Original British Victorian Era Named Leather Water Bottle – Royal Horse Guards Original Items

Original Item:One-of-a-kind. Born in 1873, LIEUTENANT RICHARD FREDERICK MOLYNEUX OF THE ROYAL HORSE GUARDS, was the third son of the Earl of Sefton. He joined the Army as a Lieutenant in 1895 and in 1897 was the Orderly Officer to the General Sir William Lockhart commanding the TIRAH Expeditionary Force on the North West Frontier.

In 1898, in the Sudan, he was attached to the 21st Lancers and took part in the famous Cavalry charge at the Battle of Omdurman on 2nd September. Seriously wounded in the right arm, unhorsed and facing imminent death he was rescued by Trooper Thomas Byrne of the 21st Lancers himself badly wounded. Trooper Byrne later received the Victoria Cross for his actions.

Molyneux went on to serve in South Africa, during the Boer War as A.D.C. to Lord Errol after which he returned to England and entered the Reserves. He was reactivated in 1914 and retired from the Army in 1919. He became “Groom in Ordinary” to King George V becoming Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1935. Sir William died on 20th January 1954 at the age of 80 years.

This fine leather covered water bottle perhaps privately made using a “SEFTON” crested wine bottle, a seal can be seen under the leather. Complete with leather shoulder strap the bottle bears a white metal plate engraved:

LT. R.F. MOLYNEUX, R.H.G.

The cork stopper, probably a later replacement, has been pushed into the bottle. A little bit of how the upper half lived, a time now long past but still a fine reminder of Victorian Military accoutrements.