Peter Wilson Fine Art Auctioneers Ltd
Lot 166
Kings Own Staffordshire Rifles 1822 pattern sword and scabbard, retailed by Newton & Chambers London, with VR monogram to blade, reputed to be ex Donnington Hall, 100cm overall length. When the current owner acquired this sword he was informed that it had originally been purchased from a 1985 sale at Doddington Hall, near Nantwich. The auction was for the clearance of Goudhurst Ladies College which occupied Donnington Hall from 1946 until its closure in 1985. Donnington Hall had been the long time home of the Delves Broughton family. During the second world war the Hall and its ground had become home to the Free French forces and then the American forces. Following the war, the Nissan Huts became the home to displaced persons. Following this the Hall had been turned into an exclusive girls school. Sir Delves Louis Broughton (b-1857-d1914) Became a Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion Prince of Wales (North Staffordshire) Regiment. The linage of the The King's Own (3rd Staffordshire) shows that they were formed at Lichfield on 5th April 1853 as the 73rd or the Kings Own (3rd Staffordshire) Militia and by June of the same year, the title had changed to the 73rd or the Kings Own (3rd Staffordshire) Rifles. On 1 July 1881 they became, following the Childers Reforms, the 4th Battalion The Prince of Wales (North Staffordshire) Regiment. It would appear that Lieutenant Delves Louis Broughton, (he did not succeeded to the title until 26 February 1899) first joined the King's Own Staffordshire Rifles and was promoted to Lieutenant around 1881.
