Cap badge, Surma Valley Light Horse, 1901-1947

Silver plate badge with black backing, in the form of a unit monogram surmounted by an Imperial Crown, with a scroll bearing the unit's motto, 'Non Sibi Sed Patriae' - 'Not for self, but for country'.

The Surma Valley Light Horse was originally formed as the Sylhet Volunteer Rifle Corps in 1880 and later became the Cachar and Sylhet Mounted Rifles in 1883. The unit was formed mainly of tea planters from the Silchar area in Assam, in North East India. In 1886 it became designated the Surma Valley Light Horse and retained this title until it was disbanded along with all other Indian Auxiliary Force units in 1947, when India gained Independence.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.