Shoulder title, 3rd Sikh Infantry, pre-1903

White metal badge with the regimental title, 'Sikhs', surmounted by a number, '3'.

The 3rd Regiment of Infantry, Frontier Brigade, was raised in the winter of 1846/1847. It was quickly redesignated the 3rd Regiment of Sikh Local Infantry, and became part of the Punjab Irregular Force (The Piffers) in 1851. In 1857 the unit became the 3rd Regiment of Sikh Infantry. The regiment fought in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) and in the Tirah expedition (1897-1898).

The regiment was renamed the 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) in 1903 as part of Lord Kitchener's reforms of the Indian Army. During World War One (1914-1918) the unit fought in Mesopotamia and Palestine. In 1922, with the further reorganisation of the Indian Army, the unit became the 3rd Battalion (Sikhs) of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment. With the Partition of India in 1947, the Frontier Force Regiment became part of the Pakistan Army.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.