The 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry, also known as the 21st Prince Albert Victor`s Own Cavalry (Frontier Force) (Daly`s Horse) was cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army. The unit was raised by Lieutenant Henry Daly of the Honourable British East India Company on 18 May 1849 at Peshawar. The 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry regiment was amongst the 5 units of the Punjab Cavalry that were established with the purpose of defending the North West Frontier of India. It soon became renowned as part of the Punjab Frontier Force.
Military Operations of 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry
The 21st Prince Albert Victor`s Own Cavalry (Frontier Force) (Daly`s Horse) provided extensive military service on the North Western Indian Frontier. The troops maintained their loyalty towards the British administration during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, also known as Indian Rebellion, and were stationed in North India. The cavalry regiment participated in the Siege of Delhi and the Relief of Lucknow. Due to their valiant and significant service, Lieutenant John Watson of 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry was honoured with the Victoria Cross.
The military battalion also fought in the Battle of Ahmad Khel during the Second Afghan War from the year 1878 to 1880. It was included as a part of the Kandahar Field Force. The Crown Prince of Britain, the Crown Prince of Britain, was appointed as the Colonel-in-Chief in 1890. The 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry later served during the First World War and took part in the Mesopotamian Campaign. The army unit was incorporated as a part of the 6th Indian Cavalry Brigade. The regiment later fought on the Tigris Front and participated in the capture of Baghdad and Kut al Amara. The 21st Prince Albert Victor`s Own Cavalry also operated in Tikrit, Daur, Ramadi and Istabulat. Later the troops participated in the capture of Kirkuk and served in Kurdistan.
Designations of 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry
The 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry held a number of designations and titles through out its service under the British Indian Army. These are listed as follows-
* 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry - 1849
* 1st Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Irregular Force - 1851
* 1st Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Frontier Force - 1865
* 1st (Prince Albert Victor`s Own) Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Frontier Force - 1890
* 1st (Prince Albert Victor`s Own) Punjab Cavalry - 1901
* 21st Prince Albert Victor`s Own Cavalry (Frontier Force) - 1903
* 21st Prince Albert Victor`s Own Cavalry (Frontier Force) (Daly`s Horse) - 1904
