With the Indians in France

In Short

General Sir James Willcocks delivers a personal, historical record detailing the deployment, battles, and internal life of the Indian Army Corps on the Western Front during World War I. Opening with verse celebrating the Sikh soldier Hurnām-Singh, the narrative follows Indian units as they arrive in Europe to reinforce depleted Allied lines. Willcocks documents their actions through heavy shelling, harsh weather, and fierce engagements at places like Wytschaete, Neuve Chapelle, and Ypres. Combining tactical summaries, administrative struggles, and personal tributes, the book endures as a vital firsthand account of imperial soldiering, cross-cultural camaraderie, and military leadership during a global crisis.

The Story

The chronicle opens by highlighting the political and strategic impetus behind sending Indian troops to Europe. Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy of India, collaborates with Lord Kitchener to press for the employment of Indian forces in France. Hardinge personally oversees troop preparations, pushes for necessary administrative changes in enlistment, and advocates tirelessly for the welfare of the Indian soldier.

Upon crossing the sea and landing at Marseilles, the Indian Corps—comprising regiments of Gurkhas, Sikhs, Dogras, Jats, and Pathans—is thrust directly into the brutal conditions of the Western Front. Willcocks outlines the distinct characteristics and fighting styles of each group, noting how they adapt to an entirely unfamiliar war. The Gurkhas take over deep, water-logged trenches initially ill-suited to their physical stature, yet demonstrate immense tenacity once accustomed to the artillery fire. The Sikhs show great personal courage and adaptability, while the Dogras maintain immaculate military discipline despite suffering severely in the freezing cold of late 1914.

The narrative tracks the Corps through intense, bloody engagements. In late October 1914 near Wytschaete and Messines, isolated companies face overwhelming German infantry assaults and heavy artillery bombardments. Officers like Captain Forbes and Lieutenant Clarke lead desperate defenses, while Captain "Jock" Gordon and Major Barwell fall in action. During these early engagements, British regiments such as the Norfolks and Devons step in to support struggling Indian units, earning high praise and lasting respect from the sepoys.

Logistical challenges loom large throughout the campaign. Supply and transport officers work to maintain strict dietary and religious customs for Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh troops under fire, providing familiar rations like chappatis and gur even when lines are pinned down near enemy trenches. As casualties mount, Willcocks repeatedly petitions General Headquarters for rest and reinforcements, pointing out that his corps of 14,000 rifles has been reduced to the strength of a single British division.

Despite chronic manpower shortages, the Corps takes part in major actions including the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres in April, and Festubert in May. At Neuve Chapelle, coordinated attacks by the Garhwal, Bareilly, and Dehra Dun Brigades capture key positions, though lack of ammunition and communications often limit sustained advances. At Ypres, units like the 15th Sikhs and the Highland Light Infantry hold out against horrific shellfire and chemical gas attacks, suffering heavy losses.

Professional friction and high-level reorganizations mark the later months. When Sir Douglas Haig assumes command of the First Army, Willcocks finds himself subordinate to a junior officer, an arrangement that causes confusion among Indian troops who view it as official displeasure. In September 1915, during preparations for the attack at Mauquissart ahead of Loos, Willcocks is abruptly relieved of his command. He departs without making a public display, prioritizing army discipline and troop morale above personal grievances. The chronicle concludes with official commendations, detailed honor rolls, and casualty lists honoring the fallen.

How It Unfolds

The mobilization phase — Lord Hardinge works alongside Lord Kitchener to secure the deployment of Indian troops to Europe. He personally attends maneuvers in India, communicates with military leaders, and pushes for policy adjustments to ensure the expedition's success.

First contact in Flanders — Indian troops arrive in the cold, muddy trenches of France and face immediate German attacks at Wytschaete. Outnumbered companies fight until isolated, enduring relentless shellfire alongside supporting British regiments.

Navigating logistical trials — Supply officers scramble to maintain strict religious and dietary protocols for sepoys under constant fire. The artillery provides vital fire support, instilling confidence in front-line infantry who face severe numerical depletion.

The test at Neuve Chapelle — The Corps executes a major combined offensive, capturing enemy positions and securing tactical points along the Layes river. Officers coordinate section advances amidst heavy casualties and broken communications.

