Original British WWI 15th Sherwood Foresters Named Officer Uniform with Trench Notebooks and Research Original Items

Original Items: One-of-a-kind. This is truly amazing, an original WWI Officer’s tunic and Sam Browne Belt set, two original hand written field notebooks, masses of original documents all contained in a research binder. There is also a DVD containing 160+ scans of the documents. The uniform and research tell the story of:

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM EDWARD DURANT SCHULER (HALLIDAY) 1897 – 1976
of the 15TH SHERWOOD FORESTERS
who was severely wounded an attack on a
Western Front Knoll on AUGUST 19th. 1917

Personal effects of the late Lt W. E. D. Schuler 4th Notts and Derby Sherwood Foresters who saw action with the Sherwood Forester Regiment and was severely wounded (GSW jaw) by a machine gun bullet in the attack on the Knoll 19 August 1917.

Of real interest are the two Army Book 153 Field Message Books as well as several loose pages of detailed notes, Platoon and Section Rolls and Trench equipment / stores lists.

The two Army Book 153 volumes make fascinating reading and contain many poignant entries reflecting the need to maintain silence in the front line trenches. Of note is a scrawled pencil entry B L I G H T Y.  There is ample material worthy of transcription and further research along with 80+ mages of Schuler’s WO 331 Service File obtained through Researcher Kevin Asplin (images provided on CD). Research from Ancestry shows William Edward Durant Schuler b. 29 Dec.1897 Dulwich Surrey to John Schuler (Naturalized) and his wife Emily Eliza (Noel) and Commissioned 2Lt. 4 Notts & Derby 26 April 1917 Lieut 26 Oct 1918 and Demob 28 June 1919 “To retired list ill health caused by wounds”. At some point in the 1920s William immigrated to North America, changed his surname to Halliday and eventually settling into a career as a Civil Servant in Ottawa ON. William Edward Durant Halliday (born Schuler) died in Ottawa 19 Sept 1976.

This is most extraordinary set, put away just as it was worn in the First World War, uncleaned with the dirt and wear from the Trench Warfare in which it was used. Found in an attic just a couple of years ago with almost 100 years in storage, this set as offered comes with Schuler’s Tunic and Sam Browne belt assembly, with insignia still attached. The Sam Browne (by Martins Birmingham dated 1916 on Belt and 1917 on Cross Strap) is also shows stains and signs of wear.

The field books cover 1917 and 1918 and are packed with information and even drawings of Trench layouts and troop movements. Together with a typed analysis starting in January 1917 up until April 22nd 1919 when the final party leaves DUNKIRK for SOUTHAMPTON at 5.00 o’clock in the morning.

The Tunic with its leather belt etc in place has been hanging in an attic untended for nearly 100 years and has suffered the consequences of being attacked by moth mostly to the bottoms of the pockets and the Tunic’s hem.

The Uniform set, as it is, is offered completely unrestored and just as it was found. The real treasure trove is the supporting original paperwork together with the accompanying analysis.