won a VC at Delhi and his role in the great cavalry action of 9th June 1857 was crucial. Dictionary of Indian Biography by Buckland described the real artillery hero of this battle as below:-- “BLUNT, CHARLES HARRIS (1824-1900) Major General : entered the Army, 1842 : was in the Bengal Horse Artillery : was in the Satlaj campaign, 1846, at Sobraon : also in the Panjab campaign : in the mutiny, raised Blunt's Horse, was at the siege of Delhi, battle of Najafghar, action at Agra, (Lord Clyde's) rehef of Lucknow, where he was the hero of a very dashing performance with the guns at the Sikandarbagh, at the action of Shamsabad, the capture of the fort and town of Kalpi : Brevets of Major and Colonel : C.B : Lord Roberts refers to his splendid courage in leading his guns in the advance on Lucknow : his troops suffered
  • 20. =B =B severely at Delhi and Agra, seldom, if ever, has a battery and its commander had a grander record to show - died. Aug 15, 1900.” 25 Later Lord Roberts who was also from the Artillery and won a VC in 1857-59 war described Blunt as below:--26 “At the commencement of the Mutiny Blunt was a subaltern, and in ten months he found himself a Lieutenant-Colonel and a C. B. Quick and great rewards indeed, but nothing more than he richly deserved; for seldom, if ever, has a battery and its commander had a grander record to show.” However sadly Robert’s also totally whitewashed the role of Blunt at Najafgarh ! But we find Stubbs, Buckle and Gimlette simply ignoring this great man. Blunt who apart from Tombs played most crucial role in this battle was also simply ignored. ? 4@4 422 4 7 '%(04;C:@4 44 1 1 1;C@B @ 4;B:4''+'+4 4!$)* $ ')')+*' )4%!$$ '%(0 ''4;C:: =C =C Forrest cannot be blamed as he was a civilian but Kaye and Malleson also were guilty of ignoring artillery in this most decisive battle of 1857 rebellion ! In this situation of ignoring great achievements of leadership in deploying artillery” one British author came to our rescue. This anonymous officer who was a direct participant in siege of Delhi thus preserved for us and thus stated:-- “They hadnine guns to the right front, which now began to play. Their leaders no doubt expected, that our troops would immediately form and advance across the fire of their artillery. Nicholson, however, having stationed his guns on the road, which was pretty well covered, marched the infantry past. He then ordered four guns of Captain Blunt’s troop to move on their nine to keep them in play, and, covering his flanks with some cavalry and artillery, led the infantry against the serai on the left, near which were four guns.” 27 This crucial paragraph saved Blunt’s role for us at Najafgarh, which the so called respectable A 4B4 4 '0%',*4% )$*$#4!,) 4;B@;
  • 21. : : artillery historians of British artillery TOTALLY WHITEWASHED ! In a larger context the account reaffirms that Tombs commanding artillery was one of greatest artillery commanders of 1857-59 battles. I have left race , nationality and religion in an interim connecting room when I entered the chamber where I am writing this history , to structure time of my retired life ! Another writer came to our rescue in understanding where were Blunt’s two remaining guns ! Cave Browne thus described:-- “The village of Nujuffghur, beyond the serai, on our right, was consigned to Lumsden with Ids Rifles (Coke’s); that on the left, which seemed more strongly occupied, was made over to Captain Blunt, with four guns and a small detachment of cavalry, to watch till the infantry should bo available for an attack. The reserve was composed of Blunt’s two remaining guns and tlie rest of the Mooltanees under Lieutenant Lind”.28 B *4;?;;?4 6=:2 2-) 2- )'.4!$$!%$#.'''*4 ''4;B@; ; ; Nicholson’s force crossed the nala by 1700 hours in the evening and Nicholson meanwhile already across with HM 9 lancers squadron and Guides carried out a quick appreciation and decided to attack the serai which he assessed was the key to the rebel position. Nicholson’s plan was to deploy 10 horse artillery guns on left flank , four on right flank and two guns in reserve. 2nd Punjab Infantry on left , 1st European Fusiliers of the company in centre and wing of HM 61 Foot on right. While 1st Punjab Infantry was to clear Najafgarh village on left which was not occupied by rebels. The baggage was left on northern bank of the nala with an escort of squadron of 2nd Punjab Cavalry and 200 Multani Horse. 100 men from each infantry battalion , which came to 400 and two horse artillery guns were kept as reserve. Nicholsons attack plan is depicted in map below:-
