'Jullundur, 1909/10', Battalion Staff, 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force)

Photograph, India, 1909 (c).

Rear row (from left to right): Drill Naik Lal Khan; Quarter Master Havildar Hazara Singh; Head Clerk Chorhu Ram; Tindal Rijhu; Quarter Master Clerk Santokh Singh 'Master'; Bugle Major Prem Singh; Havildar Major Kala Singh ('Killed Mesopotamia 1916'). Front row (from left to right): Jemadar Adjutant Mehv Wali; Captain (later Major General) Clement Arthur Milward (1877-1951); Colonel (later Major General Sir) Charles John Melliss (1862-1936) (Victoria Cross); Lieutenant (later Major) George Eyre Bruce; Jemadar Quarter Master Mola Singh ('Killed Mesopotamia 1916').

The 3rd Regiment of Infantry The Frontier Brigade was raised in the winter of 1846/1847. It was quickly redesignated the 3rd Regiment of Sikh Local Infantry, and became part of the Punjab Irregular Force (the Piffers) in 1851. In 1857 the unit became the 3rd Regiment of Sikh Infantry. The regiment fought in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) and in the Tirah expedition (1897-1898). The regiment was renamed the 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) in 1903 as part of Lord Kitchener's reforms of the Indian Army.

Born in India, Charles John Melliss was commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment in 1882. Melliss transferred into the Indian Army in 1884. He served in the North West Frontier of India and East and West Africa. In 1900, serving with the West African Frontier Force, Melliss was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the 4th Ashanti War (1900-1901). Melliss returned to the Indian Army in 1902, serving in East Africa with the 1st Bombay Grenadiers where he was injured in a lion attack.

At the time this photograph was compiled, Melliss had been serving back in India, commanding the 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force). In 1912, Melliss was promoted to Major-General.

From an album of 44 photographs compiled by officers of 3rd Royal Battalion (Sikhs), 12th Frontier Regiment, redesignated the 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force), 1909-1922.