Helmet badge, Madras Volunteer Guards, 1857-1901

Brass badge, a crown over circlet with the unit title and date '1857', with crossed rifles and a stylised monogram in the centre. A scroll bears the motto of the unit, 'Ready Aye Ready'.

The Madras Guards was originally raised as a volunteer unit in Calcutta in 1857, following the outbreak of mutiny in the Bengal Army. The unit was presented with colours the next year and, by 1859, had been put on a proper financial footing. It remained the only volunteer unit in southern India until 1868. At the outbreak of World War Two (1939-1945) it formed part of the Auxiliary Force (India), which was intended primarily to assist the civil authorities in maintaining law and order.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.