Robert William Honner

When Robert Honner joined the regiment, they were the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry. He was with the battalion for their campaigns against the Bheels in 1823, and against the Meenahs in Sirohi State in 1824. In 1827 the regiment operated in the Western Ghats rounding up Ramosis, a tribe of robbers. The regiment, titled 4th Bombay NI since 1824, had a period of peace for 20 years during which time, Robert Honner was adjutant. He put this time to good use, bringing the regiment up to a high standard of efficiency. The history describes him as ‘an exceptionally fine officer… and it was largely due to his zealous and unremitting work that the Regiment was selected in 1841 to be formed as the first Rifle Corps in the Indian Army.’ An inspection report by Maj-Gen Sleigh in 1837 reported on his visit to the 600-strong regiment: ‘The internal management and general system in the Corps is an example to most regiments, and what the Major-General would wish to see followed by all belonging to his Division. The manner in which the clothing is fitted; the state in which the books are kept and the unremitting attention that is given to all returns required from his Corps to Divisional HQ, show how well fitted the commanding officer, Major Hicks, and Adjutant Brevet Captain Honner, are for their respective situations.’ When the regiment was ordered to prepare for active service in 1847, Brevet major Honner was brought back from Poona, where he had commanded the Recruit Depot, to command the regiment at Karachi. It was here that the regiment trained with the 60th Rifles for a year and a half. In 1848 he commanded the regiment in the 2nd Sikh War and the famous siege and capture of Multan for which he was mentioned twice in despatches and promoted to brevet Lieut-Colonel. In October 1856 the Regiment was ordered to join the Persian Field Force. Colonel Honner handed over command to Major Manson, having been appointed to command the 2nd Brigade of the Field Force of which the 4th Regiment was a part. He had to say goodbye to the regiment when he was given command of the island of Karrak on 31 July 1857. The photo shows Sir Robert Honner in the uniform of a major-general. He died on 8 November 1868. 1822 Joined as Ensign, 10 Mar 1823 Active Service in Mahi Kantha 1823 Attack on Techow, 29 Jan 1823 Attack on Tissow, 4 May 1824 Capture of Tallieta Pass, Sirohi State, 28 Feb 1824 Action at Roera, 1 Mar 1824 Action at Limbuj, 4 April 1826 Adjutant until 1842 1842 Commanded Recruit Depot at Poona 1847 Commanded Regiment, ranked as Brevet Major 1849 Storming of Multan, 2 Jan (twice Mentioned in Despatches) 1849 Brevet of Lt-Colonel, August 1856 Promoted to Brigadier in command of 2nd Brigade 1856 Capture of Reshire, 9 Dec 1856 Capture of Bushire, 10 Dec 1857 Action at Khushab, 8 Feb (Mentioned in Despatches) 1857 Posted to command of the Island of Karrak, 31 July 1858 Appointed CB, 22 Jan 1861 Major-General, 17 Sep 1865 Elevated to Knight Commander of the Bath, 26 Mar 1868 Died on 8th November.

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers