Button, 20th Bengal Native Infantry, 1861-1864

Large brass button by Smith, Kemp and Wright Limited, Birmingham, with the regimental number, '20', within French circle and dot motif, with the encircling title, 'Punjaub Infantry'.

In 1864 the 20th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, formerly the 24th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, was redesignated the 20th (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry. The 24th had served in the 2nd China War (1856-1860) and the battle honours for the storming of the Taku Forts and the capture of Peking (Beijing) were retained by the unit.

The regiment served in the Ambela (Umbeyla) Expedition on India's North West Frontier in 1863 and fought in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). The regiment also served in the Egyptian War of 1882 and returned to China for the 3rd China War, or Boxer Rebellion, in 1900.

The regiment became the 20th (The Duke of Cambridge's Own Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry in 1883, losing the 'Native' from its title in 1885. With the reform of the Indian Army in 1901 the unit became the 20th (The Duke of Cambridge's Own) Punjab Infantry. The origin of the regiment went back to a unit raised during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) by Lieutenant (later Field Marshal) Charles Henry Brownlow (1831-1916) at Nowshera. The regiment incorporated its founder's name in its title in 1904 when it became the 20th Duke of Cambridge's Own Infantry (Brownlow's Punjabis).

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.