My Irish Guards Album

[seanhath]

Dear all,
I have at last created an album for my Irish Guards cap star, and other related items collection.
I don’t have everything that’s out there, and I certainly don’t know everything.
I warmly welcome your comments, and greatly appreciate your advice etc.
Cheers,
Sean

[fougasse1940]

Nice. Your slidered badge is probably a Danbury Mint badge.

Rgds, Thomas

[seanhath]

Thank you.

[seanhath]

Charles Fitzclarence was the eldest son of the Hon. George FitzClarence RN, of Bishopscourt, Co. Kildare. His paternal grandfather was the 1st Earl of Munster, the eldest son of King William IV (late Duke of Clarence) by his mistress, Mrs Dorothea (or Dorothy) Jordan, an Irish actress. Fitzclarence completed an impressive aristocratic pedigree by marrying Violet Churchill, youngest daughter of Lord Alfred Spencer Churchill and granddaughter of the 5th Duke of Marlborough in 1900. He was no aristocratic dilettante, however.. From the start of his military career he showed every sign of ambition and seriousness of purpose. He was commissioned in the Royal Fusiliers from the Militia on 10 November 1886 and was still serving with the regiment when he won the Victoria Cross in the South African War for the relief of an armoured train near Mafeking. Shortly afterwards, however, he transferred to the Irish Guards, on their formation. FitzClarence passed Staff College in 1902. This is indicative of his ambition. He was not a natural staff officer or a natural scholar. His 1902 Confidential Report describes him as ‘not suited to heavy administrative office work’. ‘He is broad in his views rather than deep,’ the Report continued, ‘and has perceptive faculties rather than reflective. He is not a man of high mental power or educational qualifications, but he has the military instinct and is a leader of men.’ Tall, 6’ 2”, good looking and athletic, he also conformed to contemporary ideas of what a soldier should look like.
After passing Staff College, FitzClarence did a tour as Brigade Major, 5th Brigade, at Aldershot (April 1903-March 1906) before commanding 1st Battalion Irish Guards (July 1909-July 1913). On the eve of the Great War he was a 49-year old colonel, and had been in command of the 5th London Brigade TF (later 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division) for a year. His immediate career and life prospects were changed by the removal of Brigadier-General Ivor Maxse as GOC 1st (Guards) Brigade. FitzClarence succeeded him on 26 September 1914. The desperate fighting for Ypres in October gave FitzClarence the opportunity to confirm the verdict of his pre-war reports that he was ‘a thorough soldier, full of resource and decision, quick in grasping the points of any tactical problem in the Field’. It fell to him, at a vital moment, to order the counter-attack of the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at Gheluvelt, sending his Staff Captain, Andrew Thorne, to give the order in person to the battalion’s acting CO, Major E B Hankey. The Worcesters’ attack restored the British line and saved the day. FitzClarence was killed a fortnight later, on 12 November 1914, at Polygon Wood. He was the third British general to be killed in action or to die of wounds on the Western Front. He has no known grave.
Bourne, Centre for First World War Studies

8) Charles FitzClarence, Victoria Cross
Captain Charles FitzClarence, who was the grandson of the eldest of five illegitimate children born to William IV by his mistress “Mrs Jordan”, was awarded the VC for three acts of bravery during the Second Boer War.
The siege of Mafeking lasted from October 1899 to May 1900 when FitzClarence was on “special duty” in South Africa. On October 14, 1899, he was in charge of a squadron from the Protectorate Regiment, consisting of only partially-trained men who had never seen action. The men were sent to the assistance of an armoured train when they were surrounded by a far larger force. FitzClarence led his men so fearlessly that they not only relieved the train but inflicted a heavy defeat on the Boers, who lost 50 men.
Thirteen days later, FitzClarence led his men in a daring night-time attack on the enemy’s trenches. He was the first man into the trenches and in hand-to-hand fighting he killed four men with his sword, beheading one with a clean blow.. He was wounded but was saved from serious injury by his compass case.
On Boxing Day 1899, he distinguished himself again during an action near Mafeking despite being seriously injured by a bullet which passed through both legs. By the time the siege was raised, FitzClarence was known as the “Demon of Mafekeng”, or the “Demon”.
During the First World War, he served as a brigadier general and again distinguished himself in battle. However, on November 12, 1914, during an operation to recover trenches, FitzClarence halted his men and advanced alone. His men heard gunshots and then found him mortally wounded.
Three men carried him back to a safe area, but the “Demon” had experienced his final brush with the enemy.

[Alex Rice]

Great collection, thanks for taking the time to make up an album!

[scotch]

Great collection, thanks for sharing.

[grey_green_acorn]

Slidered badge looks like Birmingham Mint from the second set see

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=121260

Tim

[seanhath]

Thank you for your kind replies.

Tim, I think you’re correct and that this mysterious slidered Officers star is indeed part of this set!
Odd that it (the collection) was broken up. I was completely unaware of its existence. Everyday is indeed a school day!

[grenadierguardsman]

An outstanding Album.
Andy

[john badge]

Yes a very good album with some interesting items.