Memorabilia

British WWI Somerset Light Infantry Soldier's Identified P07 Service Coat

British / Commonwealth Pattern 07 khaki wool five-button service coat has a partially legible soldier's service number, name, and unit "1/5 Somerset L.I." in purple laundry pen on the lower right interior pocket.  Coat has a short standing collar with the 'double-dart' feature, British General service buttons, three blue service chevrons, and Lance Corporal rank chevron.  Interior has a nearly complete paper label with maker and 1918 date.  This coat has Somerset Light Infantry shoulder titles that I believe likely to have been added to complete the coat for display, as they are of a quality inconsistent with original examples.  It also has a Somerset Light Infantry "JELLALABAD" stringed horn badge sewn to the center back as a formation sign, which may also be something added to complete the display.  Regardless of one's opinion of the titles and formation sign, this is an excellent example of a P07 coat, and I am fully confident that the ID inscription on the pocket is original and correct. 

$500 - $700

WWI British / Commonwealth Highland Troops Kilt & Uniform Coat Lot

Includes a nice Canadian made highland pattern khaki wool service dress jacket which has British general service buttons.  This shows signs of having once had shoulder titles, but no evidence of collar insignia remains.  Interior has a small bit of paper label remaining and the olive facings are marked with a C-BroadArrow stamp, as well as numerous post-war costume house markings.  A nice coat with just a few small holes.

Kilt remains in very nice condition, of Black Watch tartan, unmarked.  Includes a khaki cotton kilt apron for field service, which has stamped markings on the interior.  

Lot further includes a pair of gray wool knit hose tops, 1914 dated highland gaiters, a blue wool Glengarry dated 1915, and a Glengarry with Seaforth Highlanders badge.  This has normal wear along the edges and on the ribbon tail. 

$500 - $700

Regulation pattern light gray wool flannel pullover shirt has the blue and white striped standing collar introduced in August 1914. Bib front placket closes with tin utility buttons and a strip of white cotton at the base. Has a London costume house label sewn in the collar, BroadArrow stamp visible in the neck.  The 'grayback' shirt was standard issue in the British Army for many years before the war and continued in service throughout the conflict. Despite being issued in the hundreds of thousands, these very utilitarian shirts tended to be used until used up, with only a lucky few to be found in private collections or museums today. The gray issue shirt makes an enlisted 'Gor Blimey' cap appear almost common by comparison!  This excellent example appears to be unissued. $800-$1200

British WWI Issue Gray Flannel Shirt

Regulation pattern natural gray wool flannel pullover shirt has the blue and white striped standing collar introduced in August 1914. Bib front placket closes with tin utility buttons and a strip of white cotton at the base. Has maker's firm " STOLLERY, FIFIELD, & MANTLE" in the collar, The 'grayback' shirt and later war was standard issue in the British Army for many years before the war and continued in service throughout the conflict with the natural gray shade coming in to use later in the war. Despite being issued in the hundreds of thousands, these very utilitarian shirts tended to be used until used up, with only a lucky few to be found in private collections or museums today. The gray issue shirt makes an enlisted 'Gor Blimey' cap appear almost common by comparison!  This excellent example shows very little use.

$800-$1200

British WWI Rifle Brigade Soldier's Uniform Group with Issue Shirt

A nice extensive grouping with P07 service coat, greatcoat, issue trousers, and the very scarce 'grayback' issue shirt, though it survives with only with a former owner's notation that the soldier's identity was "R. Morgan".  

Pattern 07 service dress coat of khaki wool has the 'double-dart' construction feature between the collar and rifle patches, "RB" Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) Regiment shoulder titles, Lance Corporal rank chevrons, three (faded from blue to khaki) overseas service chevrons, and a well-worn pistol lanyard.  Interior has a mix of natural and drab canvas facings and pockets, with a good portion of the paper label remaining.  Issue trousers have the doubled suspender buttons used after June 1915, and are double-stitched at the pocket bases.  Interior white cotton lining has BroadArrow issue stamp in the waist.  His issue greatcoat includes features of the wartime produced 1902 pattern such as turnback cuffs, but omits the pocket interior tabs.  

The featured item, though is this regulation pattern light gray wool flannel pullover shirt with the blue and white striped standing collar introduced in August 1914. Bib front placket closes with tin utility buttons and a strip of white cotton at the base. The front remains nice, though there is a patch of moderate moth damage on the reverse.

Even without an ID or provenance, the similarity in soil and wear suggests the plausibility that the components of this set have been together since the war, and finding sets that still include the particularly scarce elements such as the issue shirt and trousers does add weight to that idea. 