  • 22. = = The attack was astonishingly successful with Nicholson leading from the front. The brunt of the action was born by wing of HM 61st Foot who lost six killed including one officer.1st Europeans lost only three killed and 2nd Punjab Infantry had NIL killed ! HM 9 Lancers squadron on left suffered NIL casualties .29 Guides on right flank lost only two killed and the horse artillery lost two killed which included one man from HM 6th Dragoons who was performing duty as a gunner. The harsh reality of Najafgarh was that the real hero of this battle was Tombs and Blunt who by masterly planning as well as execution had already neutralized the Neemuch Brigade ! Thus the very low casualties suffered by the three battalions attacking the Serai ! However as happens in war , infantrymen take all the credit while the really crucial artillery is ignored.Such was the fate of Tombs and Blunt as far as the battle of Najafgarh was concerned. C 4=@4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2
  • 23. 1st Punjab Infantry (Coke’s) successfully cleared Najafgarh village without any opposition . However Nicholson later ordered it to clear Nagli village which it surrounded . Number of rebels defending this village was few in number but they became desperate being surrounded. Thus 1st Punjab Infantry suffered considerable casualties while occupying it which numbered twelve including its gallant acting commanding officer Lieutenant Lumsden.30 =: 4=@4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2 ? ?
  • 24. @ @ Nicholson ordered 1st Punjab Infantry to clear the village Nagli where the rebels although few in number offered desperate resistance as surrounded thus 1st Punjab Infantry suffered highest losses in this action. i.e 12 killed including Lieutenant Lumsden. The reformed infantry now advanced towards the bridge while the rebels brought guns on the east bank of Najafgarh and engaged the companys troops.Nicholson ordered Tombs to deploy on west bank of the drain and silence these guns which Tombs did most effectively. A A
  • 25. B B Nicholson estimated the rebels opposing him between 3000 and 4000.31 Nicholson’s biographer stated that the rebels lost all guns their only horse artillery battery i.e the 4/1 Horse Artillery battery .32 This was also confirmed by Gimlette.33 Cave Browne noted that 7th Gwalior Infantry was also a part of the rebel force at Najafgarh.34 This was because this battalion 35 had rebelled alongwith the Neemuch Brigade and had all along been with this brigade. =; 4@4 4(+! !'$ )'++)4 ' ,))04$)$ +)+4 ''4;BCA2 = 4@C4 4(+! !'$ )'++)4 ' ,))04$)$ +)+4 ''4;BCA2 == 4;4 4 !,++'$'$2 2 !%$++4 2!+ )04 ''4;CA = 4;?4 6=:2 2-) 2-)'.4 !$$!%$#.'''*4 ''4;B@; =? 4;4 4 !,++'$'$ 2 2!%$++4 2!+ )04 ''4;CA C C
  • 26. ?: ?: According to a direct participant officer , Cokes battalion was repulsed and the rebels holding Nagli evacuated 36 the village at night and the village was not overrun or captured at all. This ends the relevant description of Najafgarh Battle where one of this regiments trooper serving with horse artillery died. Assault on Delhi General Hope Grant recollected that 60 men of HM 9th Lancers and 10 men of HM 6th Dragoon Guards under Lieutenants Blair and Evans of HM 9th Lancers 37 were sent to assist the artillery tasked with breaching Delhi’s walls, as the artillery’s manpower had been severely reduced due to casualties and disease. Another direct participant stated that these men above mentioned were volunteers specifically requested from HM 6th Dragoon Guards and HM 9th Lancers.38 At the time of assault on Delhi the effective strength of HM 6th Dragoon Guards was down to =@ 4C4 4(!+2 =A 4;;B4 4(!+2 =B 4=A4 4(!