Helmet badge, 3rd Skinner's Horse, 1903-1922

White metal badge with regimental numeral '3' on crossed lances, surmounted by King's Crown with the unit title on a scroll below.

Lieutenant-Colonel James Skinner raised a second regiment of his Skinner's Horse in 1814. This cavalry unit became 3rd Bengal Cavalry (Skinner's Horse) in 1901 and 3rd Skinner's Horse in 1903.

3rd Skinner's Horse served on the Western Front in World War One (1914-1918) as part of the Indian Expeditionary Force. It arrived in Marseille from Bombay on the transport ship Rajah on 15 December 1914. During 1915 the unit primarily acted as part of a mobile reserve behind the lines but also served time as infantry in the trenches around Le Platin and Thiepval.

3rd Skinner's Horse returned to India in 1916 and saw action on the North West Frontier and participated in the 3rd Afghan War in 1919. The unit was eventually amalgamated with 1st Skinner's Horse to become the 1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse in 1922.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.