3rd Bombay European Regiment facts for kids

The 3rd Bombay European Regiment was a group of infantry soldiers formed by the British East India Company in 1853. They were first created to protect Bombay (now Mumbai) and were based in Pune. However, they were soon called to help stop the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The regiment was sent to Central India as part of the 2nd Brigade. They played a key role in Sir Hugh Rose’s Central India Campaign in 1858. They helped take back important places like Sagar, Rahatgarh, Jhansi, and Gwalior from the rebels. For their efforts in this campaign, they received two special awards called battle honours.

After the rebellion ended, the British Parliament passed a new law in 1858. This law, called the Government of India Act 1858, gave control from the British East India Company to the British Crown. Many changes happened because of this. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment was closed down in 1862. Its soldiers became part of the British Army as the 109th Regiment of Foot.

How the Regiment Started

Bombay (now Mumbai) was one of the islands given to Britain. This happened when King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza, the daughter of the King of Portugal. To defend Bombay, King Charles II created the Bombay Regiment of Europeans in 1662. In 1668, Bombay and its regiment were given to the East India Company. This created the Bombay Army, which was like a loan from the King.

Between 1796 and 1798, this army was reorganized twice and became very strong. By 1808, the Bombay Army had 26,500 soldiers. This included 6,500 British troops and 20,000 local troops. In the early 1800s, local cavalry (soldiers on horseback) also joined, making the Bombay Regiment even stronger. In 1853, the East India Company made the army even bigger. They created the third infantry regiment on November 15, 1853. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment was first based in Poona (Pune). It was a popular place for Europeans, but their peace was soon broken by the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Battles and Campaigns

Rahatgarh Fort

Hugh Rose led the Central India Field Force to capture Rahatgarh, Garhakota, Jhansi, and Gwalior.

As part of the Central India Field Force, the 3rd Bombay Regiment left Poona on October 1, 1857. Their goal was to capture the rebel stronghold of Jhansi. At first, the regiment stayed in Sehore. Then, in January 1858, they moved to Bhopal and then to Rahatgarh. On January 26, 1858, the 3rd Bombay Europeans began preparing for a siege. They helped set up artillery in difficult areas.

After heavy bombing of the fort, on January 28, the 3rd Bombay Europeans were the first to enter the fort. They found that their 500 enemies had escaped. On January 30, Sir Hugh Rose led some of the 2nd Brigade, including the 3rd Bombay Europeans. They chased the enemy and defeated them at the River Beena. The 3rd Bombay Europeans charged and drove the enemy out of the thick jungle. Soon after, they took over the fort at Barodia. Sir Hugh Rose praised the 3rd Bombay Europeans and their leader, Lt. Col. Liddell, in his report. Five men from the 3rd Europeans were injured in this fight.

Garhakota and New Uniforms

By February 9, the 3rd Bombay Europeans were ready for more action. They were part of the force attacking Garhakota. When they set up camp near the fort, the enemy started firing cannons and rockets. Rebel soldiers from the 51st and 52nd Bengal regiments moved towards the British guns. But the 3rd Bombay Europeans pushed them back twice. The rebels eventually went back into their fort. The fort was then bombed continuously with heavy shells. Finally, on February 13, Sir Hugh Rose's force succeeded. The rebels left the fort, and the 3rd Bombay Europeans entered it early in the morning.

After capturing Garhakota, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment returned to the 2nd Brigade at Sagar on February 17. They rested before moving towards Jhansi. During this rest, the regiment tried out a new battle uniform. It was made of stone-colored cotton shirts and trousers. This was different from their usual heavy red and blue uniforms. This might have been the first time a British unit wore a khaki uniform. The experiment worked well. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment became known as the "Brassheads." This name showed their ability to handle India's high temperatures.