+2 ?; ?; 123 men 39 and thus its role in the final assault on Delhi was nominal. It must be remembered that half of HM 6th Dragoon Guards was at Meerut while only half of the regiment had marched to Delhi in May-June 1857. The first casualty of HM 6th Dragoon Guards in the assault on Delhi was one Captain Charles Potts Rosser who was aide de camp with Brigadier General Hope Grant commanding the cavalry brigade. The rebels had counterattacked the column under Major Reid and Hope Grant was ordered to counter attack the rebels . Rosser who had purchased cornets commission in 6th Dragoon Guards on 8th January 1841 40 was shot through the head by a musket ball but miraculously survived. The attack is depicted on map below created with immense efforts , since clear descriptions about cavalrys actions were vaguely described in various books. =C 4=@4 4(!+2 : 4;=?4 /6=;64 !,++'$'$ 2 )+4 ' ,))05$%)$+)+5 ''4;B@;2
  • 27. ? ? ?= ?= Brigadier Hope Grant thus described “Captain Rosser,my acting aid-de-camp, was hurled senseless to the ground by a shot which lodged in his head ; eventually he partially recovered” , adding in a footnote that eventually Rosser died of this injury in 1869.41 The only fatal casualty of HM 6th Dragoon Guards in the assault on Delhi on 14th September 1857 was Corporal Michael Dale who had volunteered to serve with heavy siege batteries and was killed in action.42 The next fatal casualty of HM 6th Dragoon Guards was Captain Wheatcroft who was serving with the “Military Train” at Lucknow and was killed during second relief of Lucknow on 15th November 1857.43 Gordon who was present described Wheatcroft as a melancholy man who was dining with HM 93rd Highlanders and was killed by a rebel artillery shell which was unexpectedly accurate ! 44 Captain German Wheatcroft originally HM 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and later HM 6th Dragoon Guards , has no known grave,which means that ; 4;@4 4(!+2 44 4(!+2 = 4?B4 4 !,++'$'$2')'$/)4.) )'$4=A')+)+4 ''4;BCB2 4?C4 4(!+2
  • 28. ? ? the body was abandoned or not buried in haste. Forrest produced Sir Colin Campbell’s despatch which described Wheatcroft as a very promising officer doing duty with HM 9th Lancers 45 . Hope Grant makes no mention of Wheatcroft in his memoirs etc. Similarly, another officer who wrote his memoirs of service with HM 9 Lancers made no mention of Wheatcroft. ? 4=:4 4(!+2 ?? ?? Tavender places Wheatcroft as part of the
  • 29. ?@ ?@ Military Train 46 which was a sort of an improvised cavalry unit. Battle of Narnaul The next major action of HM 6th Dragoon Guards was at battle of Narnaul where a squadron participated as part of Brigadier General Gerrards force against the Jodhpur Legion . The Jodhpur Legion less Bheels had rebelled in August 1857.After various affairs this legion advanced towards Delhi in November 1857 and captured Rewari as shown on map below. @ 44 4(!+2 ?A ?A
  • 30. ?B ?B A force was assembled under Brigadier General John Grant Gerrard originally 6th Bengal Native Infantry , later 1st Bengal European Fusiliers and later 14th Bengal Native Infantry etc 47 comprising troops below:--48 • Squadron 6th Dragoon Guards (Captain George Wardlaw)49 .This squadron was at Meerut and marched to join Gerrard after he had left Delhi.50 • Cavalry ,Corps of Guides (Kennedy and Sanford). • Multani Horse (Lind) • 1st Bengal European Fusiliers (Captain Caulfield) • 7th Punjab Infantry (Godby) • 3/1 Bengal Horse Artillery Troop (Colin Cookworthy) • Heavy Battery 8 Inch Howitzers and 18 Pounders (Gillespie) • A column of Hariana Field Force numbering 2,500 also joined Gerrard while he was on the march under Captain W.F.J Stafford.51 A 4@;4 $+,(!,# (!!$ *+(!,# '%*.26:=26=892*, 4')22 '*'4'*+$ '%(0 !%!+4 ''4;CB B 4;4 6=:4(!+ C '))$. (,) *')+3*'%%!**!''?+ '-%);BA.*-)0)-* ! '!)24;=4 /6=:;4 !,++'$'$ 2 )+4 ' ,))05$%)$+)+5 ''4;B@;2 ?: 4;4 6=:4(!+2 ?; 4;4 6=:4(!+2 ?C ?C • The cavalry of Gerrards force was commanded by Lieutenant G.G Pearse of Madras Army who was part of Van Cortland’s Hariana Field Force. Gerrard marched from Delhi on 10th November and encountered the Jodhpur force who at withdrawn from Rewari to Narnaul on 16th November 1857. Gerrard deployed his force which was overwhelmingly superior to the Jodhpur rebels as below:--
