THE PRINCE OF WALES (LATER EDWARD VIII) OFFICER'S SWORD & RECORD OF SERVICES

THE SWORD BY HENRY WILKINSON, PALL MALL, LONDON, NUMBER 44744, DATED 'AUGUST 1914', THE RECORD OF SERVICES SIGNED AT WARLEY BARRACKS, ESSEX, DATED 10 AUGUST 1914

Details

THE PRINCE OF WALES (LATER EDWARD VIII) OFFICER'S SWORD & RECORD OF SERVICES
THE SWORD BY HENRY WILKINSON, PALL MALL, LONDON, NUMBER 44744, DATED 'AUGUST 1914', THE RECORD OF SERVICES SIGNED AT WARLEY BARRACKS, ESSEX, DATED 10 AUGUST 1914
The first of Grenadier 1854 Pattern, with bright steel blade, regulation nickel-plated hilt bearing the regimental insignia, wire-bound rayskin-covered grip, and original brown leather scabbard with frog, the sword and scabbard each in fine condition throughout; the second an 'Army Form B. 199. / RECORD OF SERVICES', filled in by hand including 'Name and Address of next of kin...' which is noted as "His Majesty, The King, Buckingham Palace, London", signed, dated and noting rank as "2nd Lieut." and regiment as "1st Batt. Grenadier Guards", with remains of envelope
The first with 32 1/4 in. (82cm.) blade
The blade etched with the 'GR V' Royal cypher, battle honours and regimental insignia of the Grenadier Guards, the crest and monogram of Edward, Prince of Wales, and the date 'AUGUST 1914'

Provenance

(Sword) Sotheby's, Paris, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, 27 February 1998, Lot 1436
(Papers) Phillips, London, 12 June 1998, Lot 305

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Lot Essay

This summer witnesses the centenary of the start of the First World War with Great Britain having declared war on 4 August 1914. Six days later on 10 August, Edward, A.C.G.A.P.D. Prince of Wales, K.G. took up his commission in the Grenadier Guards as witnessed by these papers and the commission date on the sword. It was considered too much of a risk for him to see front line service, the worry that he could be captured and used as a hostage echoing through the years to more recent debates surrounding Prince Harry and his deployments to war zones. Although he longed to serve in the trenches he was attached to the army headquarters staff where he fulfilled a morale boosting role, and much to his embarrassment was awarded the Military Cross in 1916.

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