Button, mess dress, 94th Russell's Infantry, 1903-1922

Small bi-metal button by J R Gaunt, London, with regimental number, '94', over a scroll bearing the unit title, 'Russell's Infantry'.

The 94th Russell's Infantry traced its lineage back to 1813 when Sir Henry Russell raised the 1st Battalion, Russell's Brigade. In 1826 it was renamed 1st Regiment of Infantry, Nizam's Army. In 1854 it became the 1st Infantry, Hyderabad Contingent. The regiment was renamed as the 94th Russell's Infantry as part of Lord Kitchener's major reforms of the Indian Army in 1903.

In 1914 the regiment comprised three companies of Rajputs, two companies of Jats, and three companies of Dekhani Muslims. The regiment was based in Bolarum in Hyderabad at the outbreak of World War One (1914-1918), and was attached to the 55th Indian Brigade, 18th Indian Division for the campaign in Mesopotamia. The unit participated in the Fat-ha Gorge and Little Zab actions and fought at the Battle of Sharqat from 28-30 October 1918.

In June 1917 a 2nd Battalion of 94th Russell's Infantry was raised and remained in India for home service with the Jubullpore Brigade, before being disbanded in December 1920.

After World War One, the Indian Army shifted from single battalion infantry regiments to multi-battalion regiments, and in 1922 the 94th Russell's Infantry became the 1st Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.