Original WW1 British Army Captain's Shoulder rank Uniform Jacket Named to Capt W M (William Mabisse) Beckwith DSO, dated 1915.
William "Bill" Beckwith was a veteran of the Boer War (where he was wounded), and was granted the DSO and mentioned in despatches 3 times during WW1, and also awarded the (Italian) Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus.
He rose the the rank of Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel as a staff officer - full history below.
The jacket has dark brass metal shoulder rank pips for a captain. Brass Coldstream Guards buttons throughout, except for the standard flat under belt button - all buttons present.
Front buttons in the standard pairs pattern as worn by the Coldstream Guards.
Makers label for T & F French, London and named to Beckwith and dated on the label.
Condition is fair - there is good amount of fraying at the bottom of the jacket and on one pocket and 2 small moth holes on the back but the rest of the jacket is in very good condition.
Chest is approx 38 inches. Measures 19.5 inches armpit to armpit and 17.5 inches from armpit to cuff.
The final listing photo is taken from Tatler magazine in 1935 which featured Bill.
The whereabouts of his medals is unknown.
Supplied with a pack of research materials.
William ‘Bill’ Beckwith was born on 20th August 1877. He attended Eton, leaving in 18?? and then New College Oxford.
He served in the Boer War in South Africa, being badly wounded at Magersfontein. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa medal with 2 Battle/Defence clasps (Belmont and Modder River).
He was an Adjutant with the Coldstream Guards from July 1901 to April 1904 whilst aLieutenant.
He was mobilised in August 1914 and arrived in France on the 15th October 1914.
He was appointed/promoted to :
- 2nd Lieutenant - 4th January 1899 - Lieutenant- 11th February 1900
- Captain - 3rd February 1907
- Major- 17th July 1915
- Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
He moved into the General Staff as an officer (2nd grade) at the War Office on 26th august 1916.
He progressed to become a 1st grade staff Officer and relinquished his title of temporary Lieut-Colonel on the 6th April 1919.
He was awarded the DSO in the King’s Birthday Honours List on 3rd June 1916 (Gazette issue 29608) for Distinguished Service in the Field.
He was mentioned in Despatches during WW1 on 3 separate occasions :
- France 1916, for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field (Gazette issue 29623)
- France 15th May 1917, for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty (Gazette issue 30072)
- Italy 28th May 1918, for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty (Gazette issue 30711).
He was awarded the (Italian) Order of St.Maurice and St. Lazarus by the King of Italy on 10th September 1918 (Gazette issue 30895) .