Resisting gas and heavy artillery — At Second Ypres, regiments withstand poison gas attacks and severe bombardment. Units entrench under extreme pressure, holding their lines despite high officer casualties and tactical isolation.

A quiet departure — Amid administrative tension and military reorganizations, Sir James Willcocks is relieved of command just before the battle of Mauquissart. He leaves his post quietly to preserve troop discipline, ending his account with casualty lists and official honors.

The People

• General Sir James Willcocks — The commander of the Indian Army Corps in France. He wants to lead his men effectively, protect their welfare, and preserve the reputation of the Indian units. He battles upper command for troop rest and reinforcements, ultimately accepting his sudden dismissal to maintain military decorum.
• Lord Hardinge — The Viceroy of India who champions the deployment of Indian soldiers to Europe. He works to adapt enlistment systems, respond to logistical needs, and offer consistent political support to the expeditionary force.
• Hurnām-Singh — A veteran Sikh soldier of the Khalsa who returns to his native village on the Jhelum River missing a sleeve. He serves as the voice of the sepoy experience, recounting tales of European warfare and high-tech destruction to his fellow villagers.
• Captain R. S. "Jock" Gordon — A popular commander of No. 2 Company, 57th Rifles. Beloved by his men for his integrity and bravery, he leaps from his trench to reinforce a neighboring company under heavy attack and is killed instantly.
• Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Vivian — Commanding officer of the 15th Sikhs who demonstrates bold initiative, once offering to infiltrate German lines in disguise. He is killed leading his battalion during intense fighting at the Second Battle of Ypres.
• Colonel Davidson-Houston — Commander of the 58th Vaughan's Rifles. Known for his complete devotion to his men, he takes tactical risks on the battlefield that invite scrutiny from superiors, remaining a respected figure to his commander.

In Its Own Voice

“Beneath an ancient pipal-tree, fast by the Jhelum’s tide, / In silent thought sat Hurnām-Singh, / A Khalsa soldier of the King”

General Willcocks opens his record with verse depicting a wounded Sikh veteran returning home to reflect on his wartime service in France.

“The land of France is wide and fair, the people brave and free, / I fain would tell, but orders came, / ‘Push on, the foe awaits the game’”

In the introductory poem, Hurnām-Singh describes the abrupt transition from arriving in Europe to entering the chaotic line of fire.

“I do not know a word of English but I will remember the names Napak (Norfolk) and Diban (Devons), they are burra bahadurs (very brave men).”

An Indian officer recalls the decisive support provided by British regiments during a severe German shelling attack on Gurkha trenches.

What It's Really About

At its core, the text examines the human cost and administrative friction of deploying an imperial colonial army into modern industrial warfare. It explores how distinct ethnic and regional groups—Sikhs, Gurkhas, Pathans, and British regulars—forge operational bonds under extreme pressure. The narrative highlights the tension between front-line reality and high-command decision-making, showing how political mandates, chronic supply shortages, and rigid command structures impact the soldiers in the mud. Beneath the tactical reporting lies a defense of the Indian soldier's capability, loyalty, and martial dignity, arguing that their sacrifices on the Western Front were pivotal to holding Allied lines during the critical early years of World War I.

Why Read It Today

With the Indians in France offers a detailed, primary-source window into a historically underreported facet of the First World War: the crucial role played by the Indian Expeditionary Force in Europe. Readers interested in military history, imperial dynamics, and logistical leadership will appreciate Willcocks' direct, respectful observations of the troops under his command.

The reading experience balances formal campaign reporting with genuine affection for individual officers and sepoys. Willcocks writes cleanly and candidly, avoiding empty embellishment in favor of specific tactical realities, operational figures, and personal anecdotes.

The work does present specific period challenges. Modern readers will encounter early 20th-century colonial terminology, complex military unit designations, and extensive lists of casualties and honors that slow the narrative pace. Additionally, Willcocks' personal defense of his command decisions adds a layer of administrative argument to the battle narratives. Nevertheless, the vivid descriptions of trench warfare, cross-cultural respect, and battlefield courage leave a lasting impression of the profound sacrifices made by Indian soldiers in the fields of Flanders.

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