2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)

Brochure Defence India

December 2, 2009

2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse)

A commemorative postage stamp on the Bicentenary of 2^nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse), one of oldest and most highly decorated armored regiments of Indian Army :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 2, 2009

Issued for : India Post is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Second Lancers.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Neenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About :

2^nd Lancers (Gardener’s Horse) was raised as Gardener Corps of Irregular Horse by Lt. Col William Linnaeus Gardener on 12 May 1809 for police and revenue duties in the ceded and conquered provinces between Ganga and Yamuna. The regiment performed with distinction in the Nepal War in 1815, Burma campaign in 1824, Sindh in 1844, where it was presented the Musketoons and bestowed an Honorary Standard Squadron. It was also presented an Honorary Standard bearing the Insignia of the Scinde Lion for distinguished services in Sindh. Earning the nickname the “Sindh Lions” all ranks of the Regiment were authorized to wear on its accoutrements a badge representing a unique Lion “Passant Ragardant“. Second Lancers (Gardener’s Horse) is the only unit in the Indian Army which is authorised to bear its unique insignia of the Lion on all its vehicles during peace time.
The Regiment earned further distinction during the Sikh Wars in Punjab in 1846 & 1848. Later in the mid-fifties it quelled the Santhal rebellion in Bengal. The Regiment then sailed to Egypt in 1882 and fought the decisive battle of Tel-el-Kebir.
During First World War, in the battle of Cambrai in France the regiment suffered hundred casualties including its Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel HHF Turner. In the same battle Lance Dafadar Govind Singh won the Victoria Cross for his exceptional bravery. For its gallant actions the Regiment was mentioned in the Cambrai Despatch by Field Marshall Lord Douglas Haig. Since, then Cambrai day i.e. 30 November is celebrated as a Battle Honour day. Subsequently the Regiment sailed to Middle east and led one of the greatest cavalry charges at El Afuleh on 20^th September 1918 during the “Drive to Damascus“, which was also the last Cavalry charge in the world.
In April 1922, 4^th Cavalry was amalgamated with 2^nd Lancers (GH). In June 1935 the Regiment was bestowed with the title of Royal and was renamed 2^nd Royal Lancers.
During the Second World War, the Regiment fought the most notable actions at El Mechili and Bir Hacheim in North Africa for which Major Rajendra Singhji and LD Mehboob Ali Khan won Distinguished Service Order and Indian Distinguished Service Order respectively. In Oct. 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Maharaj Rajendra Sinhji, DSO, ADC became the first Indian to take over the command of the Regiment in the then British Indian Army.
In Aug 1947 the Regiment was in action against communist guerrillas in Malaya, The Regiment returned to India in Dec 1947.
In Jan 1953 General Maharaja Rajendra Sinhji, DSO, ADC became the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, the first from 2^nd Lancers (Gardener’s Horse) and the Armoured Corps. In Nov 1961, the regiment along with Scinde Horse became the first Regiment in Armoured Corps to be awarded the Guidon by the President for their services in war and peace.
In Sep 1965 the Regiment went to war, equipped with Sherman MK V/VI tanks it gave an excellent account of itself in the famous tank battles and was awarded the Theatre Honour of ‘PUNJAB‘. The Regiment was first to receive the indigenous battle Tank ‘Vijayanta‘. In July 1993, General BC Joshi, PVSM, AVSM was appointed as COAS, the second officer of the Regiment to be appointed as Chief of Army Staff. The Regiment also holds the distinction of having produced two Army Cdrs, Lt. General H Kaul PVSM, AVSM and Lt. General R Sharma PVSM, AVSM. Today with over a hundred and fifty gallantry awards to its credit, which includes a Victoria Cross, an Albert Cross, 32 DSOs, 19 Military Crosses, three SMs, three PVSMs, eight AVSMs and seven COAS Commendation Cards, 2^nd Lancers (GH) is one of the most decorated Regiments in the Indian Army.
Text : Based on the material provided by the proponents.