Original British Victorian Named Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) Scarlet Officer's Dress Tunic with Buff Belt - Edward Downes Bally OBE & Order of the Red Eagle
In stock
 Scarlet Officer's Dress Tunic with Buff Belt - Edward Downes Bally OBE & Order of the Red Eagle)
-
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding scarlet officer’s dress tunic for a Captain in the Somerset Light Infantry. The nametag under the collar identifies the uniform to Captain & later Major Edward Downes Bally OBE, a recipient of the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle 4th Class, the Order of the British Empire, and was mentioned in despatches on several occasions. He fought during the Boer Wars, and was in the employ of the Egyptian Army in 1911, then serving there during World War I and being mentioned in despatches for operations in Egypt, including Sollum, at the engagement at Agagir on 26/2/1916. The tunic comes with his original white buff officer’s belt with a great Somerset Light Infantry buckle.
Note: The Order of the Red Eagle shown in the first photo is NOT included. This is a photograph from the Order's Wikipedia page, which lists Bally as a recipient.
The tunic is in very good condition and features original gilt bullion embroidered Somerset Light Infantry insignia on the collar. The large braided shoulder boards bear three pips, denoting the rank of Captain. Bally first enlisted in 1900, and was made a Lieutenant in 1901. He was promoted to Captain in 1909, which is when this tunic would be from. He was made a Major in 1915. There is a maker’s tag under the collar for Hawkes & Co. at 14 Piccadilly. W., with the name under reading Capt. E.D. Bally.
The interior lining has some tearing as shown but has held up well overall. The upper and lower hook and loop closures are intact, and the left breast still retains some award loops for the attachment of a ribbon bar or perhaps a Prussian Order of the Red Eagle.
During World War I, Bally served as Major with the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade as well as with the Somerset Light Infantry. He received the OBE for Services in Egypt during the war. Bally served with the Egyptian Army, first in 1911, then was in Darfur in 1916 and Egypt in 1917. He was awarded the Sudan Medal in 1910 with clasp for Darfur.
The white buff belt is in great shape with a fantastic officer’s Somerset Light Infantry belt and buckle. The buckle is stamped 53 for the size.
This is an outstanding identified uniform & belt set for a grizzled combat veteran of the Somerset Light Infantry, having been awarded the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle just a few years before he would fight in a war against the Imperial German Empire! Comes ready for further research and display!
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 8"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14"
Chest width: 16”
Waist: 14.5"
Hip: 16.5"
Front length: 31"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
