Sikhs in British Armed Forces
History of Sikh Regiments
The Sikh Regiment came into existence on August 1, 1846, with the raising of Regiment of Ferozepore Sikhs and Regiment of Ludhiana Sikhs by Captain G. Tebbs and Lieutenant Colonel P. Gordon respectively and were used in great effect in the 1857 Indian Rebellion. The outcomes were extremely beneficial for the Sikhs, as their loyalty and fighting tenacity made them the backbone of recruitment for the British Indian Army, which were previously recruited from South Indian regions. In this campaign the Sikhs were awarded their first two battle honours for operations conducted at the siege of Lucknow and the defence of Arrah. In addition the Sikh Regiment were awarded a one rank seniority over other Indian Sepoys and awarded the authorisation to wear the converted red turban (which is still worn by the regiment today) opposed to the standard blue head dress worn by British Indian Army Units at the time.
1800-1900:
- First British Sikh Battalian – 1846
- The Indian Mutiny – 1857
- Sikh Regiments 1859-1914
- Battle of Saraghari 1897
1900-2000:
- First World War Egypt 1914
- First World War Galipoli -1915
- FirstWorldWar Mesopotamia 1918
- Sikh Forces in Afghanistan – 1929
- Sikh pilots in WW2
- Second World War – Burma – 1942
- Second World War – Burma – 1943
- Second World War – Burma – 1945
- Sikh Forces Siam & Malaya – 1945
Sikh Units in British Army
- 14th Sikhs
King George’s Own Ferozepore - 15th Sikhs
Ludhiana - 23rd Sikh Pioneers
- 32nd Sikh Pioneers
- 34th Sikh Pioneers
- 35th Sikhs
- 36th Sikhs
- 45th Rattray Sikhs
- 47th Sikhs
- 51st Sikhs
- 52nd Sikhs
- 53rd Sikhs
- 54th Sikhs
“Finally we that live on can never forget those comrades who, in giving their lives gave so much that is great to the story of the Sikh Regiment. No living glory can transcend that of their supreme sacrifice.
May they rest in peace.
In the last two World Wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109.045 were wounded. they all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the World, enduring shell fire with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith”
General Sir Frank Messervy, K.C.S.I., K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O.