Cap badge, officer, 1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse, 1922-1947

Silver and gilt badge with central rose over crossed lances, with a crown between the lance-heads. A scroll below bears the inscription, 'Himmat-I-Mardan Madad-I-Khuda' (God helps those that help themselves).

Skinner's Horse was an irregular cavalry unit formed in 1803 by Captain James Skinner (1778-1841), an Anglo-Indian officer in the East India Company's service. Nicknamed 'The Yellow Boys' for their flamboyant saffron-coloured uniforms, Skinner's Horse were famous for their horsemanship and skill at arms. The unit became the 1st Regiment of Bengal Cavalry in 1861 and the 1st Regiment of Bengal Lancers in 1896. The Regiment was amalgamated with 3rd Skinner's Horse in 1922, to form 1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse. The regiment became part of the Indian Army Armoured Corps in 1947.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.