Researching a Captain Ernest Ansell.

[5016]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently became the owner of a most unusual sword with an etched presentation inscription in which Capt. Herbert Ansell is named as the doner. The sword is unusual because it was made by Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London but is in the form of an Indian Tulwar. I would have said it was unique but having done some investigating, I have found a beautiful example made by Wilkinson in 1879 for Commander in Chief, Bombay Army, with hallmarked silver hilt. This was sold by Christie’s in 2014. In fact it was apparently one of five, with consecutive numbers 21800 to 21804, ordered by this C in C. So, whilst mine is certainly unusual, it’s not unique.

 

I am not a military researcher and have had assistance. Thus far, I understand the Captain was connected to the 1st Middlesex - Victoria Rifle Volunteers, not the regular army. This was established from reference to members of a Masonic Lodge called the Victoria Rifles and his title confirmed in a census / voters list, not from records of the Military unit. He was also listed as a Director of Companies and Actuary. He lived in Surrey. No other mention could be found of him being an officer in the regular army, medal rolls etc.

 

Now to the recipient - Jack F. Raspin. Raspin is an uncommon name found mostly in Yorkshire and concentrated within a fairly close radius of Hull. My friend could find only a John F. Raspin but found press cuttings where he was named ‘John (Jack) F. Raspin’, so Jack is probably what he was known as although probably not his actual name. Not uncommon. This chap, born 1888, was in the Wool combing business and located in Bradford. Again a press entry referred to his association with the Brotherhood, which is the only connection we have found to link the two men, that, and both being businessmen.

The sword’s inscription says Raspin served as a Special Constable in the Great War, 1914-19 and says the sword is an Indian Frontier Police Tulwar. Research failed to find either men on passenger lists to India and I feel it much more likely he was in the British Special Constabulary. 

If anyone can confirm anything regarding Ansell’s military service, I’d be so grateful. In fact, any suggestions greatly appreciated. This was clearly a generous and expensive gift but it doesn’t make a great deal of sense to me at the moment!

 

Thanks in anticipation.

 

Kevin.

 

 

Edited July 24 by 5016
Mistake

[5016]

For the sharp-eyed, the name in title (Ernest) is wrong . It is Herbert, as in text! Doing two research projects and got them confused. A senior moment. Unable to edit.  Sorry.

K.

[Farkas]

On 24/07/2024 at 17:34, 5016 said:

Hi everyone,

 

I recently became the owner of a most unusual sword with an etched presentation inscription in which Capt. Herbert Ansell is named as the doner. The sword is unusual because it was made by Henry Wilkinson, Pall Mall, London but is in the form of an Indian Tulwar. I would have said it was unique but having done some investigating, I have found a beautiful example made by Wilkinson in 1879 for Commander in Chief, Bombay Army, with hallmarked silver hilt. This was sold by Christie’s in 2014. In fact it was apparently one of five, with consecutive numbers 21800 to 21804, ordered by this C in C. So, whilst mine is certainly unusual, it’s not unique.

 

I am not a military researcher and have had assistance. Thus far, I understand the Captain was connected to the 1st Middlesex - Victoria Rifle Volunteers, not the regular army. This was established from reference to members of a Masonic Lodge called the Victoria Rifles and his title confirmed in a census / voters list, not from records of the Military unit. He was also listed as a Director of Companies and Actuary. He lived in Surrey. No other mention could be found of him being an officer in the regular army, medal rolls etc.

 

Now to the recipient - Jack F. Raspin. Raspin is an uncommon name found mostly in Yorkshire and concentrated within a fairly close radius of Hull. My friend could find only a John F. Raspin but found press cuttings where he was named ‘John (Jack) F. Raspin’, so Jack is probably what he was known as although probably not his actual name. Not uncommon. This chap, born 1888, was in the Wool combing business and located in Bradford. Again a press entry referred to his association with the Brotherhood, which is the only connection we have found to link the two men, that, and both being businessmen.

The sword’s inscription says Raspin served as a Special Constable in the Great War, 1914-19 and says the sword is an Indian Frontier Police Tulwar. Research failed to find either men on passenger lists to India and I feel it much more likely he was in the British Special Constabulary. 

If anyone can confirm anything regarding Ansell’s military service, I’d be so grateful. In fact, any suggestions greatly appreciated. This was clearly a generous and expensive gift but it doesn’t make a great deal of sense to me at the moment!

 

Thanks in anticipation.

 

Kevin.

 

 

That’s a lovely thing you have there, congrats 🍻

 

There appears to be only one possible recipient, I couldn’t help spend hours googling all the possible name combinations and bits of information.

 

I came to the same conclusion.

It has to be John.

Then I remembered I have a my heritage account at the moment and checked on there.

Unless I am mistaken there is no ‘Jack’ it could be and there is only one…J F Raspin

John Frederick Raspin aka Jack

 

 

 

Annoyingly nothing obvious for Herbert..,

 

cheers

tony 🍻

[5016]

Hi Tony,

 

Yes, thank you, that’s the one I settled on too. Being 26 yrs of age in 1914, when war broke out, I was surprised to see he favoured a spell in the Special Constabulary rather than enlist and serve his country.

In so far as Ansell goes and his title of Captain, I have found reference to him belonging to a Freemason Lodge which drew its members from the 1st Middlesex Victoria Rifles, so strongly believe that is where he obtained the rank. (See attached from Ray Westlake’s book)

I found him living in Woking, Surrey with wife Alice 1919-21 and he uses the title of Captain in one electoral register (1919) but drops the title in 1921.

 

The sword is certainly unusual in many respects. First and most obviously, Wilkinson are not famous for making this type of sword. They did, however, make some. In addition to the patronage of various members of our own royal family, they also made swords by appointment to a number of Maharajas. The sword does not have a serial number, which is unusual for a special order.
Why did Ansell choose an Indian Frontier Police pattern sword when neither man appears to have had connections to that region? I do wonder if perhaps, simply wanting a sword to present to Raspin, Ansell bought one which was surplus to a previous order? Maybe we shall never know but it is a rare type of sword from this maker and any pattern of Wilkinson sword with a presentation inscriptions are pretty scare in themselves. I’m very pleased to add it to my small collection of attributable Wilkinson swords.

 

Kind regards,

 

Kevin.