Help with KOYLI pagri badge please

[sapper533]

Hi folks

I have had this badge for years, I have added a standard cap badge just for scale.

It purports to be a pagri badge, but it looks "locally made" is this correct or is it yet another for the junk drawer.

Any thoughts would be appreciated
Cheers
Sean.

[sapper533]

Reverse

[Toby Purcell]

The make-up of the White Rose isn’t right for a pukka article, but it might be a native mess waiter’s badge, or worn by the ‘Indian Platoon’ (mainly horse/mule transport) of a KOYLI Battalion in India between 1922 and WW2. During that period the British battalions in India were frequently under strength, whereas the Indian infantry were overborne. To alleviate this situation every British Battalion was allocated an Indian Platoon with the role of controlling animals carrying both, Battalion reserve ammunition and Machine Gun Platoon weapons, ancillaries and first line ammunition. These platoons (predominantly but not exclusively Sikhs) wore the cap badge of the unit to which they were attached. Sand cast badges were common.

[sapper533]

Thanks Toby that's very interesting.......I was working on the assumption that is was made in India but hadn't thought of it being worn by Indians, Mess Staff/ Bearers or an Indian Platoon.
Many thanks
Sean