Their rest was short. By late February, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment moved north with the 2nd Brigade towards Jhansi. They faced three more challenges before Jhansi: the stronghold of Narut and the passes of Mundinpur and Malthon. At Mundinpur pass, the enemy fired at the 2nd Brigade from the hills. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment and the Hyderabad Contingent fought back. They charged into the jungle while artillery fired at the rebels, pushing them back through the pass. After a short break, the 2nd Brigade continued their journey to Banpore and then to the river Betwa.

The Siege of Jhansi

On March 21, the 2nd Brigade, including the 3rd Bombay European Regiment, arrived at the strong city of Jhansi. The city's defenses looked very tough. The plan was to take the city first, then attack the fort. Preparations for bombing happened on March 24-25, and the attack began on March 25, 1858. The enemy also kept firing. The 1st Brigade arrived on March 25, adding their artillery to the bombing. This lasted eight days. Much of the city's and fort's defenses were damaged. However, ammunition was running low. On March 31, a force of 20,000 enemy troops was reported to be coming to attack the British and help the city.

Battle of the Betwa River

With Jhansi almost captured, Sir Hugh Rose realized the new 20,000-strong enemy force, led by Tantia Tope, plus the 11,000 rebels still in the city, would outnumber his army. Rose had to defend his position from two sides. A force of 1200 troops was put together, including 226 men from the 3rd Bombay European Regiment. They faced the incoming enemy. At dawn, a single line of the 3rd Bombay European Regiment and the 24th Bombay Native Infantry faced Tantia Tope's army.

Rose had planned well. Artillery was placed on each side of the line to fire across at the advancing enemy. With Tantia Tope surprised, Rose ordered the 14th Light Dragoons to charge on both sides. He himself led the cavalry attack on the left. As Tantia Tope's forces struggled, the 86th Regiment and the 24th Bombay Native Infantry moved forward to complete the defeat. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment fought on. By evening, Tantia Tope's forces were defeated and scattered, with over a thousand dead. The British lost 15 men, two of whom were from the 3rd Bombay European Regiment. Sixty-six were wounded, including three from the 3rd Bombay European Regiment.

Taking Jhansi Fort

With the enemy relief force gone, the attack on Jhansi fort continued. On April 3, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment moved to attack the city wall near the Orcha Gate. Two groups of 100 men each, one led by Captain Robison of the 3rd Bombay European Regiment, the other by Lieutenant-Colonel Liddell, moved steadily forward. They faced heavy gunfire, rockets, and bombs. But a problem arose: the ladders used by the 3rd Europeans were too short or too weak. The regiment came under heavy fire. Despite some success and brave actions, they had to retreat.

Meanwhile, an attack on the left side of the fort by the 86th Regiment succeeded in breaking through the wall. A group from the 3rd Bombay European Regiment, led by Captain Robison, followed the 86th through this opening. Lt. Col. Liddell, finding his ladders useless, tried to blow open a small gate, but it didn't work. Captain Robison's group made it inside, and the other group followed. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment fought through difficult street battles until they reached the Palace. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment and 86th Regiment captured it together. Both regiments had casualties when the enemy set off an explosion in a powder room.

Even after taking the Palace, the fight wasn't over. A group from the 3rd Bombay Regiment was sent to defeat the Afghan soldiers who were bodyguards of Rani Laxmibai. The Afghans caused many casualties, but they were eventually defeated. The Rani's flag was captured. An English flag, given to the Rani's grandfather by Lord William Bentinck, was also found. This flag was a special reward for loyalty, a privilege no other Indian prince had. The soldiers were allowed to raise this flag. Fighting in the city continued for another day. Finally, Lieutenant Baigrie of the 3rd Bombay European Regiment announced that he had entered an empty fort. Jhansi was officially captured. This was a big victory, but the regiment lost 7 men and had 52 wounded.

Lohari Fort

After Jhansi fell, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment, still part of the Central India Field Force, was split up. Some of the regiment stayed to guard the fort at Jhansi under Lt. Col. Liddell. The rest marched with Sir Hugh Rose to chase Tantia Tope.

