Bearskin hat with the tin

[Noor]

Here is one nice item, that is in my possession. It is missing badge but its still pretty much unique item as it is.

Also because the tin is named, I was able to start doing a research of this officer. Here is what I have found out so far:

Cecil Harley L’Estrange WEST (20.11.1890 - XX.07.1951)

Captain, 2nd Battalion

Royal Dublin Fusiliers

 

Cecil was born as a son of Langley Archer West and Caroline Lydia West on the 20th November 1890 in Dublin.

Their family had wealthy background; his father was jeweller by trade, they lived 89 Merrion Square and based on 1901 Census, they had their own cook and 4 house maids. Their family owned West Jewellers (Mess West & Son) which was last located on 33 Grafton Street.

West jewellers shop began its existence already in 1720 as West Sons on the city's Capel Street. It transferred to College Green in 1845 and to 102 Grafton Street in 1912. Queen Victoria gave West the royal warrant as her watchmaker, and once bought two replicas of the Tara Brooch from the company. The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was another customer. The company also created the original 22-carat gold chain of office used by the Lord Mayor of Dublin. West Jewellers moved to 33 Grafton Street in 1965. It was considered the oldest European jewellery store and one of the oldest companies in Ireland.

Cecil had brother Herbert Kenelm West (during the Great War he was Voluntary Ambulance Driver – received Croix de Guerre 1918 for gallantry) and Archer Beauchamp West (later Major in Royal Munster Fusiliers, he died in home 14 December 1920 due to the ill health conducted during the war) and daughter Ismé Ada West who died young age 1897.

Cecil Harley L’Estrange West was most likely educated in UK and he commissioned to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a Second Lieutenant 5^th October 1910. He was promoted to the rank Lieutenant 12^th February 1913.

When the Great War started Lieutenant West was serving in the 2nd Battalion of Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He landed in Boulogne at the 23rd August 1914 and found himself immediately middle of hectic retreat from Mons and Le Cateau area in Belgium where Dublin Fusiliers objective was to provide a rear guard force that would cover the retreating British Expeditionary Forces.

There is an interview with Corporal James O'Donnell, "D" Company who said:

"Just as the day was breaking of the morning of the 27th August, we got into a village called Ligny-En-Cambresis, where the peasants fed us with bread and water. It was all there was to be had and we were very glad to get it. We were two companies - "A" and "D" - of the Dublin at this time and about 30 or 40 stragglers from other regiments who had got separated from their fellow during the night. We were all in high spirits. Just at daylight we marched out of this village, and as we were marching along the road we were attacked on our left and front. It appeared that we had run into an ambush laid for us. The Germans entirely outnumbered us and their rifle fire was terrific though we hadn't many killed at the begging. I remember Lieut. Dobbs shouting in the Din "Come on boys; let us show them what we can do, although they have caught us." We were firing for all we were worth at this time and two men on my left were killed and an officer - Lieut. West - was wounded in the hand. We were surrounded and everybody realised that we had been trapped.

On the 12th September 1914 a local newspaper states:

"DUBLIN" OFFICERS MISSING”

Major Shewan, D.S.O., Captains R.L.H. Conlan and G.H. Higginson, and Lieutenants J.F.K. Dobbs, C.H.L.E. West and J.E. Vernon, all of the Dublin Fusiliers, are amongst the officer reported missing. Major Shewan was severely wounded at Colenso and played a distinguished part throughout the South African War. He was well known in Naas, where he spent some years at the depot. Captain Higginson was also very well known in Naas, having only recently left the depot.

Finally newspaper Kildare Observer from October 1914 reports: Mr. Langley Archer West, of Dublin, received on Monday two letters from his son Lieutenant Cecil Harley L’Estrange West, who was taken prisoner near Cambrai at the end of August. His son is safe and is being well treated. Neither of the letters gives any clue as to the place from which Lieutenant West writes. He say that he is a prisoner with about thirty officers of different Regiments. He was wounded below the left elbow and the bullet came of above the elbow, without touch the bone. Mr. West and his fellow prisoners get plenty to eat, and among them are three young officers with whom he was at school. He speaks highly of the kindness with which they are treated by the Germans.

He got seniority to the rank Captain on the 28th April 1915.

When he was released from the prison camp, he continued his service with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. For the Great War Service, he claimed 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal on 1921.

When the war was over, Captain West was sent to the Regular Army Reserve of  Officers.

When his father died on 1932, Cecil became head of the family business and run “Mess West and Son” on Grafton Street until his death.

Cecil Harley LEstrange West died in the beginning of July 1951 leaving behind will valued £13,784.

He had three children, son Desmond S. West, daughter Mrs. M.Ollis and Ms. Jill West (Irish Times 1951). At that time his family house was in Mount Offaly, Greystones, Co.Wicklow.

[paul wood]

Very nice, interestingly West made the insignia of the Order of St Patrick.

Paul

[peter monahan]

Nice piece.  I've never seen a side opening tin like that before.  All the examples I know have tops which flip back.  You'll need a plume as well as a badge to complete this one, Noor. 

[Noor]

22 minutes ago, peter monahan said:

Nice piece.  I've never seen a side opening tin like that before.  All the examples I know have tops which flip back.  You'll need a plume as well as a badge to complete this one, Noor. 

Thanks guys! Yes, of course!