8th Gurkha Rifles - Capt Willcox

[gurkharifles]

I was delighted to have been able to purchase this inscribed letter opener to Capt H.F. Willcox 8th Gurkha Rifles. Twice it was listed on ebay and twice I bid on it only for it to disappear after the ebay police determined it was a knife. As you can see from the photos ( button is for scale ) its clearly a letter opener but apparently somehow it kept falling foul of the "law" much to my frustration - on the third time it was listed I persuaded the seller to change it to a "buy it now" before it could be taken down again. It's a beautifully made miniature Kukri and dated on the reverse of the blade - "QUETTA 9.1943" I'm not sure what significance the 9 before the 1943 is ( any ideas? ) - but Quetta was the Regimental Training Centre for the 8GR having moved there in 1942. Also I've not been able to find out anything about Capt Willcox - any help would be gratefully received especially if you send me any information in an envelope - keen to make use of my new letter opener!!

[leigh kitchen]

Possibly.......


First Name:
H F
Surname:
Willcox
Nationality:
British
Information:
Emergency Commission (Indian Army).
Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Rank (2nd):
War Substantive Lieutenant
Service:
British Army
Regiment:
Indian Army
Seniority Date:
12/12/1942
Collection:
UK Army List 1945

[leigh kitchen]

Another possible -
Supplement to The London Gazette, 7th April 1964:

Brigade of Gurkhas
6GR
Regular Army Reserve of Officers
Capt. (Hon. Major) HF Willcox (412454)
Having attained the age limit ceases to belong to the Reserve of Officers 6th April 1964.

Could the "9" on the blade refer to a course number in 1943?

[gurkharifles]

Many thanks Leigh - I like the idea of the 9 as well. Tim

[Khyber]

9 may mean September.

[gurkharifles]

That thought had occurred to me too - but unless more definitive information comes to light I guess we'll never know. Tim