While at Belfast the regiment became possessed of some greatly prized relics of the old 19th Light Dragoons, through the generosity of a lady whose husband had served in the old regiment. As is well known, all cavalry regiments except Hussars and Lancers, at the beginning of the century, had a standard or guidon for each squadron. After their return from India, and shortly after the conferring of the Elephant and Assaye badges (1807) the 19th Light Dragoons received a new set of guidons.[68] On the regiment being equipped as Lancers (1817) the guidons could no longer be used, and, on the disbanding of the regiment they became the property of the Colonel, Sir John Vandeleur. At his death he bequeathed them to his relative Major William Armstrong of Farney Castle, Thurles, who had served in the 19th from 1809 to 1819. Major Armstrong’s widow now made known her wish to restore the guidons to the regiment that bears the number and badges which the old regiment so worthily earned. On the 28th March 1882, the Belfast squadron paraded, under Lieutenant Colonel Coghill, and received the guidons with a royal salute. The Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment (formerly the 19th Foot) lent the services of their band, and the guidons were marched in all honour, through the town, to barracks, where they were deposited in the Mess Room, after a royal salute and an address to the squadron from Colonel Coghill.
The honorary guidon granted to the old regiment for Assaye, has not been traced. If it is still in existence, it is to be hoped that the possessor will restore it to its rightful guardians.
According to the old custom one guidon in each regiment was known as the King’s. The King’s guidon was of crimson silk with the Union badge in the centre. The regimental guidons were of the same colour as the regimental facings, with the regimental badge in the centre. Guidons were discarded on active service, after 1811, if not earlier.[69]
AN OFFICER OF THE XIXTH HUSSARS, 1882.
to face p. 232.
In June 1882, the regiment received orders to return to England, and, while on the march for Aldershot, where it arrived 14th July, news was received that it was to proceed at once to Egypt on active service. Weak and sickly men were drafted into Depot, to remain behind, the four squadrons being completed by volunteers from other regiments and from the Reserve. The following officers also were attached to the regiment, for service.
| Captain Lord | St. Vincent | 16th Lancers. |
| Lieutenant Sir | G. Arthur | 2nd Life Guards. |
| ” | Scott | 3rd Hussars. |
| ” | Crabbe | ” ” |
| ” | Morris | 7th Hussars. |
| ” | Ridley | ” ” |
| ” | Holland | 15th Hussars. |
| ” | de Crespigny | ” ” |
| ” | Hon. R. Leigh | ” ” |
| ” | Blagrove | ” ” |
| ” | La Terriere | 18th Hussars. |