It is impossible to close this chapter without adverting to the injustice meted out in the distribution of the battle honours for the Indian Mutiny. Every regiment that served on the line of communications in Afghanistan or in South Africa has been granted a battle honour. The regiments which maintained peace in the Punjab, which disarmed mutinous soldiery, which hunted down rebels in Lower India, have been denied all share in the distinctions granted for the Mutiny. The Inniskilling Fusiliers at Peshawar, the 24th (South Wales Borderers) at Jhelum, the 81st (Loyal North Lancashire) at Lahore, the 13th (Somerset Light Infantry) at Azimghur, all contributed to the maintenance of our hold on India, and many of these regiments suffered severely in action.[25] It is not too much to say that, had it not been for the 81st at Lahore, we should never have held the Punjab. The conduct of this regiment at the disarming of the native garrison at Meean Meer was one of the finest feats in those dark days. Again, what are we to think of the failure to recognize the conduct of the 31st (now the 2nd Queen's Own Rajput Light Infantry) at Saugor, where they defended a large number of Englishwomen and children? There was no stiffening of British bayonets, as at Lucknow or at Cawnpore, but there were a number of British officers who had earned the confidence of their men; and when the mutinous 42nd Bengal Infantry endeavoured to seduce the then 31st Bengal Infantry from their duty, the answer was not merely a refusal, but the regiment, under its own native officers, sallied out from the fort at Saugor, attacked their mutinous _bhaibunds_, drove them off in confusion, and captured a couple of guns. For the defence of Arrah by one weak company, the 45th Sikhs bear on their colours the honour "Defence of Arrah." Was the defence of Saugor one whit less deserving of reward? VICTORIA CROSSES FOR THE MUTINY.