The three DIAMONDS of Jodhpur Lancers -World War 1. (1914-1918)

The three Diamonds of Jodhpur Lancers of World War 1.

People of Jodhpur and India should be very proud to read about the three diamonds of Jodhpur Lancers who fought in the Palestine , Syria, Lebanon and brought name to the motherland, in World War 1. All these three Warriors and Diamonds of Jodhpur, were decorated with “Military Cross”, the third highest Decoration after Victoria Cross and George Cross, for their gallantry. Unfortunately, we lost the first Diamond in the War Field itself.

They are: 1) Major Thakur Dalpat Singh. MC ( Died of wounds received in action)    2) Captain. Thakur Anop Singh. MC IOM (2^nd Class)    3) 2^nd Lieutenant. Kunwar Sagat Singh. MC

While quite some information is available in the internet web pages about Maj.Thakur Dalpat Singh (Shekhawat) MC, not much of significance is available for the other two Diamonds. I request people of Jodhpur and the Rajputs in particular, to search and make public the data not available.

I would give valuable information on Maj.Thakur Dalpat Singh MC, in the following few lines of available information. (credit: “Old Eastbournian”, G.T.Rana, Helion & Co.  FHH  Annexure III)

1) Major Thakur  Dalpat Singh MC, "The First Diamond" 

 got birth in November 1892, at Deoli, Pali, Jodhpur  as the only child of Col. Thakur Hari Singh Shekhawat , a Jagirdar and famous Polo player of Jodhpur. Hari Singhji encouraged his son to join army right from the beginning. Hari Singhji was aide to Maharaja.   Sir Pratap Singh, the ruler of Jodhpur State sent Dalpat Singh to UK for education. Dalpat attended Wargrave, Blackwater schools and Eastbourne College in UK. He had become a very English man, in his manners and behaviour. He was a great sportsman with interest in Cricket, Rugby and Running. He had scored 4 centuries for his home team. In running he had won Mile race and Steeplechase. Of course, playing Polo was in his blood and he was an outstanding Polo Player.

Dalpat Singh got his King’s Commisiion on 13^th October 1913, and joined Jodhpur Lancers who were in France, on 25^th October 1913. After working as a Scout Officer and Adjutant in France, he was appointed Squadron Commander. He worked through the years 1914 to 17 in French war territory. In 1918, he got the rank of a Major and worked as acting Commanding Officer of the Jodhpur troops. Later by February 1918, the Jodhpur Troops were sent to Egypt and then in July to join the 15^th IS Cavalry Brigade, to Jordan Valley war area. On 14^th July, Dalpat Singhji went in action against a large troop of Turks near Abu Tulul. The itching hands of the Jodhpur troops, were in thick action. The Major himself with his trumpeter, attacked and captured the Commander of the 11^th Turkish Regiment with a rich haul of arms. For this brave act, he was awarded the “Military Cross” with a citation as follows:

From Page 14226( starts with awarded Military Cross) of Supplement to London Gazette No. 31043 dated 02 December 1918. ……………... ( Many other names in between)…….Actual citation can be found on page 14266.

Capt. Thakur Dalpat Singh, Jodhpur Lrs.,

IA. (EGYPT)

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, accompanied only by his trumpeter, charged an entrenched machine gun, killing and scattering the crew and capturing the gun. At the same time he captured the commandant of a regiment and another officer.

On that day, the Jodhpur Lancers got 6 Indian Orders of Merit (IOM) and 7 Indian Distinguished Service Medals (IDSM) for their heroism.

Jodhpur Lancers were moved to Palestine area of Haifa by 19^th September 1918. They saw greater action this Haifa sector with their leader Major Dalpat Singh. They captured 689 Turks, 17 field Guns, 11 machine guns. This was an an extraordinary achievement of cavalry. But, they lost their invaluable, irreplaceable leader in that campaign ,along with three killed and 34 wounded.

The action of that day summarised in the words of General Allenby are: “ The Jodhpur Lancers charged through the defile, riding over the enemy’s machine guns, gallopped into Haifa, where a number of Turks were speared in the streets. Major Dalpat Singh MC fell gallantly leading the charge.” He was seriously injured with machine gun bullets in his spine and died on the opeartion table. Next day, he was cremated with full military honours in an olive grove facing the sea ( in Haifa ?).

Strange that his memorial was not in Haifa, but, at Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) near Cairo.  A plaque in Haifa, was erected during the 100 years anniversary of the Liberation of Haifa, and/as  the "Hero of Haifa".

