Named WWI British Lieutenant Colonel DSO Recipient Cuff Rank Tunic

The tunic was worn by Lieutenant Colonel Cecil John Troyte-Bullock of the Somerset Light Infantry (“The Prince Albert’s” Regiment) who, during the First World War, was three times mentioned in dispatches and decorated with the Distinguished Service Order. The tunic was tailored for Bullock in 1914 when he held the rank of Major. The tunic carries a ribbon bar for the world War I trio as ell as the Distinguished Service Order, with the ribbon for the Victory Medal bearing the device reflecting that Bullock had been mentioned in dispatches. The collar bears the regimental badges of the Somerset Light Infantry. The lower left sleeve exhibits two wound stripes, while the right sleeve has overseas service chevrons. On both upper sleeves can be observed the “ghost” outlines of the cloth flashes of the 61st Infantry Brigade, of which the 7th Battalion of the somerset Light Infantry was a component. The edges of the sleeve cuffs were reinforced with leather. The tunic is constructed from a high quality worsted serge wool and it is in exceptional condition, showing wear and use but without stains, damage, holes or repairs. The tunic is accompanied by copies of extensive documentation on Bullock’s service in the British Army and World War I. This listing also includes a portrait photograph of Bullock in uniform, but this photograph was retrieved from the internet and it is not a part of the documentation accompanying the tunic

Further biographical information:    Lieutenant Colonel Cecil John Troyte-Bullock, DSO, was in born into the landed gentry (his maternal grandfather was a baronet) at Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1869.  Upon leaving Charterhouse in 1889 he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. Having transferred to the 1st Battalion in 1891, he was Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Jersey Light Infantry 1900-05. Transferring to the 2nd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, Captain Troyte-Bullock served in Malta 1908-11 and North China 1911-13. In September 1914, whilst on leave from India pending retirement, Major Troyte-Bullock was promoted Lt. Col. (temporary) and given command of the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry.  His obituary in The Light Bob Gazette reads, “Nobody who served in the 1914-18 War with the 7th Battalion of the Regiment could forget Colonel Troyte-Bullock. From its formation in 1914 until he was severely wounded in 1918 he led and inspired it almost continuously.  His unfailing devotion to duty could not but leave a deep impression on all who saw it and those who knew him well realized that his courage and serenity sprang from his strong religious convictions.  More by his own example than by precept he demanded of his officers a high standard of behaviour in everything.  Night after night in the trenches one would meet him, long stick in hand, visiting every post in the front line, however deep the mud or heavy the shelling.  During a battle he would reach the captured position almost before the attacking companies had begun to consolidate it and pass along the line with a calm  and  almost casual word of encouragement  for  everyone.”  A truly exceptional and beloved commander.