13 · FAMILY STORIES
Rajind and Sundar Singh
Rajinder: 1895–November 1983
Karmuwala
Sons of Chanda Singh
Profile
Rajinder Singh: 1895–November 1983
Rajinder Singh and Sunder Singh were brothers, sons of Chanda Singh, according to the family genealogy, which identifies both as First World War servicemen. 1
Ajit Singh, Rajinder’s son and Sundar’s nephew, recalls his father’s wartime service in his interview with Major Singh.
The surviving village service register records the corresponding names as Rajind Singh and Sundar Singh, each with the father’s name transcribed as Chenda Singh. On page 727, entry 7579 gives Sundar’s unit as “Central India Cavalry No 38”; entry 7582 records Rajind with “Cavalry No 38”. 2 These entries strongly support service in the same numbered regiment, the 38th King George’s Own Central India Horse. 3
The regiment served in France before joining the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1918. This regimental history does not establish either brother’s personal campaign service. 4 Their individual service dates, ranks and medals are not supplied in the village register entries.
Rajinder Singh.
Photographs & Documents
Rajinder Singh. The framed portrait records 1895–November 1983.
Sources & Notes
Sources and notes (4)
[1] Ajit Singh Family, family genealogy supplied by the owner. It identifies Rajinder Singh and Sunder Singh as brothers, sons of Chanda Singh, and as First World War servicemen. The family spellings are retained here alongside the register forms Rajind, Sundar and Chenda.
[2] Village service register, page 727, entries 7579 and 7582; compiled Karmuwala and Gharka First World War register. Entry 7579 records Sundar Singh, father Chenda Singh, “Central India Cavalry No 38”; entry 7582 records Rajind Singh, father Chenda Singh, “Cavalry No 38”. Both appear under “U.Karmanwala Near Gharka”. The original rows have been checked against the register image. Their ranks are shown as dashes, and these entries supply neither individual service dates nor medal details. The family identification is supported by the names, father and regiment; no individual personnel file has been recovered.
[3] Indian Army List, October 1914, printed page 444: 38th King George’s Own Central India Horse. This establishes the regiment’s title, not either brother’s individual rank or service record.
[4] House of Lords, “Indian Cavalry in Palestine”, 21 May 1919, Hansard, volume 34, columns 763–764. The account places the 38th Central India Horse among regiments that had served in France and joined the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1918. This is regimental context, not evidence of either brother’s personal campaign service.