Button, other ranks, 5th Bengal European Regiment, 1858-1860

Circular brass button by Smith, Kemp and Wright of Birmingham, with numeral '5' within a French circle and dot, surrounded by the regimental title, 'European Regiment' and a wreath.

The 5th Bengal European Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in Bengal in 1858 by the British East India Company, for service 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.

The regiment composed of officers drawn from two Indian units, which had mutinied, the 5th Bengal Native Infantry and 6th Bengal Native Infantry. Following the end of the Mutiny the regiment were placed under the command of the Crown. The regiment was disbanded in 1860.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.