Pugri badge, officer, 128th Pioneers, 1903-1922

Silver and gilt badge with crossed axes on an open ground, within a garter bearing the title, '128 Pioneers', surmounted by a King's Crown.

The pugri or pagri is a form of headdress.

The 28th Bombay Native Infantry was raised in 1846. The term 'Native' was dropped from its title in 1885. In 1888 the regiment became the 28th (Pioneer) Regiment of Bombay Infantry. In 1901 the unit became the 28th Bombay Pioneers. It was renumbered the 128th Pioneers as part of the reform of the Indian Army in 1903. In 1922 the 128th Pioneers was amalgamated and formed the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Bombay Pioneers. The regiment fought on the North West Frontier of India, the Sudan and served in the Middle East during World War One (1914-1918).

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.