19th Hussars

In 1922, with the amalgamation of the 15^th The King’s Hussars and the 19th Queen Alexandra’s Royal Hussars, the 15th/19th King’s Royal Hussars was formed and, until 1914 the 19th Hussars had never set foot in Europe, all their honours being won in Asia, Africa and America. In 1781 Sir John Burgoyne raised a Regiment of Light Dragoons and a large draft from the 15th Hussars was used to start it.

The Regiment went to India and in 1782 they took part in the Mahratta War. In 1803 they were with Wellington at the Battle of Assaye. In 1821 the Regiment was disbanded. In 1861 it was raised again by the East India Company and became known as the 19th Hussars. It is interesting to note that the government of the time would only allow the East India Company to recruit men of up to 5 feet 4 inches in height and the Regiment was consequently nicknamed “The Dumpies”.

The Regiment arrived in South Africa in September 1899 and the last Squadron arrived in Ladysmith on 10th October 1899. They comprised 29 officers, 538 men, 508 horses, 179 mules and 70 attendants and remained with the besieged

Casualties at the end of the siege were listed as 13 wounded, 2 died of wounds and 50 died of disease.

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Jeremiah Bowles was bornin the village of Great Marlow Buckinghamshire and married, as Arthur Bowles, to Sarah Hutchings in 1895 and had six children; it appeared that Jeremiah made a habit of changing his name because he done so in the census of 1891 and later. He first enlisted with the Royal West Surrey regiment on 8th.December 1887 then deserted to join the 19th.Hussars and for this action he was court-martialled losing both pay and service. His enlistment with the 19th.Hussars started on 1st.January 1889 and he was discharged 18th.January 1902 and during this time he served in the Boer War, his medal showing clasps for Belfast, OFS, Laings Nek and 1901. He was put on trial for signing up under the false name of John Bowles again losing pay and service. He saw service in WW1 with the Labour Corps, dying in Great Marlow 13th.January 1956. Sent in by Steve Bye.