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39th Garhwal Rifles, British Indian Army



9th Nov 1914 Trench Raid by 39th Garhwal Rifles  A silent trench raid was undertaken in the front line in the sector of Givinchy to Fromelles, by the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 39th Garhwal Rifles, this was possibly the first trench raid of the war. Fifty men from each battalion were led by Major G H Taylor 2nd Btn. The objective was to destroy a German trench which was very close to the British line and considered a threat. The 2nd Btn took six prisoners and captured the trench, which was strongly built and deeper than expected. The 1st Btn came under heavy fire and suffered casualties with six were killed and seven wounded. The 2nd Btn suffered four casualties and suceeded in bringing their prisoners back, but were unable to put the enemy trench out of action.

14th Jan 1915 A Tough Life

30th November 1917 Serious Disease report

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Want to know more about 39th Garhwal Rifles, British Indian Army?


There are:2 items tagged 39th Garhwal Rifles, British Indian Army available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served with

39th Garhwal Rifles, British Indian Army

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Negi VC. Darwan Singh.
  • Negi VC. Gabbar Singh. Rflmn
  • Negi VC. Gobar Sing. Rflmn. (d.10th March 1915)

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of 39th Garhwal Rifles, British Indian Army from other sources.


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  Rflmn. Gobar Sing Negi VC. 2nd Btn. 39th Garhwal Rifles (d.10th March 1915)

Gobar Sing Negi died on the 10th of March 1915, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Neuve Chapelle Memorial in France. He was the son of Badri Sing, of Manjaur, Tehri, United Provinces.

An extract from the Supplement to The London Gazette, dated 27th April, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 10th March, 1915, at Neuve-Chapelle. During our attack on the German position he was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement."

s flynn






  Rflmn Gabbar Singh Negi VC. 2nd Btn. 39th Garhwal Rifles

Gabar Singh Negi was born at Manjood village near Chamba Garhwal Uttarakhand. He joined the Garhwal Rifles in October 1913. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 10 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France:

"During an attack on the German position Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement."

S. Flynn






   Darwan Singh Negi VC. 1st Battalion 39th Garhwal Rifles

Darwan Singh Negi was a Naik in the 1st Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles, when he was awarded the VC, the citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 4 December 1914, and reads:

"His Majesty the King-Emperor has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned soldiers of the Indian Army for conspicuous bravery whilst serving with the Indian Army Corps, British Expeditionary Force: 1909, Naik Darwan Sing Negi, 1st Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles. For great gallantry on the night of the 23rd-24th November, near Festubert, France, when the regiment was engaged in retaking and clearing the enemy out of our trenches, and, although wounded in two places in the head, and also in the arm, being one of the first to push round each successive traverse, in the face of severe fire from bombs and rifles at the closest range."

S. Flynn






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