Oudh 1858

The 1st Battalion again took part in operations in Oudh under 1st and Brigadier Sir Thomas Seaton and Brigadier Colin Troup, from 8th 2nd Bn October until 31st December, 1858. Four successful actions were fought with the rebels, namely, Rissoolpur, 25th October; Bunkagaon, 8th October; Pusgaon, 19th October; and Baragoan, 23rd November; and the Fort of Mittowlis was also captured on 10th November. Thence the Battalion formed part of a flying column which cleared the rebels out of the Khyreeghur jungles. The 2nd Battalion, which arrived in India in 1858 from South Africa, was engaged in the final suppression of the rebel sepoys.

Return of the 1st Battalion to England

In March, 1860, the 1st Battalion embarked for England, and in a General Order Lord Canning, Governor-General of India, bore further testimony to the services of the Battalion, concluding with the following tribute:

"It is not more by the valour of its officers and men, conspicuous as that has been on every occasion, than by the discipline and excellent conduct of all ranks during the whole of their service in India, that this Regiment has distinguished itself. The Governor-General tenders to the Battalion his warmest acknowledgments for the high example it has set in every respect to the troops with which it has been associated in quarters as well as in the field; and he assures its officers and men that the estimation in which their services are held by the Government of India confirms to the full the respect and admiration with which they are universally regarded."

The record of the 1st Battalion during its service in India (1845-60) will always be regarded by the Regiment as marking a golden age in its history.

The monument erected on the sea front at Dover by the Battalion, to the memory of those who fell in these Indian campaigns, has survived the bombardments of the Second World War.

Among the officers who joined the 1st Battalion in 1860 was Lieutenant Francis W. Grenfell.

In 1858 all infantry regiments dropped their numbers, and "60th" was officially erased from the title of The King's Royal Rifle Corps.

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