Pre-WW1 British Pattern 1892/95 Sword Of Charles Gough Ashton Commander 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment

1892 Pattern sword, re-hilted with the 1895 pattern hilt. In January of 1896, a new Pattern 1895 hilt was introduced, with orders that existing swords with the 1892 hilt were to be replaced with the newer pattern. The sword was originally purchased in 1892 by Lieutenant (Later Lt. Col. OBE) Charles Gough Ashton of The East Surrey Regiment prior to his posting to the 1st Battalion of that unit in Arga India in 1893, where he carried this sword. 

 Measuring 38 inches in total length, with a 32 1/4 inch, single edged, fullered blade with the leather washer in place. Proof marked to one side of the blade, with opposite side being manufacture marked, "Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London, partially faded from age. Blade is etched for 19 inches to both sides, with one side bearing the intertwined initials, "CGA", for Charles Gough Ashton with decorative etching and a King's Crown. The opposite side shows a Boars head crest with "Fide Et Amore" associated with the Conway family, meaning "By Fidelity And Love" in Latin, known in British Military history to reflect the values of loyalty and love in service. An etched King's Crown with sunburst and a coat of arms are above. The spine bears the serial number, 31490, with a copy of the page from Wilkinson, showing this number for the sword as ordered by Charles Gough Ashton. The decorative steel hilt is stamped, "Steel Hilt", with the wire wrapping to the shark skin grip being very tight, and in place, showing some expected wear. The sword shows wear and use, with the finish being grey in color, with some fine spotting and pitting marks being present. Housed in the nickel silver finished steel scabbard with 2 suspension rings. Expected wear and finish loss to the scabbard. The sword is accompanied with copies of research and history of Charles Gough Ashton Commander 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment. SKU: 63214

HISTORY:

Lt Col C C G Ashton, OBE, Commanding Officer - The East Surrey Regiment Commanded the 1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment from June 21,1919, to June 21, 1923.

Cecil Charles Gough Ashton, known as "Father" or "Uncle Dick" to his friends, was born on 17^th December 1870. He was commissioned in The East Surrey Regiment on 13^th August 1882 from RMC Sandhurst. He joined the 1^st Battalion at Agra in 1893 and served with the Battalion in India and UK.

From September 1908 to August 1911 he was seconded for service with the Royal West African Frontier Force. He commanded the Depot at Kingston from 1912 to August 1914. He then was appointed to raise, command and train the 7^th Battalion. On 22^nd April 1915 he was appointed to command the 2^nd Battalion at the start of the battle for Ypres 1915. 

On 25^th April he was wounded but remained in command. In August 1915 he was invalided to UK. He then commanded, in succession, a Service Battalion of The Gordon Highlanders and of The Royal Irish Rifles. He again commanded the 2^nd Battalion from 25^th April 1918. On 21^st June 1919 having brought the 2^nd Battalion (which had been reduced to a cadre) from Turkey back to the Depot he was transferred to command the 1^st Battalion which he led in England, North Russia, Ireland, Egypt and Sudan until 21^st June 1923.For his services during the 1914-18 War he was made an OBE and awarded the Greek Military Cross. He retired from the Army on 5^th January 1924. He died on 16^th December 1952.