Original British Kings Own Norfolk Yeomanry Officers Undress Uniform Set- Circa 1901 Original Items

Original Item: One Set Only. Raised in 1901 at the express request of King Edward VII the Regiment was initially titled “The Norfolk (King’s Own) Imperial Yeomanry” with the Royal Cypher as their Badge. It was later renamed The King’s Own Royal Regiment (Norfolk Yeomanry).

This set is of the earliest made for this Regiment and is an officer’s showing the rank of a full Lieutenant. It is made of blue Melton cloth with yellow facings with the feel of the “maternity design”, buttons on either side of the chest instead of down the center, later adopted by the pilots of the Royal Flying Corps.

Complete with the earliest regimental buttons and lush gilt facings to cuffs and collar. The tunic comes with maroon silk style waist sash and pillbox matching hat. The pillbox hat, covered in officer braid, was worn on semi formal occasions in what referred to as the “Undress Uniform”.

The set comes with broad red stripe (for “Royal” Regiments) tapered Cavalry Coveralls (pants) with under sole buckles for use while mounted.

On formal (Dress) occasions this Regiment wore a most impressive tall plumed leather helmet that unfortunately we do not have but do become available from time to time on the collectors market.

This regiment, raised in 1901, was intended for home (British Isles) defense. Many of its number volunteered for “overseas” service in 1914 at the outbreak of WW1. In September 1915, 25 Officers and 504 men embarked on the RMS Olympic and took part in the Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey followed by service in Egypt at the Suez Canal. In 1916 they joined the Western Frontier Force and defended Egypt against the Senussi. It then served in Palestine including the Third Battle of Gaza from April 1917 to April 1918. In May 1918 the Regiment was sent to France.

Perhaps one of the Regiments most famous members, at least as English School boys remember, is Captain W.E. Johns, author of the famous Biggles Books and my favorite book as a child “The Modern Boys Book of Pirates” published in 1936, a copy of which I have recently purchased from Australia for $ 300.00! (Thank God for the Internet!).

Printed Internet Regimental Research is included.