Northumberland Fusiliers Regular Officer's No 1 Dress Scarlet Tunic Jacket - Attributed

Sadly it's laced with old moth damage, but it does have a bit of history to it and is attributed. Collar badge clearly showing the silver St George & Dragon on the gold bullion grenades. Gosling Green facings and all officer pattern buttons present and correct. The cuffs showing clearly the gold lace of a regular officer. The rank clearly displayed here is that of a 'Lieutenant' on the gold bullion shoulder boards. The inner lining is remarkably clean and in good condition. Apart from the moth and the odd grubby mark, in good condition with all buttons and attachments.

The jacket is named to 'E.H. (Ernest Henry) Baxter (No.4286)', who it turns out was commissioned into the NF prior to the Great War and whom served with both its 1st and 2nd Battalions.

Lieut E.H. Baxter, 2nd Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers, would have put his jacket into storage in August 1914 - 'and never wore it again' - until eventually it was found in a loft and ending up here for sale.

Here is a resume of his career from the London Gazette and Army List:

Gentleman Cadet - Royal Military College - 1908

2nd/Lt - Northumberland Fusiliers - 24/10/1908.

Joined 1st Bn, N.F., Peshawur, India - January 1909.

Lieut 1st Bn, N.F. - 1/10/1911

Joined 2nd Bn, N.F. - November 1913.

temp Capt - 2nd Bn, N.F. - 17/11/1914

While a Captain with the 2nd Bn, he commanded 'D' Coy and was severely wounded on the outskirts of Ypres, when the Battalion was on the way to relieve the 1st Welch in trenches at Zonnebeke. Ironically his wounding occurred on the 23rd April 1915, 'St. Georges Day' - the Regimental Day for all Northumberland Fusiliers.

The wounds were severe enough for him to remain in the UK and on recovery he graded as a Staff Captain and seconded to command a Company of an OFFICER CADET UNIT(18/12/1916).

No more is known of him until he's found on a Special Appointment - CL FF on the 30th November 1918, which he relinquished in May 1919.


Captain Baxter seems to have continued to serve with the Army, but I have yet to trace his movements, because he's known to have gone onto retired pay on the 3rd October, 1935.

However with war looming and the need for experienced officers, despite their age, Captain Baxter joins the REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS (RARO), becoming a Major on the 5th September, 1938.

Major Baxter went onto retired pay on the 11th May 1940, but it wasn't for long, because on the 23rd February 1941 he was recalled to duty, re-employed and restored to the rank of Major. At this stage I'm unsure as to what eventually happened to Major Baxter, but I'm sure somebody out there will be able to add to his story.

Please note that on account of the bulk and weight, I will only post to a UK address.

Sold as Seen - No returns on this item. Please email for more photos if required (but first see my item 69393 for more photos).

Research above provided by the author and researcher, Graham Stewart.

Comm GrSt

Code: 65088