Shoulder title, 19th Madras Infantry, 1885-1903

White metal badge in the form of the abbreviated regimental title, '19MI'.

The unit was originally raised in 1777 as the 20th Carnatic Battalion, becoming the 19th Madras Native Infantry in 1824. It fought in the 2nd Mysore War (1780-1784), 3rd Mysore War (1790-1792), 4th Mysore War (1799) and the 2nd Burma War (1852-1853). During the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) the regiment remained loyal to the British and fought in the campaign in Central India.

In 1903, with the reorganisation of the Indian Army, the unit became the 79th Carnatic Infantry. The 79th Carnatic Infantry served in Mesopotamia and Persia during World War One (1914-1918). In 1922 it became the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Madras Regiment but was disbanded in the following year. The battalion was reconstituted in 1941, during World War Two (1939-1945), from the 13th Territorial Battalion.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.