'Signallers - Jullundur - 1909/10 53rd Sikh3 (F.F.)'

Photograph, India, 1909 (c).

A group of signallers of 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force), equipped with signalling flags, lamps, telescopes and heliographs. The British officer is named as Lieutenant Bruce.

Subjects are named as Kehr Singh; Farman Ali; Jamal Din; Bir Singh; Allah Khan (Indian Order of Merit); Lieutenant (later Major) Bruce; Ferez Khan (noted as 'Killed'); Pala Singh; Sakhi Muhd; Mir Awas; Timar Khan.

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.

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.