Jemadar Kala Singh, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, 1911

Reproduction of portrait photograph by Langfier Limited, 1911.

From a photograph album of 284 portrait photographs of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Contingent, who attended the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, 1911.

The 15th (Pioneer) Regiment of Punjab Infantry was raised at the time of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and went on to serve in China in the 2nd China War (1856-1860). It became the 23rd Bengal Native Infantry in 1861 and the 23rd Bengal Native Infantry in 1864. It was used as an assault pioneer regiment, participating in the campaign in Abyssinia in 1868 and the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). It was renamed the 23rd Punjab Pioneers in 1901 and then the 23rd Sikh Pioneers in 1903. It took part in the Tibet Expedition (1903-1904) and in 1922, as part of major reform of the Indian Army, it became the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Sikh Pioneers.