$2500 - $3500

Issue pair, a simplified version of the Pattern 1915, with eyelets and speed lacers, terminating in a single strap and billet closure aound the top.  This example has one missing and several broken speedlacer fittings, soles with hobnails, heel rims, and toe plates.  A toe plate is loose and hanging on by a single nail on the right side boot.  Leather shows wear and age but remains in good displayable condition.  Interior has "1917" dated marking on the sole.  $200-$300

Single example (left) boot has a distinctive smooth leather toe cap over rough-out brown leather with sewn construction and riveted at the vamp, with punched BroadArrow marking on the upper side and size markings on the tongue.  Sole has size marking, with hobnails, heel rim, and toe plate.  Brass eyelets have a hint of verdigris that will need to be periodically addressed, complete with an original leather thong lace.  Though a single, an excellent example of this scarce boot in fine condition.

Pattern 9902/1918, 8 May 1918, saw the introduction of “Boots ankle, clump sole with toe case”. This boot was introduced for troops in Italy and per a conference in France in July 1918 was intended to be issued in France as well.  $500-$700

These British B5 boots are both of black leather with BroadArrow pierced markings on the upper sides, each features seven pairs of eyelets, and are fitted with leather thong laces.  Stitching is weak and has given way on the pull tab on the right boot. They show similar wear, right down to the matched overpronation wear to the inside portion of the toe caps on each boot.  However, they are two distinctly different examples; the right with iron rivets and brass eyelets, and the left with black Japanned rivets and eyelets.  The left also appears to be a half size smaller.  Given the uniform wear pattern, these could very easily be a set of B5 boots that served the same soldier, as many of us have feet that are slightly different sizes, though rarely enough to bother with procuring footwear to exactly shoe each of Shank's ponies.  Regardless, they are each good examples of the scarce B5 trench boot, and would absolutely display as a pair.  $1000-$1500

A matched pair of brown rough-out leather issue shoes have pierced BroadArrow marking on the sides and pierced markings on the tongue, illegible markings on the sole.  'Billed' sole has hobnails, toe and heel plates.  These show wear and soil but remain in very good overall condition.  As they were originally constructed of heavily oiled leather, they require some maintenance - specifically, the periodic need to address minor verdigris buildup around the eyelets.  Lacks only laces.  Originals are quite scarce, and originals in good displayable condition as these are are doubly so.

The British Army officially approved and began issuing the B5 pattern boots in May 1915. These boots were created in response to wartime requirements for more rapid and efficient production, featuring plain brown leather and riveted construction to conserve materials. The B5 boots then became the standard issue footwear for British and Commonwealth troops, seeing widespread use through 1916 to the end the conflict.  $1500-$2000

Brown pebblegrain leather with seven pairs of eyelets, markings on the sole though they are illegible, and BroadArrow markings on the tongue.  These conform to the official pattern, but are likely a commercially produced pair, with the later style triple sole fitted with hobnails.  These also have toe plates and heel rims.  Leather remains in excellent condition, lacks laces.

The B2 was introduced in 1913 and was produced through mid-1916 concurrent with the B5 that was introduced in 1915.  Due to wartime shortages, both brown and black leather was used.  $1500-$2000

British WWI Memorial Plaque: James Henry Buffey, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Bronze memorial plaque with original carton; "JAMES HENRY BUFFEY".  Records indicate that Private Buffey served in the 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and was killed in action on August 25, 1917.  He was buried at Perth Cemetery in Ypres.  Has an old dealer's informative price sticker on the reverse.  

$100 - $150

Includes Canadian Prince of Wales Regiment of Fusiliers buckle, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry buckle, a single "CANADA" shoulder title, Artillery specialist badge, and nine cap badges of which seven are British, one Canadian, and one Australian.  

Medals include a War Medal and Victory Medal pair with rim impressed to Private "H.C. SANSOM" of the Notts & Derby Regiment, unmounted ribbons.  Also, a War Medal and Victory Medal pair with rim impressed "LIEUT. T.F. MORRISON", with ribbons mounted to a suspension bar.  Special Constabulary Service Medal isa George V issue, impressed on rim "LIEUT. HUGH A. CARTER".  Lastly, a War Medal and Victory Medal pair of miniatures.

$100 - $200

British WWI Chaplain's Insignia & Pocket Gospel Lot

A collector-assembled lot for display, includes an original photograph of a British Army Chaplain, one cap badge, one collar badge, and a 1914-1915 Gospel of Saint Luke.

