Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An 1897 pattern solid patent tang infantry officer’s sword for Thomas Algernon Fitzgerald Foley, Norfolk Regiment who fell in action in October 1914, the straight 83cm dumbbell section blade by Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London, no. 42372 (for 1909) etched with crowned Royal Arms and cypher, owner’s initials ‘T.A.F.F.’ and within a cartouche the family crest (a lion, sejant, rampant, or, between the paws an escutcheon, charged with the family arms) and motto ‘Ut prosim’ (That I may be of use), regulation plated guard incorporating the Royal cypher, fully chequered back-strap and vulcanised grips, complete with its plated steel scabbard with two hanging rings, grip lacking silver wire binding otherwise good condition £200-250

The Wilkinson proof books record sword number 42372 as a patent tang infantry for T A F Foley, Norfolk Regiment, 12th. October 1909.

Lieutenant Thomas Algernon Fitzgerald Foley, 1st. Battalion Norfolk Regiment, was born on 29th. December, 1889, at Egerton Gardens, London, SW. The only son of Vice-Admiral Francis John Foley he was educated at Eton and from there passed direct into the RMC Sandhurst in 1908, he distinguished himself both at Eton and Sandhurst, passing first in order of merit in the Junior Trials at the latter and passing out sixth, was gazetted a 2nd. Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment in September 1909 and Lieutenant in October 1911.

August 1914 found his battalion stationed in Belfast, where they were mobilised and departed for the front on the 14th., landing at Havre and within a few days were in action at Dour, in Belgium, and beginning with the retreat from Mons, Lieutenant Foley was in every action till he fell at Festubert on 25th. October 1914.

The following account of the circumstances was given by the Colonel and others. “He had just made a most gallant advance to the trenches with his men under a very heavy fire, and had reached there safely. He was in the very foremost of the British lines when he fell, and he died at the head of his men, driving back a most desperate attack by overwhelming numbers of the enemy. he was buried, like a soldier, where he fell. The actual place where he was laid to rest is close to the most advanced trenches, as our line in that part of the battlefield has not advanced a yard since the day when he fell, gallantly defending it.”

His grave could not be located after the war and he is now commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. He was 24 years of age.

Sold with extensive research.