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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)





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