91st Punjabis

British Officer's Patrol Jacket and Helmet, c1905

These items appeared in an auction at Bosley's in the summer of 2000. They belonged to Major Cecil Howard Williams who joined the regiment in 1892 when it was the 31st Madras Light Infantry. The catalogue describes this jacket as a Rifle pattern tunic but the broad mohair lace down the front and along the hem were distinctive to the patrol jacket which was worn in undress. If you look at the group photo 53rd Sikhs. Officers in various dress orders 1900 you will see an officer sitting in the middle wearing a patrol jacket with pillbox cap. Compare this with the tunic worn by the British officer sitting next to him in full dress. The cuff decoration is different and there are pockets on the hips.
The helmet is covered in drab cloth and topped with a blackened spike. The four fold beige silk pagri has scarlet material between each fold to match the facing colour.

Uniforms | Regimental History