Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers
Lot 159
A selection of early 20th century Court and Military tunics, with accoutrements, once belonging to Lt Col Robert Adolphus Lyal DSO (1876-1948). To include: a stunning, and apparently unused Levée pattern court tunic, beaver skin cocked hat, several pairs of matching trousers, a military frock coat, with Austrian knots to the front, and Lt Col Lyall’s pinned on medal ribbons. Notes: Lt Col Robert Aldolphus Lyall had a long and distinguished careers in both the Indian Army and civilian Indian political service. He was first commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on August 5th 1897, and originally served with the 1st Lancers. By 1902 he is noted as serving with the Indian Staff Corps at a Lieutenant, with a further promotion to Captain by 1912 (with this role being being noted as serving with the Indian Political Service). At the outbreak of WW1, he once again switched to a military role, this time being attached to the 2nd Kashmir Rifles, and holding the rank of Major. His WW1 medal index card notes that he first saw service in East Africa, serving from January 19th 1915. Surviving records state that he took part in the action at Lukigura River on June 24th 1916. Lyall was rewarded for his service with the award of his Distinguished Service Order in 1917. In the post WW1 era he took on further civilian roles, including being His Majesty’s Consul General for Kashgar from September 1924, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1944, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire in June 1945. His full medal entitlement, as referenced by the attached ribbons bars are; Distinguished Service Order, India Medal 1895-1902, 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Delhi Durbar Medal 1903, and the 1911 Coronation Medal. It’s believed that the court dress included in this lot dates from his time as HM Consul General in the mid 1920’s. The Levée court dress is made from a fine black wool body, with fine quality hand embroidered bullion oak leaf detail to the collar, cuffs, and lower back section. A number of the frosted gilt buttons are still covered in their original tissue paper wrapping, leading weight to the theory that is was never used. The bullion oak leaf work is exceptional, with minimal tarnishing or dulling to the bright finish. There are a a few tiny moth holes in places, which have occurred while the item as in storage, but are small enough so as not to be detrimental to its appearance. The beaver skin hat is of fine quality, with a black silk cockade, grosgrain ribbon and bullion braid detail. Ostrich feather plume applied to the crown, and a makers stamp to inside for W.A.Stimson 9 Hanover Square. Plus, a military frock coat, made in a lightweight black wool, with black Austrian knots and 10 ‘gimp’ buttons to the front face, and 2 to the back section - condition a little dusty in places, and a few moth nips, but on the whole very good. Also included is a fine gold brocade leather backed sword belt, with fire gilt buckle, 4 pairs of black woollen trousers, 3 with gold brocade lines to the edge (one with foot loops for use as jodhpurs), a black garrison cap with gold piping and 2 small general service buttons to the front (some moth holes and dusty condition), and a few loose accoutrements. Also some moth holes to the trousers.
