83rd Regiment - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

jim a · #1 13-09-12, 10:40 PM

Am hoping I'm posting this badge in the right sp[IMG][/IMG]t as I'm assuming it's Indian.
I don't have any Indian badges so am wondering... is it legit?... cast is O.K.?
Any history info?... thanks Jim
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../badges766.jpg

jim a · #2 13-09-12, 10:41 PM

peter monahan · #3 14-09-12, 11:02 PM

The 33rd Madras Infantry were raised in 1794 and went through numerous name changes in the following century:

33rd Battalion of Madras Native Infantry - 1794
1st Battalion, 12th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry - 1797
12th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry, or Wallajahbad Light Infantry - 1812
23rd Madras Native Infantry, or Wallajahbad Light Infantry - 1824
23rd (Wallajahbad) Regiment of Madras (Light) Infantry - 1885
23rd (Wallajahbad) Madras Light Infantry - 1901
83rd Wallajahbad Light Infantry - 1903

They kept that title until the 1922 reorganization of the Indian Army, when they became the 4th Battalion/3rd Madras Regiment. However this regiment was disbanded battalion by battalion between 1923 and 1928. The Madras Regiment was re-raised in 1941 and on Independence [1947] went to the new Indian Army where it still exists, with a strength of 19 battalions.

So, the badge must date from the period 1903-1923. The sand cast is quite common for Indian Army badges, both pre and post '47. I don't think the light Infantry regs. of the old British Army blacked their badges, and the loop fastenings are right for pre WWII, when berets began to appear.

So it is very likely to be a good one from that period. Nice find!

Peter

jim a · #4 17-09-12, 05:17 PM

Peter...Thanks for the great info and all your work... Jim

peter monahan · #5 19-09-12, 02:04 PM

My pleasure! My wife would tell you I have a lot of time on my hands - 'Guilty' - and that old teachers never actually quit trying to teach. Guilty again!

Gurkha · #6 19-09-12, 07:41 PM

Dug out my dress regs 1913 Indian Army,
What has been said is correct. In the appx for badges it states; 83rd Wallajbad Light infantry' on collar of tunic, forage cap and field cap A bugle with 83 in centre.. On helmet as on collar of tunic, but with scroll inscribed 'Now or Never'.
Regards
Steve