Button, 27th Regiment of Madras Infantry, pre-1901

Medium-sized, gilt button by Gordon and Company, Madras, with the regimental number, '27', in the centre, surmounted by an Imperial Crown, with scroll below bearing the battle honour, 'Mahidpore', within a wreath.

The unit was initially raised as the 1st Extra Madras Battalion in 1798, but was renumbered the same year as the 1st/14th Madras Native Infantry. The battle honour on the button relates to the Battle of Mahidpur, fought during the 3rd Maratha War (1816-1819).

In 1824 the unit renumbered again as the 27th Madras Native Infantry. In 1885 the word 'Native' was dropped from its title. In the 1903 reorganisation of the Indian Army, the regiment became the 87th Punjabis and served on the North West Frontier and in Mesopotamia during World War One (1914-1918). In the 1922 reorganisation, the regiment became the 5th Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment. After the Fall of Singapore in February 1942, the battalion was captured and then disbanded at the end of World War Two (1939-1945).

From the Field Marshal Chapple Indian Army Collection.