British Empire Discussion

I read recently that the India Army Officers under the British Raj had to buy their own horses, sadelry and uniforms when they joined up. Was that true and did the same apply to British Cavalry Regiments?

I believe that it was their responsibility up until 1887 when the remount service was created as part of the army reforms to standardise and professionalise the armed forces. This itself was taken in to the Army Service Corps in 1891.

Before this the individual regiment was responsible for the mounts of the unit as a whole. So the Colonel was ultimately responsible. Naturally, officers preferred to supply their own, better quality horses, although these had to be sourced locally. Often, officers would have several horses especially in barracks.

Before the Cardwell Army Reforms, officers bought all their own equipment and their rank too! It was really a matter of prestige for the sons of aristocrats - especially the Cavalry regiments. Generally, the eldest son would inherit the estate, one son would go into the church, another into the armed services and any others into business! So cavalry regiment officers were generally very wealthy, well connected individuals and wouldn't have minded buying their own equipment.

In addition to the points Stephen has made, most Indian Army cavalry regiments were originally raised on a traditional Indian plan known as the 'sillidar system'. Recruits brought their own mounts and weapons, for which they were paid - either a regular allowance or a lump sum on joining. As one British writer put it, this essentially created 'limited liability companies', with each sowar [trooper] being a shareholder.

Fairly quickly the British began to purchase both weapons and kit and mounts, to ensure that all were of an acceptable quality. Hence the fact that, up to and after the Great War, most Indian cavalry units were uniformed and equipped 'to the regimental pattern', as each unit purchased or had made what was needed.

The economic implications of the sillidar system, as revised, were interesting too. Each recruit essentially bought into the regiment, paying for kit and mount. The earlier custom of the British Army billed soldiers for their first uniforms and all subsequent issues by 'stoppages' from their pay. However, the Indian troopers got the money back when they retired or were discharged, as a sort of combined pension and dividend. In fact, many of the Native Officers owned multiple 'places' or shares, which were sold/leased to relatives and compatriots. This produced very tightly knit units but the drawback was a certain reluctance, not to fight but to fight in a fashion which decimated units and destroyed horses and equipment, as this essentially devalued the 'stocks' in the regimental 'company'.

During the small scale wars and expeditions on India's borders in the period 1850-1914 the sillidar system worked well, but the huge losses in both men and materiel of WWI made the system unworkable and it was quietly abondonned in the 1920's & '30s, though the Indian Army stayed in the horse and mule breeding business until Independence in 1947.

Peter Monahan
[new member]

Thanks very much for that, I might have to add a sillidar section to the Indian Cavalry to help explain.

Cheers again

Not really a "discussion".
My grandfather and great uncle served in the R.G.A. 1904 -06, No. 108 Coy. Then to Canada as part of the "1907 Draft", serving in No. 3 and No. 5 Coy R.C.G.A.
I am looking for a photo of/showing the Company Number badge that they would have worn in either country?