W W W Humbley

Journal of a Cavalry Officer: With the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers During the First Sikh War, 1845-1846 W W W Humbley

An unusual perspective on the downfall of the Punjab

The 9th Lancers played a comparatively small part in the First Sikh War. Their real fame came during the Second Sikh War and during the Indian Mutiny where they won their famous appellation, 'The Delhi Spearmen.' Nevertheless, the author of this book was present throughout the first campaign and experienced much at first hand that was beyond the view of his regiment's activities. Humbley decided to ensure that his readers had a thorough overview of the war and so was at pains to interview eyewitnesses to events at which he could not be present. Furthermore, he could claim a connection to Sir Harry Smith since his own father was (like the general) an old officer of the famous 95th-The Rifles-under Wellington. We can thank Humbley for the wealth of statistical information he compiled and of course for leaving posterity a vital account of a comparatively little reported war. An essential and welcome book for any student of the period.