$50 - $100

British steel helmet is the early 'rimless' variety.  Retains 80% tectured olive finish; interior has a nice complete second pattern liner with felt crown pad intact.  Lacks the paper tag, and the chinstrap suffers from red rot.  $100-$200

British WWI issue helmet has third pattern Brodies liner with fully intact felt crown pad and a nice pliable brown leather chinstrap.  Excellent finish inside and out - a particularly nice example.  $100-$150

A nice example, has 80%+ olive finish.  Interior has an excellent, intact third pattern liner with gray felt crown pad and a nice condition chinstrap.  Lacks only the paper tag.  $100-$150

Both of these are 'rimless' WWI British helmets, but each have heavily worn black painted finish.  One has a commercially altered liner with the third pattern style 'donut' in the crown, complete with brown leather chinstrap.  The second has a thick crown pad with a broken black leather chinstrap.  I recall that back in the 1990's a number of these turned up in Britian that had been refurbished for use as police / fire brigade helmets after their military service careers were over.  Few still exist in that configuration as they were snapped up by reenactors to be refitted once more as Great War helmets for living history.  $100-$150

British WWI issue helmet has second pattern Brodies liner with largely intact felt crown pad with instruction tag and a nice pliable brown leather chinstrap.  Retains 80%+ textured finish, oxidized patina where worn.  Chinstrap has a soldier's initials.  $100-$150

Two WWI British helmet shells, neither of which retains liner or chinstrap.  Both have dark olive exterior finishes.  One has a clearly visible red arrow on blue rectangle formation sign designating 2nd Canadian Division Machine Gun Battalion.  $100-$200

British / Commonwealth WWI Helmet Lot: Three Helmets

Three WWI British / Commonwealth Helmets:  First example has nice khaki textured finish; interior has third pattern liner with felt crown pad intact and a broken chinstrap.  Second has dark textured olive finish with oxidation showing through the worn areas; interior has second pattern liner with felt crown pad largely intact, chinstrap is a replacement.  Third has worn but good exterior finish; interior has third pattern liner with the felt crown pad missing, as is the 'donut' rubber cushion element.  Chinstrap on this one is also replaced. 

$100 - $200

British helmet has dark patina and traces of dark olive finish; sides have faint but legible painted formation signs that appear to be a rectangle divided into thirds: green, black (or dark blue) and green.  Interior is similarly rough with a very well-worn second pattern liner and a replacement black rubberized fabric chinstrap that is now quite inflexible.  I had a look through Kevin Beckhurst's reference on formation signs and did not locate this one, but am thoroughly convinced that it is original to the helmet.  $100 - $150

British helmet has dark olive textured finish; sides have clear painted horizontal red line formation signs.  Interior has third pattern Brodies liner which lacks the felt crown pad, chinstrap is intact and pliable.  I had a look through Kevin Beckhurst's reference on formation signs which revealed that there are several candidates - at least five different units utilized this simple formation sign for identification.  $200 - $300

Very early production rimless Brodies helmet has 60% early (and only) apple green painted finish.  Interior has worn but intact brown leather chinstrap with buckle adjustment, and a complete first pattern Brodies liner.  These early, true first pattern Brodies helmets are rarely available on the market, and are one of the true collectors' 'holy grail' pieces of First World War headgear.  $1000-$1500

Brodies with a nice complete third pattern liner is fitted with a faded khaki field camouflage cover painted with a red inverted triangle formation sign on one side.  The cover is stretched taut over the crown, exhibiting rust stains from prolonged close contact with the helmet and some minor worn / weak spots along the edge.  Without unduly disturbing this relationship, I have gently loosened it just enough to get a small pen light in to see if there was a matching painted formation sign on the helmet side (there is not).  

Per the Kevin Beckhurst reference, this formation sign could actually apply to a few different units over time, but assuming the helmet with the 3rd pattern liner is original to the cover, which very much appears to be the case, the precludes some earlier uses of the insignia and leads to the conclusion that this designates 12th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.  $1000-$1500

Includes cap cover with Royal Army Clothing Department sealed sample tag listing pattern date 1912 and subsequent notations dating into the early 1930's.  Second, the Pattern 8180/1914 "cover, cap, waterproof" for use with "caps, winter, service dress", of khaki rubberized fabric with folding ear cape and twill tape ties.  Third, a water repellent khaki canvas cap cover with neck cape and tape ties, nicely marked on the crown interior.  Fourth, a khaki rubberized fabric cap cover with nickel finish snap fittings and a long neck cape.  $100 - $150