Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Cavalry Officer’s Sword carried by Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. C. Kearsey, D.S.O., O.B.E., late 10th Hussars, who was uncle of the famous Mitford sisters

An 1822 Pattern Triple-bar Light Cavalry Sword, in field service leather scabbard, Wilkinson No. 40399, the blade etched with the badges and unit distinctions of the 10th Royal Hussars, V.R. cypher, etc., blade stained overall £500-600

Alexander Horace Cyril Kearsey was born in December 1877 and was educated at Rottingdean School, Clifton College and Sandhurst. Originally commissioned into the York and Lancaster Regiment in May 1898, he served with distinction in the Boer War and was present in the relief of Ladysmith operations, including the actions at Spion Kop, Vaal Krantz, Tugela Heights, Pieter’s Hill and Laing’s Nek, in addition to Venter’s Spruit, where he was severely wounded on 20 January 1900. Twice mentioned in despatches by Sir Redvers Buller, he was gazetted for the D.S.O. in September 1901, which insignia he received from the King in March 1902. He later wrote a history of his regiment’s part in the conflict.

Kearsey transferred to the 10th Hussars in the rank of Captain in February 1905, was Adjutant of the Territorial Force 1908-11 and graduated from the Staff College at Camberley at the end of 1914, in the rank of Major. Shortly afterwards he proceeded to Belgium, attached to the 1st Life Guards, 7th Cavalry Brigade, and was present at the first battle of Ypres and at Neuve Chapelle. In 1915 he was attached to the Staff of the 7th Cavalry Brigade and in August of that year was appointed Brigade Major to the 1/2nd South-Western Mounted Brigade, and served as such in Gallipoli. He next commanded the 5th Dorsets, for five months, until May 1916, when he was appointed G.S.O. 1 with the 54th Division, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, and was subsequently present at the first and second battles of Gaza. He also held command of the 1/5th King’s Own Scottish Borderers from May to November 1917 and was wounded at El-Teb. Twice more mentioned in despatches, Kearsey was also awarded the O.B.E., the Egyptian Order of the Nile (3rd class) and the Serbian Order of Karageorge, with swords (4th class).

Kearsey married in 1907 the Hon. Frances Georgiana Mitford, daughter of the 1st Baron Redesdale, and was uncle of the famous Mitford sisters, Nancy, Diana and Unity.

Sold with Wilkinson register verification for sword no. 40399, which was purchased by Captain A. H. C. Kearsey, 10th Hussars, in 1905.