Officers' cap badge, 19th (Princess of Wales's Own) Hussars, 1896-1922

The 19th Hussars' elephant badge symbolised the regiment's historic links with India. Their predecessor unit, the 23rd Light Dragoons, had been raised in 1781 as the first ever British cavalry unit to operate in India, where it fought against Tipu Sultan and Dhoondia Wao and served under Sir Arthur Wellesley at Assaye. Renamed the 19th Regiment of Light Dragoons (Lancers) it then served in India on garrison duties before being disbanded in 1821.

When the East India Company's European units were transferred to the British Army in 1862, the five-year-old 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry were redesignated the 19th Hussars and was also allowed to keep the battle honours of the 19th Lancers. In 1922 the 19th were merged with the 15th The Kings Hussars.