Special Collections

Sold on 19 September 2003

1 part

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The fine collection of attributed British Officers' Swords formed by Hal Giblin

Hal Giblin

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Lot

№ 995

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19 September 2003

Hammer Price:
£180

Captain Robert Edward Angus, Ayrshire Yeomanry, and an original member of No. 64 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, killed in aerial combat over Cambrai 20th November 1917

1887 pattern Heavy Cavalry officer’s sword, blade 87cm retailed by Hamburger Rogers, King Street, Covent Garden, London, etched with VR cypher, foliage &c., scroll steel guard, fish-skin covered grip bound with silver wire, the guard engraved ‘Lieu. [sic] R. E. Angus 1st. Ayrshire Yeo.’, in its leather covered field service scabbard, blade cleaned over old pitting, plating worn on hilt £200-250

Robert Edward Angus, was born in May 1894, the only son of James Angus JP, of Ochiltree House, Ayr, and was educated at Loretto College, leaving there in 1914. At Easter 1914, he joined the Ayrshire Yeomanry, and at the outbreak of war was mobilised with them. He fought at Gallipoli in 1915, and later in Egypt, both with his regiment and with the armoured cars. In 1917 he joined the Royal Flying Corps and went to France with his squadron in October of that year. On 20 November 1917, he was killed in aerial combat during the Battle of Cambrai. Flying DH5 A9335, he left the aerodrome at 7 a.m. on ground patrol, and was later posted missing, last seen in combat over Bullecourt. His death was later confirmed by the Germans. Captain Angus has no known grave and is commemorated by name on the Flying Services Memorial, Arras.