TEETHING PROBLEMS, 1856–1867 65
Panmure on the subjectand submit at once to Her Majesty the names
of the several officers, non commissioned officers, and soldiers referred
to in the enclosed papers with the view to this high distinction being
conferred upon them.^75
Two letters were dispatched from the War Office to Lord Ellenborough
16 April 1858. The importance attached to His Lordship’s endorsement is
evident in the tenor of the reply to his letters. As to Kerr:
I transmit herewith for your Lordship’s information a copy of a letter
which has been received in reply from H.R.H.’s Military Secretary, and
I have to acquaint your Lordship that, as H.R.H. sees no objection to
the Victoria Cross being now conferred upon Lieutenant Kerr I propose
to take an early opportunity of bringing that officer’s name before Her
Majesty with a view to his receiving this high distinction.^76
For the other ten recommendations, eight were accepted and two rejected:
I have to acquaint your Lordship that, in deference to H.R.H.’s judg-
ment I propose to take and early opportunity of submitting to Her Majesty
the names of the officers and soldiers in question with the exception of
those of Lieutenant Colonel Reid of the Bengal infantry and Lance Corporal
William Taylor into order that, should it be Her Majesty’s pleasure, this
high distinction may be conferred upon them.^77
The colonial administrators of India had made it quite clear that they
expected the European component of the Indian Army’s establishment to be
treated on the same basis as the regular Army. From this point forward the
eligibility of Indian Army officers was not challenged.
In addition to the establishment of guidelines for the inclusion and exclu-
sion of Indian formations, the Mutiny also provided the first test of Clause
VII of the warrant, allowing local commanders to confer the Cross on the
spot, subject to Crown review of the circumstances. In and of itself the provi-
sion was not bad, especially given the size of the British Empire and lack of
speedy communications. There were those who received provisional VCs that
were richly deserved and dearly won; Lieutenant Frederick Sleigh Roberts,
Kipling’s immortal ‘Bobs Bahadur,’ earned his Cross in such a fashion.^78
The administrative machinery in London quickly developed an unfavor-
able opinion of the practice. Peel took exception to a General Order issued
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