Cap badge, 125th Napier's Rifles, 1903-1922

Brass badge with bugle horn with the regimental number, '125', between knotted cords, surmounted by a King's Crown.

The 125th Napier's Rifles was originally raised as the 1st Extra Battalion Bombay Native Infantry in 1820. In 1826 it became the 25th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, serving under General Sir Charles James Napier in the Sind in 1843. In 1858 the regiment was renamed the 25th Regiment of Bombay Native (Light) Infantry. The term 'Native' was dropped from the title in 1885 and in 1889 the unit was renamed as the 25th Regiment (3rd Battalion Rifle Regiment) of Bombay Infantry. Reform of the Indian Army led to the regiment being renamed the 25th Bombay Rifles in 1901 and 125th Napier's Rifles in 1903. The Regiment served on the Western Front and in the Middle East during World War One (1914-1918). In 1922 the regiment was amalgamated and became the 5th (Napier's) Battalion of the 6th Rajputana Rifles.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.