Helmet badge, 11th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Regiment of Bengal Lancers, 1876-1901 (silver and gilt)

Helmet badge, 11th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Regiment of Bengal Lancers, 1876-1901. Silver and gilt badge with the unit monogram and number on crossed lances, surmounted by the Prince of Wales’s feathers and motto, ‘Ich Dien’, inscribed on a scroll. This unit was originally raised in Lahore during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) by Captain Frederick Wale. After Wale’s death in 1858, Major Dighton Probyn took over command of the unit, renamed the 1st Regiment of Sikh Irregular Cavalry. It was initially under the control of the Government of the Punjab but in 1860 authority was transferred to the Commander-in-Chief, India. The regiment served in China during the 2nd China War (1857-1860). Re-designated the 11th Bengal Cavalry the unit returned to India in 1861, adding ‘Lancers’ into its name in 1864. The unit became the 11th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Regiment of Bengal Lancers in 1876, reflected in the inclusion of the Prince of Wales’s feathers in its insignia. After merging with the 12th Cavalry in 1921 the unit became the 5th King Edward’s Own Probyn’s Horse. The regiment survived the partition of India as the 5th Horse, an armoured regiment of the Pakistan Army. From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.