[3] On the outbreak of the First World War, it initially remained in India guarding the North West Frontier as part of the 4th (Quetta) Division.

In February 1916, it moved to Persia, where it had the unique distinction of being actively engaged against the Bolsheviks in 1918 during the hard-fought actions at Merv, Kaka and Dushak in the Russian Turkestan.

In 1921-22, a major reorganization was undertaken in the British Indian Army leading to the formation of large infantry groups of four to six battalions.

[3] During the Second World War, the battalion fought in the Malayan Campaign and was taken prisoner by the Japanese on Singapore Island following the British surrender on 15 February 1942.

90% of the officers and men of the battalion joined the Japanese Supported Indian National Army and fought against the British in the subsequent Battles.