Table lighter in the form of galley, 2nd Punjab Regiment, 1928 (c)

Silver by Mappin and Webb, hallmarked London, 1927-1928, on ebonised plinth with plaque inscribed, 'Presented to the Officers 10th Bn 2nd Punjab Regt by Lt Col K D M Henderson MC 1926'.

This lighter is from the mess plate of the 2nd Punjab Regiment. It was presented to the 10th Battalion's mess by Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth Douglas Murray Henderson MC. The galley was the regimental insignia of the 2nd Punjab Regiment and derived from a predecessor unit which was awarded the 'Golden Galley Badge' in 1839 for their 'readiness always envinced' for undertaking foreign service. This was at a time when many Hindus in the East India Company army considered 'crossing the black water' something that could break caste.

Lieutenant-Colonel Henderson served with the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) before joining the Indian Army. He served in the Boer War (1899-1902) and was awarded the Military Cross fpr service in East Africa during World War One (1914-1918). He retired on 1 February 1929.