Button, 83rd Wallajahbad Light Infantry, 1903-1922

Small, bi-metal button by Hobson and Sons, with bugle horn, with the regimental number, '83' between the knotted cords, surmounted by a King's Crown.

The regiment was originally raised as the 33rd Madras Battalion in 1796, as part of the East India Company's Madras Presidency forces. As the 1st Battalion, 12th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry it fought at Seringapatam in the 4th Mysore War (1799) and Nagpore (1817), in the 3rd Maratha War (1816-1819).

The regiment was renumbered in 1824, becoming the 23rd Madras Native Infantry, or Wallajahbad Light Infantry. It was renumbered again in 1903, as part of the reorganisation of the Indian Army, becoming the 83rd Wallajahbad Light Infantry.

Detachments from the regiment served in East Africa and Persia during World War One (1914-1918). After the War, the unit served in Iraq, returning to India in 1921. After forming the 4th Battalion, 3rd Madras Regiment (Wallajahbad Light Infantry) in 1922, the unit was finally disbanded in 1923.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.