Original British WWI Sam Browne Set and Boots of Lt. Col. Claude Beddington – Killed During Dunkirk Evacuation Original Items

Original Items: One of a Kind Set. Purchased directly from the family, this is a poignant little collection of the leather effects of One man’s service to his Country spanning three Wars and ending in his tragic death during the Dunkirk Evacuation.

CLAUDE BEDDINGTON, born in 1869, joined the British Army and saw service in the 1899-1901 Boer War while Queen Victoria was still on the throne. In WW1 he achieved his elevated rank with the WESTMORLAND AND CUMBERLAND YEOMANRY as aLieutenant Colonel.

After WW1 he retired to private life, but in 1940 when the appeal for an armada of pleasure craft was made to rescue the cornered British and French Armies at DUNKIRK, he  immediately acted. He offered his Stream Yacht “CACHALOT” to the rescue operation, and manning the helm himself embarked on his final mission at the age of 71 years. We do not know how many round trips he made, but whilst in a small convoy together with the Royal Navy Motor Vessel l M.V ORCA, they were strafed by two Luftwaffe fighter planes on August 24th 1940. Everyone else survived, but Lt. Colonel Claude Beddington received a bullet wound that instantly killed him.

Later in the war M.V ORCA was sunk by a Torpedo from U-156 on February 16th. 1942.

Masses more information to be found on the Internet, such as this information at the Commonwealth Graves Commission.

Our small leather effects collection consist of Lt.Colonel Beddington’s SAM BROWNE BELT Assembly with Cross strap, his flap top .455 cal Revolver Holster, his Ammunition pouch and most interestingly his Eating Utensil leather Belt Pouch, with his Rank and name stamped across its front. In addition we include his very up market Brown Leather Officer’s High Boots with laces to the sides, both boots still bear his leather mounted Riding Spurs in place.

All in all a quality assortment of leather equipment he used in the trenches during WW1. An Officer who served in THREE Wars and died a Hero while still in action at age 71.

Ready to Display.