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An interesting and informative memoir which was written by an officer who went to France in 1914 with the 2nd Bn and who served throughout its time on the Western Front. He commanded the 2nd Battalion during significant engagements like the battles of Aubers, Festubert, and Loos. The regiment was the first regular Indian Army force to see trench service in the war. Both battalions suffered horrendous losses in the early battles in France and Flanders. The 1st and 2nd Battalions lost a combined 14 officers, 15 Viceroy's Commissioned Officers (VCOs), and 405 killed. The high casualties led to the temporary amalgamation of the battalions into "The Garhwal Rifles".The regiment earned two Victoria Crosses in France:
Naik Darwan Singh Negi at the Battle of Festubert in November 1914. He was the first Indian soldier to be personally presented the VC by King George V on the battlefield.
Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi (posthumously) at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915.
Later in the war (from 1917), the reconstituted battalions saw action in the Mesopotamia campaign against the Turks, distinguishing themselves in actions at Khan Baghdadi and Sharqat. In recognition of their gallantry, the regiment was conferred the title of "Royal" in 1921 by the King-Emperor.
