[citation needed] Up to 1887, Garhwális had been enlisted in the five regiments of Gurkhas belonging to the Bengal Infantry and the Punjab Frontier Force.

[citation needed] The Sirmoor Battalion (later the 2nd Gurkhas), which fought in the siege of Delhi in 1857, had 33% Garhwális on their rolls at that time.

The first proposal to raise a separate Regiment of the Garhwális was initiated by His Excellency Lieutenant General, (Later Field Marshal) Sir F. S. Roberts, VC, then Commander-in-Chief, India, in January 1886.

[citation needed] Based on this decision, recruiting commenced in the area of upper Garhwál and Tehri state by Major L Campbell and Captain Browne.

Major LRD Campbell was the second in Command and Lt Col JHT Evatt, the Adjutant, both from the Punjab Frontier Force.

[citation needed] Lt Col EP Mainwaring raised the First Battalion at Almora on 5 May 1887 and moved it to Kaludanda, which was later renamed as Lansdowne after the then Viceroy of India, on 4 November 1887.

[citation needed] The ‘Crossed Khukris’ of the Gurkhas were replaced by the ‘Phoenix’, the mythical bird which rises out of its own ashes, in the crest, marking the formal beginnings of the Garhwális as a distinct class Regiment.

[5] The Great War saw the Garhwali's in France, part of the Garhwal Brigade of the Meerut Division, plunging into action in Flanders, where both battalions fought.

[6] Nk Darwan Singh also had the distinction of being the first Indian to be presented the Victoria Cross personally by the King Emperor who made a special trip to the battle front in France at Locon on 1 December 1914.

[6] As due recognition of their fighting prowess in the Great War, Battle Honours "La Bassee", "Armentieres", "Festubert", "Neuve Chapelle", "Aubers", "France and Flanders 1914-15", "Egypt", "Macedonia", "Khan Baghdadi", "Sharqat", "Mesopotamia" and "Afghanistan" were conferred on the Regiment.

[6] After successful completion of operations in Kohat, the Battalion was tasked to occupy, a very important, yet difficult piquet on the Spin Ghara Ridge near Kotkai.

[citation needed] In the consequent onslaught by Mashuds on 2 January 1920, the Company Commander, Lt WD Kenny held his piquet under heavy fire and waves of fanatic tribals.

Lt Kenny, though badly wounded, helped in evacuation of his men while giving battle to the tribal forces until he eventually collapsed and succumbed.

For his conspicuous bravery against overwhelming numbers of Mahsuds, Lt WD Kenny was posthumously awarded the third Victoria Cross.

The 2nd Battalion ceased to exist after the Malayan Campaign due to heavy casualties – the remnants captured by the Japanese.

After intensive jungle warfare training, it moved to Burma and fought a series of actions in the Tunnels Area, Akyab and subsequent operations at Ruywa before proceeding to Kuala Lumpur for disarming the Japanese who had capitulated.

The command then fell on to youngest captain (Lt Col) HS Rautela who led from the front and got a gallantry commendation from the then Chief of Army Staff.

Captain CN Singh of the Regiment was posthumously awarded the MVC for gallantry whilst serving in HQ 120 Infantry Brigade.

In a gallant night action against raiders in the Galuthi area, he led the charge that killed six of the enemy while the rest fled, leaving behind large quantities of arms, ammunition and equipment.

The 12th Battalion had been in action since October 1971 and on commencement of active hostilities, took Hatibandha and participated in operations east of Dinajpur.

It took its initial objectives Dhandar and Mukhwal (south of Suchetgarh) and then into enemy territory to Bairi and Laisar Kalan.

The 7th Battalion was in the Chhamb sector, fighting a series of actions culminating in the re-capture of Sangam post by the time the ceasefire was declared.

(now Lt Col) was also in a holding role in Punjab and captured enemy post Ghurki and was awarded the Sena Medal.

The 10th Battalion fought a notable action led by Maj Mahabir Negi while capturing Raipur Crossing in the Akhnur-Jaurian sector.

The Commanding Officer Lt Col Onkar Singh personally led one of the attacks, being critically wounded and later succumbing to his injuries.

In This Operation Some Battalions of Garhwal Rifle Send by Present Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1987.

The Regiment has also won the following theatre honours: Jammu and Kashmir — 1947–48, Punjab — 1965, Rajasthan — 1965, East Pakistan — 1971, Kargil — 1999.

World War I : "La Bassee 1914", "Armentieres 1914", "Festubert 1914–15", "Neuve Chapelle 1915", "Aubers 1915", "France and Flanders 1914–15", "Egypt 1915–16", "Khan Baghdadi 1918", "Sharqat 1918", "Mesopotamia 1917–18", "Macedonia 1918", "Afghanistan 1919".

World War II : [nb 2] "Gallabat 1940", "Barentu 1941", "Keren 1941", "Massawa 1941", "Amba Alagi 1941", "Abyssinia 1940–41", "North Africa 1940–43", "Kuantan", "Malaya 1941–42", "Yenangyuang 1942", "Monywa 1942", "North Arakan 1944", "Ngakydauk Pass 1944", "Ramree 1945", "Taungup 1945", "Burma 1942–45", "Citta di Castello 1944", "Italy 1943–45".

Post-Independence : "Tithwal 1947–48", "Jammu and Kashmir 1947–48", "Nuranang 1962", "Buttur Dograndi 1965", "Punjab 1965", "Gadra Road 1965", "Rajasthan 1965", "Hilli 1971", "East Pakistan 1971", "Operation Pawan 1988", "Batalik 1999", "Dras 1999", "Kargil 1999".