1892 British M1827 Rifle officer’s ‘Sword of Honour’, attributed to British Army Brigadier-General C. R. Bradshaw, by Wilkinson Sword of London.

Sword features shagreen and wire twist grip on a pierced steel guard carrying a Queen’s Crown strung bugle cypher and original brown leather field knot with period shipping tag marked ‘BRADSHAW KINGBURGH ORPINGTON KENT ENGLAND’. Finely etched 82.2cm blade with Queen’s royal cypher and display panel etched ‘ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE, DECEMBER,1892 SWORD OF HONOR UNDER-OFFICER C.R. BRADSHAW’, with geometric and foliage patterned surrounds, back edge carries Wilkinson ledger serial #31947. Blade is generally bright but has some storage water surface damage, mainly towards the point. Field scabbard of light brown leather. This scarce ‘Sword of Honour, awarded to the Royal Military Colleges top graduating cadet officer is in good condition, measures 99cm and comes with copy research document and photo of the General with his father and brother, all in military attire. A rare piece, this being the first Victorian era sword of honour we have seen for sale. Ex. Spink & Son Auctioneers, London, where his medals were sold.

Brigadier-General Charles Richard Bradshaw was born in Delhi on 18/1/1873 and baptised at Simla, Bengal on 21st March, the son of Lady Ellen and Surgeon Major-General Sir Alexander Frederick Bradshaw. His father had been serving in India for many years (having in fact been a defender of Lucknow during the Mutiny) and was, in time, to become a personal friend of Lord Roberts of Kandahar. Educated at the Royal Military College Sandhurst, Bradshaw excelled during the course and was awarded the much-coveted Sword of Honour. He was subsequently commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) on 18/7/1893. Transferring to the Indian Establishment, Bradshaw was promoted Lieutenant on 8/1/1896 while serving with the 9th Bengal Infantry and further advanced to Captain on 19/7/1902. Already performing a staff role, here he was promoted to Major as an Indian Army Staff Officer on 19/7/1911. Serving with the 9th Gurkha Rifles by 1914 the Army List for that year places Bradshaw as a Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General in India from 18/11/1912. He transferred to Aden just before the outbreak of war becoming General Staff Officer, Grade 2, with the Aden Brigade. As a Staff Officer with the Aden Brigade Bradshaw was instrumental in planning the British attack upon Sheikh Said in November 1914. The 29th Indian Infantry Brigade was re-routed from their destination of Egypt to undertake the operation, along with the 23rd Sikh Pioneers. Their goal was Sheikh Said, opposite the British held Island of Perim which lay between Africa and Arabia on the route to the Suez. This vital island was threatened by Turkish troops stationed at Sheikh Said and their positions needed to be stormed as soon as possible. Bradshaw formulated a plan and sailed with the British force under Brigadier-General Cox to undertake it. However, it is possible he didn't take part in the action itself as a request was made to Delhi for a Political Officer to join Bradshaw in a mission to the Arabian tribes at Sheikh Said, the goal of which was to assure them that the attack was not directed at them but at their Ottoman overlords. No reply was forthcoming from Delhi and it is likely that Bradshaw conducted this vital and dangerous mission alone. Continuing to serve throughout the war Bradshaw undertook exemplary service which resulted in being twice 'mentioned' - once on 4/7/1916 while serving in India and again on 27/8/1918 in Mesopotamia while serving as an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel. Confirmed in this rank he was again 'mentioned' after the war (during the 1919-20 Waziristan operations) while serving as an acting Brigadier-General with 1st Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles. Later promoted Colonel-Commandant of the 9th Gurkha Rifles, Bradshaw was appointed Area Commander of the Zhob Area in Baluchistan on 21/11/1923. He retired on 5/6/1928 and lived at 182 Etterick Road, Poole, Dorset, taking up a role in Civil Defence until 30/8/1940 when he died. Bradshaw's two brothers both served as well, with his elder brother Frederick reaching the rank of Lieutenant-General and winning the D.S.O., and his younger brother Arthur being killed in action whilst serving with the 14th Jat Lancers in Flanders, 1914.