The reputation of the Pathans and their regimental number earned them the inevitable nickname of the Forty Thieves and their British Colonel - Ali Baba. Their first active service was in Tibet in 1903-4. By then they had been augmented with Dogras and Punjabi Musalmans. In 1914 they were in Hong Kong, their eight companies comprising of two of Orakzais, two of Punjabi Musalmans, two of Dogras, one of Afridis and one of Yusufzais. A second battalion was added in 1918 and in 1922 the 40th became the 5th battalion of the 14th Punjab Regiment. They were captured by the Japanese in 1942, the survivors were taken into the 1st battalion after the War.