10th Royal Hussars Majors Mess Jacket

[Peter Brydon]

I bought this Mess jacket this morning mainly for the collar badges. The makes label inside has the name Captain B.C. Greenwood 10-7-56 on it. Looking in an Army List there is a Lieutenant ( T/Capt ) B.C. Greenwood listed in the 10th Royal Hussars.

The jacket has mounted Prince of Wales feathers buttons on the cuffs and shoulders and the collar badges which are die cast and very small,at first looked as it they had been blackened but after a light polish, turned out to be toned silver which suggests a high silver content.

I presume this size and type of collar badge was only worn on mess kit.

P.B.

[1stTankie]

[QUOTE=Peter Brydon
I presume this size and type of collar badge was only worn on mess kit.

P.B.[/QUOTE]

Hi Peter

Correct. I have a Mess jacket just like it. Nice find!

Best wishes

Gordon

[Peter Brydon]

Thanks Gordon,

Peter

[conservator]

Peter,

Here are some biographical details from The Army List, Parts 1, 2, 3 & Gradation lists (various dates) that you may find of interest:

Greenwood, Bernard Charles. Born 15/1/27. In ranks 1 yr 21 days.

(Emergency Commission to 22/10/48).

2 Lt - 28/9/45 (War Substantive Lt - 28/3/46) (10 Hussars).

Lt - 15/1/48 (23/10/48).

Temp Capt - 18/5/49 to 18/10/49; 21/11/49 to 3/3/50; 23/10/50 to 31/12/50; 5/3/51 to 1/1/53 & 18/7/53 to 5/5/54.

Capt - 15/1/54 (6/5/54).

Maj - 15/1/61.

Lt Col - 30/6/68 (CO 10th Royal Hussars).

GSO 2, HQ, BAOR 5/11/52 to 15/4/66.

CO 10 H 5/3/68 to 24/10/69.

GSO 1 (W) DS RMCS 13/11/69 to 7/2/73.

AMS MS6 5/4/73 to 27/6/74. (Assistant Military Secretary).

CO & CI Armour School, RAC Centre - 6/7/74. (Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor).

He looks to have retired around 1977.

Successfully completed Army Staff Course, Div 1 or Div 2, at Royal Military College of Science Shrivenham and the Staff College, Camberley. (1972).

Successfully completed Technical Staff Course, at RMCS Shrivenham. (1961 or 1962).

Successfully completed a course at the RAC School of Tank Technology in Tank Technology (Mechanical), (Gunnery) or (Mechanical and Gunnery) or at the RAC Advanced Course after 1960. (1954).

George

[Peter Brydon]

George,

Fantastic, many thanks for the information.

Unfortunately the jacket does not fit into my collection but how much more interesting an anonymous items becomes when you know about the original owner.

Makes you wonder where the jacket was from 1977 until now.

Thanks again.

Regards

Peter

[manchesters]

Peter,

Probably worth more not stripped, with the extra info.

regards

[Peter Brydon]

Simon,

I would not strip it, it is just that the collars are ( to me at least ) the most interesting part of the item.

I was thinking before,why in the light of the further information does it not have Lt.Colonels insignia on the shoulders and I wondered if he decided either to leave the jacket as it was in the light of the forthcoming amalgamation, when a new mess kit might have been required, or did he treat himself to a new Mess kit on his promotion.

Peter

[manchesters]

Peter,

Definately a brand spanking new bit of kit for the promotion dinner.

regards

[rhussar]

Small world. Bernard was an old family friend and my Brother's godfather! He and my father served together in the 10th - my father commanded the Regiment before Bernard. He would not have added a pip on promotion to Lt Col as the officers adopted a new pattern Mess Dress in the early to mid 1960s. I also have the same collar badges which were also worn by SNCOs on mess dress and were carried forward in RH on NCOs Mess Dress and then in KRH. FYI I may have a photo of Bernard wearing the jacket.