The Sikhs in the British Army thread.

Drew - can't agree with you on the Canadians - I served in support of their 1st Div most of the way through Italy - and they were as good as any in the Italian Campaign and that includes 5th - 78th and 6th Armoured Divs...
Cheers

 

Drew - can't agree with you on the Canadians - I served in support of their 1st Div most of the way through Italy - and they were as good as any in the Italian Campaign and that includes 5th - 78th and 6th Armoured Divs...
Cheers

I suspect times may have changed since then.

 

The Canadians were on scene whe my mates in XV230 died They did a good job and, I believe, have the one of (if not the) highest casualty rates in Afghanistan. I don't know, nor care, if any of them wore a turban.

Roxy

 

Fine British Army beards....






Bullet Proof Patka'

as worn by Sikh Soldiers in the Indian Army (and non Sikh non turbanned soldiers due to its lightness and ease of use)

 

Personally, I think that Guardsman looks rather smart in his turban, as do most Soldiers of distinction...



Dighton MacNaghten Probyn (1833-1924) began his career with 2nd Punjab Cavalry, serving for five years in operations on the Trans-Indus frontier before his outstanding service in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). He was mentioned in despatches seven times during the Mutiny, then awarded the Victoria Cross 'for gallantry and daring throughout this campaign'.

In 1858, he was appointed to command 1st Regiment of Sikh Irregular Cavalry. This became 11th Bengal Cavalry in 1861. Although Probyn gave up command of the regiment in 1866, a year later he sat to Swinton for his portrait in this uniform, an indication of his pride in the regiment. Probyn served in the 2nd China War (1857-1860), and went on to receive a number of honours and awards, becoming a General in 1888 and a Privy Counsellor in 1901. He served for 54 years in the Royal Households of King Edward VII, King George V and Queen Alexandra, and died in 1924 at the age of 91.

 

Interesting style, quite different than most other Sikh Turbans.
Its a bit like an Afghan Turban.

Bearded Afghan Man in Turban. NOM-PT013794 © © Carl & Ann Purcell/