Button, officer, 3rd Bengal European Regiment, 1854-1861

Circular brass button by Jennens and Company of London, with numeral '3' within garter and wreath at the centre of a Maltese Cross. Each word of the regimental title, 'Third Bengal European Regiment' appears on an arm of the cross.

Raised by the Honourable East India Company in 1765 the regiment saw action in the 1st Rohilla War (1774). As the 3rd Bengal European (European) Light Infantry the regiment fought in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). The 'European' in its title denotes that other ranks as well as officers were drawn from the European population in India. After the Mutiny the unit was transferred to the British Army. It was renamed the 107th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Light Infantry) in 1861, and eventually merged with the 35th Foot to become part of the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1881.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.