Great reluctance appears to have been felt by the Government in England, to treat services performed under the East India Company as worthy of recognition by the Crown. The Court of Directors issued a medal in 1808 to the officers and men of the King’s and Company’s troops who had taken part in the operations in Mysore, but the royal permission for the King’s troops to wear the medal in England was not granted till 1815, in which year General Harris was raised to the peerage for his services in 1799. In 1818 his lordship made a special representation for some permanent badge to be bestowed on the regiments concerned, when permission to bear the word “Seringapatam” on colours and appointments was granted.
Horse Guards,
24th June 1818.
Sir,
I have the honour to acquaint you, that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the Name and on the Behalf of His Majesty has been pleased to approve of the 19th Regiment of Light Dragoons (Lancers) being permitted to bear on its Colours and Appointments, in addition to any other Badges or Devices which may have heretofore been granted to the Regiment, the Word “Seringapatam,” in commemoration of the distinguished gallantry displayed by the Regiment in the Storming and Capture of Seringapatam, in the month of May 1799.
I have &c.
Harry Calvert
A. G.
M. General
Sir J. O. Vandeleur, K.C.B.
Colonel of the 19th Lancers.