Original British WWI Named Royal Irish Fusiliers Officer Bearskin – Colonel William Thornton Huband Gregg Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Colonel William Thornton Huband Gregg, D.S.O., O.B.E. was a member of the The Royal Irish Fusiliers. “Tommy” (as he was known) Gregg was born in 1886 and commissioned into the Royal Irish Fusiliers in August 1906. After service with the 1st Bn. in Aldershot, Bordon and Shorncliffe he was seconded to the King’s African Rifles in August 1912. He remained with this Regiment for the next 11 years and took part in operations against the Meereham Tribe in 1913 and the campaign against the German Colonial Army commanded by the redoubtable General von Lettow Vorbeck from 1914 to 1918. This campaign covered the territories of the then German and Portuguese East Africa, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. He had been promoted to Captain in 1913, temporary Major in 1916, and temporary Lt.-Col. in 1917. He was awarded the D.S.O. and the French War Cross in addition to the British World War 1 medals, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches. In 1926 he was promoted Brevet Lt.-Col. and was appointed to command the Depot at Omagh in November. From 1933 to 1937 he commanded the 1st Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers when it was in Bombay, the Sudan and Bordon. He handed over command in 1937 shortly after the Battalion had returned from operations in Palestine during the autumn and winter of 1936/37. The Bn. was mechanized in Bordon. He was a very good trainer of troops but was much frustrated by lack of modern equipment in those days of using colored flags in lieu. In November 1937 he retired but rejoined for duty in October 1939 and commanded an I.T.C. formed at Holywood, Co. Down. He was promoted Colonel in 1941 and appointed Sub Area Commander in Armagh. His work with the Home Guard led him to take the appointment of County Commandant of the Ulster Special Constabulary in Co. Tyrone after the end of World War II. He gave up this appointment in 1960 and went to live in Co. Kilkenny. He was an all-round and energetic sportsman, excelling at squash. He was a first-class shot with a gun and a fine fisherman. After his retirement he spent most of his spare time in Omagh with guns and rod. His last years were marred by ill-health and he had to spend long spells in hospital. He died at his home on 7th June 1975.


This is a fantastic black bearskin with black leather lining, gilt chin inner lining with original maker’s label W. Carter & Co., 56 Pall Mali, London, this inscribed in ink with the original owner’s details Gregg, RI. Irish Fits.” Bearskin lacking grenade helmet badge but has the correct green feather Hackel. Size is approximately a U.S. 7 1/4 (58cm). Also included is original paperwork with provenance and research as seen in the product photos.