  • 31. @: @: HM 6th Dragoon Squadron which had joined Gerrard marching from Meerut charged the rebels under Captain Wardlaw a dashing officer.The only fatal casualty of the squadron was Private John Parker .52 In addition Private Diamond Daniel was severely wounded and died ? 4?4 4(!+2 @; @; of wounds received at Narnaul on 22nd November 1857.53 The Engagement at Gungeree The background of this most fateful and bloody action of HM 6th Dragoon Guards was as below. On 4th October 1857 following the British company’s capture of Delhi the right wing of 1 Belooch Battalion , alongwith two horse artillery guns and part of Pathan Horse under Major Stokes occupied Bulandshahr 54 to secure the northern part of Doab. ?= 44 4(!+2 ? 4;@;4 24'%(!$!+0 2-!$$4 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4 ;C:=
  • 32. @ @ @= @= According to gazeteer of Etah district , rebels advanced from Patiali to Sahawar 55 .This led to Colonel Farquhar commanding the Belooch Regiments Wing at Bulandshahr to march to Charra to contain this threat.56 During this period Colonel Seaton was tasked to escort a huge grain convoy and was marching towards Aligarh. On receiving news of rebel movements Seaton planned to move to and attack them from the flank and asked Colonel Farquhar to move towards Kasganj so as to divert their attention.57 ?? 4;;4 242-1 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4;C;; ?@ 4;;4 242-1 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4;C;; ?A 4;;4 242-1 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4;C;;
  • 33. @ @ Farquhar moved with his force to Gungeree. @? @? Seaton’s column comprised :-- • Squadron HM 6th Dragoon Guards 58 and and HM 9th Lancers , total 140 .59 • Hodsons Horse , 550 men. 60 • Artillery 230 men comprising 3/3 Bengal Horse Artillery under Lieutenant H.P Bishop, 5/1 Bengal Horse Artillery (Indian Troop) under Lieutenant E.C Griffin.Heavy Field Battery Sikh Company under Lieutenant A.Gillespie.61 The artillery comprised six 9 pounders , two 6 pounders,two 18 pounders , one 8 inch howitzer, and two 5.6 inch mortars.62 • 1st Bengal European Fusiliers- 376 strong.63 • 7th Punjab Infantry -440 strong64 • Sappers -120 strong. • Also joined on march by Wale’s Horse and some Sikhs.65 ?B 4;C4 2 ,$!,*')$042 #)'%(04 ''4;B?B ?C 4:;4 1 6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$ $$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC @: 4:;4 1 6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$ $$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC @; 4?;4 6=:4(!+2 @ 4:;4 1 6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$ $$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC @= 4:;4 1 6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$ $$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC @ 4:;4 1 6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$ $$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC @? 4:;4 1 6=:2:=2 2 4'$'$ $$*'42 $$'%(04 ''4;BBC
  • 36. A: A: Gazeteer of Etah is the only reasonable account which stated that as soon as Lieutenant Colonel Farquhar arrived at Gangiri he realised that the rebels were about to attack him . He sent a message to Colonel Seaton who changed his plan and decided to march to Gangiri via Jalali.66 @@ 4;;4 242-1 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4;C;; A; A;
  • 37. A A Colonel Seaton arrived at Jalali on 13th December 1857 and arrived at Gangiri early morning 14th December 1857.Seaton crossed the Neem Nadi and camped about a mile east of this river.67 Being a resolute leader he immediately sent Hodson’s Horse further east to carry out reconnaissance . Hodson very soon made contact with rebels advancing in strength towards Gangiri. He immediately returned and informed Colonel Seaton who deployed his force as depicted on map below:--- @A 4;4 242-1 224'-)%+)**4$$ 4;C;; A= A=
  • 38. A A The most notable feature of this battle was the charge by squadron of HM 6th Dragoon Guards on the three rebel guns deployed in the centre. In desperation the rebels fired a round on the charging squadron and killed three out of its five officers. HM 6th Dragoon Guards squadron paid a heavy price at Gangiri losing the following personnel: - 68 1. Captain George Wardlow 2. Lieutenant John Hudson 3. Lieutenant Sidney Vyse 4. Private Joseph Barrett 5. Private Robert Chapman 6. Private William Cossor 7. Private Allan Eastwood @B *4=1?4 4(!+2 A? A?
