At the beginning of 1886, the regiment experienced a severe loss in the death of its commander, Colonel Percy Barrow. The desperate wound he had received at El Teb, on the 19th February 1884, was one from which complete recovery was impossible. In spite of grave inconvenience to himself, he had gone through the most arduous part of the Nile campaign without flinching, while the skill and judgment with which he handled his men during the march of the Desert Column won the applause of the whole force. While preparing the regiment for some regimental games, a violent exertion re-opened the old wound, and after thirty hours of intense suffering he expired on the 13th January, in his 38th year. In him the army lost a soldier of great promise. The son of a well known Indian Officer, Major General Lousada Barrow, who commanded a Corps of Volunteer Cavalry in the Indian Mutiny and at the relief of Lucknow, Percy Barrow entered the 19th Hussars as Cornet in 1868. In 1879, he was selected to command a corps of Mounted Infantry and some irregular troops in the Zulu war; and served through the Boer war of 1881 in command of the Mounted Infantry. The soldierly spirit that animated him, and his intense devotion to everything that concerned the welfare of the regiment, can only be appreciated by those who have been privileged to read his letters written in quarters and in the field. Telegrams of condolence to the regiment from Her Majesty the Queen and from Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales testified to the general appreciation of the loss the public service had suffered in his death. His remains were removed to England and interred at Saltwood near Hythe. To command the regiment, his brother-in-law, Colonel Boyce Combe, was transferred from the 10th Hussars to the 19th.
In May, the regiment was ordered to proceed to England, and embarked at Alexandria on the 19th, in the Geelong and the Iona, leaving their horses behind them. On the 6th and 7th June, they landed at Harwich and Woolwich, and proceeded to Norwich, three troops being sent to Colchester. The regiment was much gratified at the receipt, on landing, of a telegram, welcoming them to England, from H.R.H. the Princess of Wales. In July, one of the Colchester troops was recalled to Head Quarters. The establishment of the regiment was fixed at 24 officers, 469 warrant officers non-commissioned officers and men, and 300 horses.
In the following March, the two troops at Colchester were sent to Birmingham, being replaced, in September, at Colchester by two troops from Head Quarters.
In October, the establishment was increased by 132 rank and file and 80 horses. For this purpose the necessary horses were transferred to the regiment from the 14th and 21st Hussars. A month later, by which time 56 recruits had been enlisted, the order was cancelled, and the horses were transferred to the 18th and 20th Hussars. At the end of the year, the Colchester squadron rejoined Head Quarters.
In April 1888, the regiment marched from Norwich and Birmingham to Hounslow, Hampton Court and Kensington.
In September, the regiment was brought on the strength of the 1st Army Corps, and its establishment increased to 707 of all ranks with 424 horses.
In March 1889, under Army Order No. 136, the regiment was granted permission to wear “Mysore” on its appointments, in commemoration of the campaigns against Tippoo in the last century, in which the old 19th Light Dragoons had borne so distinguished a part. The badge is certainly more appropriate than the old one of “Seringapatam” which was discarded.
In the same month the regiment lost its Colonel, Major General John Yorke, C.B. In his place Major General and Honorary Lieut. General Coote Synge Hutchinson was gazetted to the regiment. He was an old 2nd Dragoon Guards’ officer, and had served with that regiment through the Indian Mutiny.
In the following June, the regiment marched to Aldershot. On the 3rd July, it was employed in London on the occasion of H.M. the Shah of Persia visiting the City.
In September 1890, the regiment took part in the manœuvres on Berkshire Downs.