'Jullundur 1909/10 53rd Sikhs (F.F.) on Parade'

Photograph, India, 1909 (c).

Colonel Sir Charles Melliss VC at the front of the 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force), on parade in Jullundur, India, 1909 (c). The British officers are identified as (from left to right): Rainsford-Hannay, Major Davies; Milward, Shepherd, Smart, Frank Macartney and Pearson; Tomes, Watts, White, Chapman and Bruce. The Indian officers in the front row are named as Ramzan Khan; Sarban Singh; Mangal Singh; Arsla Khan, Mehr Wali; Ganga Singh; Surat Singh; Said Ali; Mola SIngh; Faiz Talab; and Santa Singh.

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. During World War One (1914-1918) the unit fought in Mesopotamia and Palestine. In 1922, with the further reorganisation of the Indian Army, the unit became the 3rd Battalion (Sikhs) of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment. With the Partition of India in 1947, the Frontier Force Regiment became part of the Pakistan 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.