Battle Honour 'JAVA'.

Battle Honour 'JAVA'.

The Battle Honour JAVA is emblazoned on the Regimental Colours of The Royal Irish Regiment.

The Dutch were Naploeon's ally and their possessions in the East Indies were subjected to seizure by the British from 1810. Java too was a rich prize and lay in a strategically important location likely to threaten British possessions and ambitions. Fort Cornelis, a system of defence works on Java, posed a particular threat.

In September 1811, Sir Samuel Auchmuty pursued the Dutch further east along the Java coast to Samarang. On 16 September his force of 1,600 men scored an easy and decisive victory over the Dutch army of 8,000.

Next day the Dutch capitulation was signed, and Java, the last Dutch East Indian possession, became British. Java was the first Battle Honour awarded to the 89th Regiment of Foot.