The tablet at the War memorial at Haifa, was inaugurated by Sri Narendra Modi, PM of India and Mr Benjamin Netanyahu PM of Israel., on the centenary day 23 Sept 2018. It has three portions, with English, Hebrew and Arabic texts about Maj. Thakur Dalpat Singh who has been declared “Hero of Haifa”. The English text reads as follows:

"This plaque commemorates the brave Indian Soldiers led by Major Thakur Dalpat Singh, M.C, who laid down their lives in the battle of Haifa on 23rd September 1918 and thus contributed to the liberation of the city. This is the only known case in history where a fortified town was captured by cavalry on the gallop. On that day, whilst the Mysore Lancers were clearing the rocky slopes of Mount Carmel, the Jodhpur Imperial Service Lancers took over the fortified town of Haifa in a daring day light cavalry charge. Major Dalpat Singh MC, also was leading the Jodhpur Lancers in the battle, fell gallantly during the charge and has since been called       Hero of Haifa "

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

A great poet of Marwar,Rajasthan, Mr Kishore Dan Baharat has written many poems in Dalpatji’s memory named `Veer Vilas' and ‘Dalpat Raso’ in Rajasthani language. The supreme sacrifice of Maj Dalpat Singh was appreciated by the British Government. It got made his statue with two other first world war heroes' statues by an architect of London, Leonard Jennings in 1922. These statues are placed side by side on a monolith pillar of Haifa Memorial  (Teen Murti) in New Delhi.

from the CWGC
THAKUR DALPAT SINGH
Nationality: Indian
Rank: Major
Regiment/Service: Jodhpur (Imperial Service) Lancers
Date of Death: 23/09/1918
Awards: MC
Additional information: Son of  Col. Thakur Hari Singh, of Deoli, Pali, Jodhpur, Rajputana.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: HELIOPOLIS (PORT TEWFIK) MEMORIAL

2) Captain. Thakur Anop Singh. MC IOM (2^nd Class). “The Second Diamond”

Sardar Bahadur Lieutenant Colonel Thakur Sahib ANOP SINGHJI, 10^th Thakur Sahib of Rodla, MC, IOM, OBI, Jodhpur Lancers.

He was enlisted in the Sardar Risala on January 15,1890 and retired on August 5, 1929. He rendered meritorious service in Tirah campaign in 1897-98, China war in 1899. And in World War 1914-18 he was with the Jodhpur Lancers, achieved his OBI in France, and took part in the famous battle Haifa, and got his IOM. He led "D" squadron which crossed the river Kisan under heavy shelling attacked the enemy post with lancers, spears and swords and silenced the enemy guns. Three guns, four machine guns and number of enemies were captured. He was mentioned in dispatches and honored with Military Cross. In March 1931 his services were lent to Udaipur state where he served with distinction. The Maharana Sahib raised him to the rank of Colonel and gave him Gold Tazim and monetary reward at the time of retirement. He was the one who got Gold Tazims from both the states of Marwar and Mewar. He was one of the highly decorated army officer of his time. He was appointed Honorary A.D.C. to H.E. Viceroy of India.

'On the 23rd September, 1918, during the attack on Haifa, he led his squadron with the greatest dash and ability, when he successfully charged the enemy's position, capturing three guns, four machine guns, and many of the enemy. He then led his squadron through the north portion of the town of Haifa, capturing many more prisoners, and rejoined the regiment at the final objective. He showed throughout the utmost contempt for danger'.

Citation Reference:

Captain Thakur ANOP SINGH, IOM, Lancers;; Egypt 2nd Supp 31219 8.3.1919 to LG 7.3.1919 & ADN 878,; 26.4.1919, Repeated AND 1001, 10.5.1919 page 3247 of LG 31219    Starts on page 3236 Awarded the Military Cross.. (.continues ……...many awardees…)… then on page 3247 you find “ Capt. Thakur Anop Singh, Bahadur, I.O.M., Jodhpur Imp. Servs. Lrs.,I.A. (EGYPT) “

3) 2^nd Lieutenant. Kunwar Sagat Singh. MC “The third Diamond”

Captain ( Rao Raja)  Sagat Singhji, MC (8.3.1919). born  at Jodhpur  in 1899 , of Idar.(s/o Pardayetji Rupjyot Raiji), educated at   Eastbourne College, Sussex. England.  Commissioned into   the Jodhpur Sardar Risala  in  1914,  2^nd-Lieut British Army   on  12/7/1916, served in the Great War 1914-1918, in France, Palestine & Syria, including the taking of Haifa and fall of Aleppo ( MC), served in Egyptian rebellion 1919, promoted  to  Hon Capt 1/1/1921. Received  : 1914 Star with 1915 clasp, IGS, British War, Allied Victory, India GS, and Jodhpur Great War Service (1919) medals. He died in January 1925 leaving  an only son  by Rao Rani Lad Kanwar  Sahiba of Jaipur, daughter of  Maharaja of Jaipur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, by a second wife.

'For gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 23rd September, 1918, during the advance on Haifa, he twice went back under heavy fire to give orders to squadrons in the rear, afterwards rejoining the head of the regiment. Throughout the action he gave an example of complete disregard of danger and showed great coolness'.

Citation Reference:

2/Lieutenant Kunwar SAGAT SINGH ; Egypt 2nd Supp 31219 dt 8.3.1919 to LG 7.3.1919 & ADN 1001, 10.5.1919 Page 3242 in LG 31219 “ 2nd Lt. Kunwar Sagat Singh, Jodhpur I.S. Lrs., I.A. (EGYPT).”

                    British Library Photo.

                                                             Colonel. Thakur Anop Singh.MC