  • 39. A@ A@ A direct participant Major Hodson described the HM 6 Dragoon Guards charge as below:--- Rohailkhand Campaign The next major engagement of HM 6th Dragoon Guards was at Rohailkhand.Two squadrons of AA AA HM 6th Dragoon Guards were part of the Meerut Column led by Major General Penny 69 , two squadrons were part of Rurki Column led by Brigadier Jones 70 and small detachment was part of small force deployed at Manglaur. The only major action of the unit was at Kakrala where it charged rebels who had ambushed and killed Major General Penny. Here on 30th April 1858 the unit lost Private Bank who was killed in action . Private Dunbar who was wounded here died of wounds later on 15th May 1858 at Meerut.71 The regiment also participated in Lord Clyde’s cold weather campaign in Oudh where it lost two privates. It also participated in final operations in central India where it suffered nil casualties. Surprisingly despite extensive combat the regiment did not win any VC . In casualties suffered the regiment was second to HM 9th Lancers. @C 4=?B4 6=:4(!+2 A: 4=?B4 6=:4(!+2 A; *4?4 4(!+2
  • 40. AB AB AC AC Ser.No Rank Name Date of death Place and cause of death Remarks 1 Private Frederick Kingsford 16 May 1857 Meerut 2 Surgeon Stewart Moore 30 May 1857 Ghaziabad 3 Private Kelly Pearse 30 May 1857 Ghaziabad 4 Private Mason George 30 May 1857 Ghaziabad 5 Private Joseph Wilkins 30 May 1857 Ghaziabad 6 Troop Sergeant Major Henry Still 31 May 1857 Ghaziabad 7 Corporal William Grandy 31 May 1857 Ghaziabad Explosion 8 Farrier Richard Walton 31 May 1857 Ghaziabad Explosion 9 Sergeant Stephen Taylor 9 June 1857 -Died at Camp Delhi Wounded at Badli 10 Private Samuel Hill 8 June 1857 Badli 11 Private Stephen Taylor 8 June 1857 Badli This could be duplication on Tavenders part.Official Records stated that the unit lost two killed at Badli.72 12 Private Thomas Hartnett 17 June 1857 Hindu Raos House Not reported in A 4C4 26=:2:=2 64(!+2
  • 41. B: B: any major account 13 Private Robert Jarvis 17 June 1857 Hindu Raos House Not reported in any major account 14 Private John Croft 20 June 1857 Delhi 15 Private William Best 8 July 1857 Delhi 16 Private William Carr 20 July 1857 Delhi Wounded 18 July 1857 17 Private Henry Hall 25 August 1857 Delhi Deployed with Horse Artillery 18 Captain William Rosser 14 September 1857 Delhi Died of wounds IN 1869 19 Corporal Michael Dale 14 September 1857 Delhi With heavy batteries 20 Captain G Wheatcroft 15 November 1857 Lucknow With military train at Lucknow 21 Private John Parker 16 November 1857 Narnaul 22 Private Diamond Daniel 22 November 1857 Delhi Wounded at Narnaul on 16 November 1857 23 Captain George Wardlow 14 December 1857 Gungeree 24 Lieutenant John Hudson 14 December 1857 Gungeree 25 Lieutenant Sidney Vyse 14 December 1857 Gungeree 26 Private Joseph Barrett 14 December 1857 Gungeree B; B; 27 Private Robert Chapman 14 December 1857 Gungeree 28 Private William Cossor 14 December 1857 Gungeree 29 Private Allan Eastwood 14 December 1857 Gungeree 30 Private George Bank 30 April 1858 Kukerowlee 31 Private William Dunbar 15 May 1858 at Meerut Wounded at Kukerowlee on 30 April 1858 32 Private Thomas Gamble 8 November 1858 Oudh 33 Private William Woodington 18 November 1858 Oudh
  • 42. Proof