Sir Hugh Rose sent Major Gall to the fort at Lohari. The fort and village of Lohari were on a flat plain. The fort was square with round towers at the corners. It had a ditch and another defense line outside the ditch. A company of the 3rd Europeans crossed the open space to the fort without resistance. They set up in a guard-house near the ditch. The fort's defenders ignored calls to surrender. Major Gall decided to blow open the third gate with gunpowder and storm the fort.

Twenty-five men from the 3rd Europeans, led by Lieutenants Armstrong and Donne and Ensign Newport, were the storming party. Lieutenant Bonus of the Bombay Engineers, under fire from the 3rd Europeans, placed the gunpowder bag at the closed gate. The firing party pulled back. The explosion happened, and the 3rd Europeans rushed through the smoke. They immediately met the enemy. The attackers were hit with stones, bricks, and attacked with knives and guns from the walls. Lieutenants Donne and Ensign Newport were badly wounded fighting hand-to-hand, but they fought off their attackers and retreated. Lieutenant Rose then led a final charge. The 3rd Europeans, with some of the 25th Bombay Native Infantry, drove the enemy back. A bloody fight followed. The enemy's last stand near the gateway was also crushed. Private Whirlpool, a bugler who was first through the gate in the final charge, later received the Victoria Cross for his bravery. The 3rd Bombay Europeans lost 1 man and had 17 wounded.

From Konch to Kalpi

On May 7, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment marched to Konch and then to Kalpi. This was a march of over 20 miles with full gear in very hot temperatures, sometimes over 47 degrees Celsius. Many soldiers suffered from heat exhaustion. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment was the only unit wearing lightweight khaki cotton; others wore heavy red uniforms.

During the operations before Kalpi, Lieutenant Baigrie, Ensign Mackintosh, and Ensign Trueman of the 3rd Bombay Europeans were praised for their bravery. Captain Forrest of the 3rd European was also commended for his actions in capturing the village of Sonorie in December 1858. He led his troops well against an enemy who knew the land very well. On January 14, 1858, near Dewsa village, the 3rd Europeans helped Brigadier Showers catch Tantia Tope's forces. The cavalry scattered the enemy. They chased them for 5 miles before stopping due to exhaustion.

The fighting at Kalpi was fierce. The heat caused as many casualties as the enemy. Tantia Tope's army attacked the British. At one point, Rose again led from the front as the 86th, 3rd Europeans, and 25th Native Infantry fought hand-to-hand. The temperature was recorded as 48 degrees Celsius in the shade. All the officers of the Central India Field Force were suffering badly from the sun. Yet, the regiment continued to fight. The 3rd Bombay European Regiment played a big part in the victory at Kalpi.

However, Tantia Tope's army refused to give up. With the help of the Rani of Jhansi, who had escaped, Tantia Tope captured Gwalior. Rose again took his force to recapture Gwalior, but without the 3rd Bombay European Regiment. They were left to guard Kalpi. By the time they arrived at Gwalior on June 18, they were not needed on the front lines. At Gwalior, the Rani of Jhansi was killed in action. Tantia Tope was finally captured and executed in April 1859.

After the Rebellion

The Indian Rebellion ended. In May 1859, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment moved to Mhow. There, they learned that the British Crown had taken over the East India Company and its armies. The soldiers were given a choice: join the Queen's service or return to England. The men of the regiment chose not to re-enlist and were sent back to England.

In 1862, the regiment was joined by 500 men from the Jaeger Corps. These men had volunteered from the Cape Colony to serve in India when the rebellion started. In 1862, when British and HEIC forces combined, the 3rd Europeans and the Jaeger Corps became part of the British Army. They were named the 109th Regiment of Foot in Karachi. The official ceremony happened on July 30, 1862. The new regiment had 770 soldiers and was led by Lt. Col. C.S. Whitehall, who was formerly with the 3rd European Regiment.

On September 3, 1863, the 109th Regiment of Foot received the "Central India" battle honour. This was to recognize their important contribution as the 3rd Bombay European Regiment. Later, on July 1, 1881, as part of changes to the British Army, the 109th became the 2nd Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians).

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