v.1.0 September 9, 2001

In this preliminary orbat I have relied entirely on the book Bayonets to Lhasa, by Peter Fleming [Oxford University Press; 3^rd impression, 1987]. Readers are welcome to expand on the orbat.

Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India

Colonel J.R.L. McDonald, Commander of the Military Escort to the Commissioner

Approximately 1150 men, 4 mountain guns, 2 machineguns

Section 7^th Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (2 guns)

Two 7-pounder guns ("Bubble" and "Squeak", manned by 8^th Gurkhas)

8^th Gurkha Rifles (six companies)

23^rd Sikh Pioneers (infantry, eight companies)

2^nd Sappers and Miners (half company)

MG Detachment, 1^st Norfolk Regiment (2 Maxim MG)

Field Hospital

Engineer Park

Telegraph Detachment

Postal Detachment

Other detachments

In immediate reserve:

32^nd Pioneers

Balance of 8^th Gurkhas

Balance of 23^rd Pioneers

On setting out from Siliguri, the rail head, the force was accompanied by:

Approximately 19,000 pack animals

Approximately 10,000 laborers

HQ Staff

3^rd Sappers and Miners ( half company)

7^th Mountain Battery (6 guns)

30^th Mountain Battery (2 guns)

Mounted Infantry (2 companies)

Royal Fusiliers (4 companies)

Norfolk Regiment (Machinegun section, 17 men)

Royal Irish Rifles (Machinegun section)

32^nd Pioneers (infantry; 4 companies)

8^th Gurkha Rifles (6 companies)

40^th Pathan Regiment (6 companies)

British Field Hospital (1 section)

Indian Field Hospital (2 1/2 sections)

7^th Mule Corps

9^th Mule Corps

10^th Mule Corps

12^th Mule Corps

1. The book also mentions the 1^st Sappers and Miners and the Madras Sappers
2. A mule carried 160 lbs. including fodder for itself (10 lbs./day required). The force had 7,000 mules.