Army Veterinary Department Bicorn c.1905

Army Veterinary Department Bicorn c.1905 - Bicorn has a reinforced frame and fine beaver fur exterior, six rows of gold wire bullion overlaying five rows of gold bullion wire, stacked upon six rows of gold wire bullion coloured in light purple on the tips at both ends, the side with four rows of black and gold bullion wire backed by a strip of yellow wool overlaying a black ribbed rosette, with a gold and silver bullion button overlaying the wire towards the open end of the bicorn, 45 mm wide embroidered bands with oak leaf motif at the front and back on the left side, topped by a multi-feathered red plume, attached to the body of the bicorn by a z-shaped metal prong. Inside has a 50 mm wide light brown leather sweatband, with tag underneath glued to the body of the bicorn inscribed "ORDER NO. Forsdyke, SIZE 7 full.", undated (but known to have been bought between 1902 and 1907, as this was when Forsdyke was Lieutenant Colonel as stated on the name plaque of the Bicorn Carrying Case), dome lined in light purple silk, embossed gold stamped with the "HAWKES & Co. 14, PICCADILLY LONDON, HELMET, CAP, SWORD & ACCOUTREMENT MAKERS" mark, topped by the Edwardian crown, 170 mm x 410 mm x 160 mm high, separation of the sweatband from the body of the bicorn on the right side, fragmentation of the dome liner evident, wear along the edges, displays nice texture in the fur and quality workmanship, retaining its original look through quality stitching and the high grade materials used, very fine. Accompanied by its Bicorn Carrying Case (tin, unique black and red painted pattern on the exterior, in the shape of the bicorn itself, with a bronze gilt "HAWKES & Co. - 14 - PICCADILLY LONDON" manufacturers shield above a bronze gilt name plaque engraved in script "Lt. Col. F.W. Forsdyke Army VeterinaryDept." below, with handle and hinged at the top, foldover locking clasp at the bottom, its inside with a copper-coloured wash, 193 mm x 463 mm x 197 mm high, scuffed, gilt wear on the bronze plaques) and Plume Canister (tin, with the same unique black and red painted pattern exterior as the bicorn case, with a bronze gilt "HAWKES & Co. - 14 - PICCADILLY LONDON" manufacturers shield on the top lid, opens at both ends with foldover locking clasps, its inside with a copper-coloured wash, 110 mm x 255 mm high, the catch on the bottom clasp is broken off, scuffed, dented). Case and Canister both very fine. Footnote: Frederick Walewski Forsdyke was born on April 25, 1857. He qualified as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on January 8, 1878, graduating as a Veterinary Surgeon at the age of 22, on May 24, 1879. He was promoted four times: Veterinary Captain (May 25, 1889), 1st Class, Major (May 24, 1899), Veterinary Lieutenant Colonel (August, 22, 1902) and Colonel (August 22, 1907). He was cited in the London Gazette 7216 on December 5, 1879 with the Veterinary Department, as a "Veterinary-Surgeon on probation to be Veterinary-Surgeons, 24 May 1879". Forsdyke served in the Afghan War in 1880 with the Kyber Line Field Force under Lieutenant General Bright (Medal); in the Bozdar expedition in 1881 under Brigadier General Wilkinson; in the Chitral Relief Force under Sir Robert Low in 1895 (medal with clasp); in the campaign in the North West Frontier of India under Sir William Lockhart in 1897-98 with the Tirah Expeditionary Force as Inspecting Veterinary Officer on the line of communication (MID, 2 clasps); and in the South African War as a regular officer with the Army Veterinary Department from October 24, 1899 to January 11, 1903 at No. 2 Filed Veterinary Hospital at Naauwpoort (QSA, KSA). He is also credited with having served as Principle Veterinary Officer with the 2nd Army Corps (South Africa, January 12, 1903 to June 19, 1906), Inspecting Veterinary Officer, Southern Command (June 20, 1906 - February 4, 1908), Inspecting Veterinary Officer, Headquarters, India (October 1, 1911 to February 4, 1913) and Assistant Director of Veterinary Service, Northern Scotland and Western Commands (March 10, 1913 to his retirement on April 25, 1914, at the age of 57). He authored a book entitled "Army Veterinary Reports on Various British Campaigns Between the Years". Forsdyke died on March 3, 1941 at the age of 83, his probate records indicating he left all his personal effects to his daughter, Maud Georgina May Fulton.