Code: 12139
The Wilkinson infantry officers sword of Arthur Langston Pilleau. 10th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.
Fiited with an 1845 pattern blade, proved on February 20th 1885. Ten years later it was rehilted in line with dress regulations for the 1895 pattern hilt. This configuration is quite sought after.
The sword is well used, having been carried and service sharpened. The 1895 pattern pattern infantry officers guard with even patina, as have the fully chequered backpiece and domed pommel. The shagreen grips with service wear, and bound with twistwire.
The single fullered 1845 pattern blade measuring 32.5 inches, and has been service sharpened. Wilkinson makers details, and proof slug to either ricasso. Etched with Pilleau's family crest, and latin motto within a cartouche, along with crowned VR cypher, and the usual foliate decoration. The blade has been service sharpened, and repointed during its service career, and now shows areas of staining, light pitting, and old corrosion.
It is housed in its original field service scabbard, with sam brown frog. The scabbard shows signs of some service repair, noticably to the drag, which is rather floppy.
Pilleau was born on the 6th November, 1863, the only son of Arthur Pilleau of Bristol. He was educated at Clifton College, a private boarding school in Bristol and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurs as a Lieutenant in the Bombay Staff Corps in 1885, and he served in the Tirah expedition. and later joined the 2nd Bombay Lancers, being promoted to Captain in 1896.
He is credited with sketching an attack on Ad Dareja, southern Arabia: prepared by Captain A.L. Pilleau; Simla, August 1901.
In 1905 he retired from the Army after 20 years service and moved to The Grange, Marden. He was Chairman of the local Conservative Organisation and a churchwarden in St Michael‘s church. He attended a meeting on 26th February 1907 at which the vicar made a room available for a weekly club to be held for men. Major Pilleau was elected as treasurer of the club, to be known as the Marden Club.
In 1914, Pilleau , now aged 50 leaves retirement and rejoins the Army, being posted to the 10th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.
On the 5th of August 1915 he and the 10th Battalion land at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. On the morning of the 10th of August, the 10th Hants are part of an attack on a position known as"The Farm" a plateau high on the Sari Bair Ridge. It is during this assault that Major Pilleau is first reported as wounded, and later posted as missing. The unit suffered huge casualaties. His body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.
If you are looking for a mint condition example, this sword is not for you. However, if you want to buy a good example of a historic, practical, and obviously treasued fighting sword, to a long serving officer, who came out of retirement and made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his country, then you would struggle to better this one.
Strictly over 18's only. Photo ID will be required before this item can be dispatched. Please send this at the time of ordering, to prevent unnecessary delay in your order being dispatched.
