Disbandment
Four years later, February 10, 1933, was a sad day for the Regiment as the Sikh Pioneers were disbanded after 75 years of glorious service. This was essentially a measure of economy especially as the Sappers and Miners were to be augmented with an increased number of Mazbhi Companies. A farewell parade was held at Sialkot on December 8, 1932, when the Sikh Pioneers paraded for the last time. Drawn up in line 1,600 strong were the 1st and 2nd Battalions, once the 23rd, 32nd and 34th, with the Corps Headquarters and the massed bands. At the saluting point was a crowd of spectators including many old bemedalled pensioners of the Sikh Pioneer regiments.
 Left to Right (N0-1) NK 34th Sikh Pioneer, (N0-4) Jemadar 23rd Sikh Pioneer (N0-10) Sub Maj 34th Sikh Pioneers (Courtesy National Army Museum, London)
"The Sikh Pioneer Trust Fund" was raised out of the Regimental Funds for the benefit of the Mazbhi and Ramdasia ex-soldiers, their widows, orphans and other dependents.
 Major-General Moens commanding the Lahore district,
saying farewell to the Corps of Sikh Pioneers
Re-Raising
After suspended animation of a little over eight years, the Sikh Pioneers were re-raised to meet the urgent and mounting demands of World War II. The 1st Battalion was raised at Jullundur on October 1, 1941. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions were raised at Peshawar and Sialkot on July 1, 1942 and August 15, 1942 respectively.
For Capture of Shan Capital, Taunggyi
The re-raised Regiment was known as the "Mazhbi and Ramdasia Sikhs" a nomenclature, which was found uninspiring. The Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Claude 'Auchinleck, wanted this changed and the Director General of Infantry, Maj Gen (later Lt Gen) Reginald Arthur Savory was tasked to find a suitable name for the Regiment. A committee was constituted at Army HQ, after some alternatives like the Sikh Fusiliers, the Sikh Rifles and the Sikh Grenadiers had been considered and examined, the Sikh Light Infantry was chosen. This became prevalent from June 23, 1944.
A year later, Lt. Gen Savory who presided over the Committee had this to say about the new name: "I was convinced that in modern times 'Light Infantry' were not the quick-stepping, bugler- playing little men of past wars, who were usually out of breath after they had doubled a mile or two. My idea of modern Light Infantry men was of great stalwart men, capable of carrying heavy loads, living off the country as far as possible, and supplied by air. This was real light infantry of the present day". And of course "The M & R Sikhs" fitted this framework admirably. Being the successors to the Corps of Sikh Pioneers the Sikh Light Infantry was allowed the seniority and Battle Honours of the late 23rd Sikh Pioneers, the senior-most battalion of the Corps. Likewise the Regimental flag of the 32nd Sikh Pioneers- dark blue, red and old gold with the Regimental Crest of the 'Quoit' with a 'Kirpan' above, resting in the centre of the flag- was adopted for the Sikh Light Infantry. |
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