Victorian Boer War The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, Sold

In very good overall condition, a Victorian Boer War / Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment officer's sword, etched to Captain Norman Bruce Bainbridge, complete with two scabbards.

For full details of Captain Bainbridge, see further below. Briefly he served in the South African Boer War as a mounted infantry officer, and later through WW1 as an ordnance officer (see photo here). This sword would have been with him during his service throughout the Boer War. It bears an inscription for the "3rd V B West Riding Regiment" (AKA The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment) and the initials "NBB" (please note: the middle B is horizontal for styling).

The 32 1/4 inch blade is in very good condition, some patina spots (no many), etched to maker Hobson & Sons, firm in the hilt. The hilt / guard with rust speckles but overall good. The grip with wear but in very good condition for age / history. Remains of sword knot strap is aged. Both scabbards with wear; the steel scabbard with a kink, missing a throat screw and with tiny rust bubbles to plating; the leather field scabbard has a broken frog strap (the straps generally are well aged) and has dry shrunk so only fully sheathes with effort. Overall, both scabbard sound.

A great sword from a great officer. A true investment at only £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference Q76 (0401). Further / full sized images available upon request.

BAINBRIDGE, NORMAN BRUCE, Captain, was born 22 October 1869, second son of Colonel Sir E Bainbridge, KCB. He entered the West Riding Regt, 3 May 1890, becoming Lieutenant 1 December 1893, and Captain 21 October 1899. Captain Bainbridge served in the South African War, 1899-1901, employed with Mounted Infantry, and took part in the Siege of Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (21 to 26 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein. Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including operations near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including action at Reit Vlei; operations in Orange River Colony 30 November to December 1900; operations in Cape Colony December 1900, to January 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901], received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Norman Bruce Bainbridge, Captain, West Riding Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant, etc, were sent to the GOC, Transvaal, and presented by the GOC Forces, South Africa, 25 March, 1903. He was Adjutant, Army Ordnance Corps, 1 September 1901 to 30 April, 1903, and Ordnance Officer, 4th Class, 30 July 1901 to 30 April, 1903; Ordnance Officer, 3rd Class, 1 April 1907 to 23 October 1911; was promoted to Major 30 November 1908; was Ordnance Officer, 3rd Class, 24 February 1911 to 7 December 1914. He served in the European War; became Lieutenant Colonel 8 December 1914; was Ordnance Officer, 2nd Class, from 8 December 1914, and Ordnance Officer, 1st Class (temporary), from 27 May 1916, with the temporary rank of Colonel. He was created a CMG in 1917, and a CB in 1919. He married, in 1902, Dorothea Olivia Louisa, only daughter of the Reverend B Hale, of Wortham and they had one son and two daughters.
CB (m), CMG, DSO, QSA (6) RofK Paard Drief Johan D-H SA 01 (Capt DSO W Yorks) 1914-15 Star (Lt Col AOD), BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Col).
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)