'23rd Sikh Pioneers. 1913. Jemadar', 1927

Watercolour by Edmund A Campbell (1871-1951), 1927.

Full-length portrait of a jemadar, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, 1913.

The 15th (Pioneer) Regiment of Punjab Infantry was raised at the time of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and went on to serve in China in the 2nd China War (1856-1860). It became the 23rd Bengal Native Infantry in 1861 and the 23rd Bengal Native Infantry in 1864. It was used as an assault pioneer regiment, participating in the campaign in Abyssinia in 1868 and the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). It was renamed the 23rd Punjab Pioneers in 1901 and then the 23rd Sikh Pioneers in 1903. It took part in the Tibet Expedition (1903-1904) and in 1922, as part of major reform of the Indian Army, it became the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Sikh Pioneers.