Rare Original Pre WW1 HLI Uniform Cutaway Jacket with beautiful sash & Trews Breeches Dated 1914 - named to the same man - Major William Malcolm Fleming-Hamilton
The jacket is really beautiful in a cutaway style amd with some features similar to a doublet (on the cuffs and ornate, buttoned lower pockets).
It has metal Kings Crown HLI collar badges, captains metal rank pips on the shoulders and brass KC HLI Buttons throughout.
Edges are rimmed in a gold bullion cord.
Jacket has a makers label for Sandilands & Son of Conduit St London and named to Cap W M F Hamilton HLI.
Jacket is approx 35 inch chest. It measures 18 inches from armpit to armpit when laid flat and 19 inches from armpit to cuff.
Jacket condition is generally very good, though with 2 loose seams on the back (see photo) and a small dark stain on one arm.
The ceremonial sash is also beautiful and in fantastic condition.
The Trews are named to Major M F Hamilton and with a makers label for Anderson & Sons of Edinburgh and are dated 1914 - the metal buttons are also Anderson branded.
Trousers are slim waisted and measure 15.5 inches across when laid flat - approx 30 inch waist. Inside leg 26 inches (designed for wearing inside riding boots
Trews condition is generally very good but with some wear on the inside of both legs, presumably from riding + a little bit of brown staining below the fly.
The Trews are made from a heavy wool and have a button fly and buttons at the ankles - all present.
Trews have a fish tail back for use with braces.
Overall this is a lovely uniform set
Major William Malcolm Fleming-Hamilton
He was born in 1869, was schooled at Eton and fought in both the Boer War and WW1.
He was a Justice of the Peace (JP) and Deputy Lieutenant (DL), and he was from Craichlaw, Wigtownshire, Scotland. He died in 1931
The London Gazette records his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the HLI as “Gentleman Cadet William Malcolm Fleming Hamilton … to be Second Lieutenant” — dated 14th August1889
He appears as Captain W. M. F. Hamilton in Boer War shipping records (troopship Galician, Sept 1902), and was made a temporary Major on 5th August at the outbreak of WWI.
In March 1922 he retired and is listed among the Highland Light Infantry officers shown as Major (retired pay) who ceased to belong to the Reserve of Officers.
