Button, 18th King George's Own Lancers, 1910-1922

Brass, medium button made by Firmin and Sons, London, with the royal and imperial cypher of King George V, 'GRI' (Georgius Rex Imperator), surmounted by a crown above the regimental number, '18', over crossed lances, with a scroll below, bearing the unit title, 'King George's Own Lancers'.

The 18th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry was formed in 1861 from the 2nd Regiment of Mahratta Horse and the Tiwana Horse. The regiment adopted the lance in 1886. The unit became the 18th Prince of Wales's Own Tiwana Lancers in 1906 and the 18th King George's Own Lancers in 1910. In 1914, during World War One (1914-1918), the regiment was sent to the Western Front. The unit went on to serve in the Middle East, fighting at the Battle of Megiddo and participating in the advance on Damascus in 1918. In 1922 the regiment was amalgamated with the 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse) to form the 19th King George V's Own Lancers.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.