| Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade 5th Indian Cavalry Brigade 4th Indian Cavalry Brigade 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 3 February 1915 – July 1940 |
| Country |  British India |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch |  British Indian Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 9th (Secunderabad) Division Poona District Deccan District |
| Garrison/HQ | Secunderabad Bolarum |
| Service | First World War Second World War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Br.-Gen. W.G.K. Green Brig. A.F. Hartley Brig. A.G.O. Mosley Mayne |
The 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry brigade of the British Indian Army that formed part of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed as Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade in February 1915 to replace the original brigade that had been mobilized as the 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade for service on the Western Front. It remained in India throughout the war.
The brigade continued to exist between the wars and by September 1939 it was designated 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade. It briefly served as part of the Indian Army during the Second World War before being broken up in July 1940.
At the outbreak of the First World War, the Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade was part of the 9th (Secunderabad) Division. It was mobilized in August 1914 as the 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade with the first elements of Indian Expeditionary Force A. It departed for the Western Front, arriving in France on 12 October 1914. It was attached to the newly formed 1st Indian Cavalry Division before joining the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division on 23 December 1914.[1]
On 3 February 1915[a] a new Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade was formed in 9th (Secunderabed) Division to replace the original brigade and to take over its area responsibilities. The brigade served with the division in India throughout the First World War.[2] The brigade remained unnumbered throughout the First World War, the only unnumbered Indian cavalry brigade.[3][b]
The brigade continued to exist between the world wars. In September 1920 it was redesignated as the 5th Indian Cavalry Brigade and in 1923 as 4th Indian Cavalry Brigade. Later in the decade it regained its geographical designation as 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade. From 1920 it was under the command of the Poona District and from 1927 under the Deccan District.[5]
At the outbreak of the Second World War, the brigade was still under the command of Deccan District. It was broken up in July 1940 with some of its units moving to the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade[6] which was forming at Sialkot at this time.[7]
The Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade commanded the following units in the First World War:[8]
The 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade commanded the following units in the Second World War:[6][9]
The Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade / 5th Indian Cavalry Brigade / 4th Indian Cavalry Brigade / 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade had the following commanders:[5]
| From | Rank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 February 1915 | Brigadier-General | H. Kennedy | Appointment vacated 20 February 1915[2] |
| 14 April 1915 | Brigadier-General | F.H.B. Commerline | |
| April 1920 | Brigadier-General | A.G. Pritchard | |
| January 1921 | Brigadier-General | C.A.C. Godwin | |
| December 1923 | Brigadier-General | W.G.K. Green | |
| April 1925 | Brigadier-General | G.A.H. Beatty | |
| October 1925 | Brigadier-General | E.D. Giles | |
| August 1927 | Brigadier-General | H.A. Tomkinson | |
| December 1927 | Brigadier | A. Campbell-Ross | |
| January 1932 | Brigadier | A.F. Hartley | |
| September 1933 | Brigadier | D.K. McLeod | |
| December 1934 | Brigadier | G. de la P. Beresford | |
| September 1938 | Brigadier | A.G.O. Mosley Mayne | |
| September 1939 | Commander unknown[6] |
The brigade carried several designations during its existence. This can be a cause for confusion as other Indian cavalry brigades carried the same or similar designations at different times, and even at the same time.
