WW1 American Other Ranks Tunic, good example of a standard wool four pocket tunic with bronzed American eagle tunic buttons. Collar discs for US and signallers. To arm is embroidered arm badge for the 3rd army with bullion ‘A’ to the centre. Bullion inverted chevrons to the lower sleeve. Khaki cloth lined interior to the tunic. Generally good condition.

WW2 Royal Air Force Pilots Service Dress Uniform of Wing Commander Reginald Patrick Mahoney ‘Pat’ Gibbs DSO, DFC & Bar, Decorated for his Command of Bristol Beaufort Aircraft in Malta and Attacking Axis Shipping in the Mediterranean, standard four pocket officers service dress tunic tailored by Burberry’s. Above the breast pocket is fine padded RAF pilots wing and medal ribbon bars for the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Distinguished Flying Cross with additional bar rosette. Brass kings crown RAF tunic buttons and rank lace to the cuffs for Squadron Leader. Accompanied by matching officers service dress trousers. Uniform remains in very good overall condition. Uniform is being sold by direct family descent. Wing Commander Reginald Patrick Mahoney ‘Pat’ Gibbs DSO, DFC & Bar, was born in Penarth, Wales on 2nd April 1915. His father was a ship owner and Welsh international rugby player. He was educated at Oundle School in Northamptonshire and was awarded a cadetship to RAF College Cranwell in 1934. At Oundle and Cranwell, Gibbs, excelled as a sportsman, especially in rugby, tennis and squash. He trained as a pilot and specialised in maritime strike and reconnaissance. On 1 August 1936 he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer, and was seconded to the Fleet Air Arm for two years. With them he flew Shark and Swordfish aircraft from aircraft carriers, and he gained his first experience of launching torpedoes from the air. Gibbs was then posted to the Torpedo Training School at Gosport, where he became an instructor in aerial torpedoing.On 1st February 1940, Gibbs was promoted to flight lieutenant and then joined No. 22 Squadron as a flight commander in Coastal Command, based at RAF North Coates in Lincolnshire. He then commenced a year-long tour of duty running sorties against enemy shipping off the coasts of Norway and the Netherlands and bombing raids on the Biscay ports. He was promoted to temporary squadron leader on 1 March 1941, and on 26 September he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his performance in that role. By then he was in the midst of another six-month stint training pilots. Gibbs volunteered for service in the Middle East and was posted to the Cairo headquarters of the Air Staff. He managed to persuade his superiors that the Beauforts, which he flew with No. 22 Squadron, could have a role in disrupting German oil supplies in the Mediterranean. In 1942 Gibbs was posted to No. 39 Squadron at Sidi Barrani and, on his first sortie, he managed to sink an Italian ship after releasing a torpedo from just 50 feet. Gibbs soon realised that the convoy targets he wanted to attack were out of range of the Beauforts and, after crash-landing on Malta, took his proposal to Air-Vice Marshal Hugh Pughe Lloyd that he and the Beauforts would be more effective posted on the island. He was promoted temporary wing commander on 1st June 1942. Gibbs flew four sorties from Malta between 22 July and 4 August, twice turning back the convoys. On the final sortie his Beaufort was badly damaged and he crash landed his plane on Malta for a second time. For his actions from Malta he was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross on 7th July 1942, the citation for the award of the bar is as follows:The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. Squadron Leader Reginald Patrick Mahoney GIBBS, D.F.C. (33250), No. 39 Squadron. Early in June 1942, Squadron Leader Gibbs attacked and sank a large enemy merchant vessel. Some time afterwards this officer participated in an attack on an Italian naval force. Despite opposition from enemy fighters and in the face of defensive fire from the naval vessels, Squadron Leader Gibbs successfully launched his torpedo at the leading warship. He flew his extensively damaged aircraft safely to base where he executed a skilful landing. This officer has at all times displayed great skill and devotion to duty. He has contributed materially to the operational efficiency of his squadron.Gibbs continued leading attacks throughout August 1942, which had a considerable impact on the war in the Mediterranean and altered the attitude of RAF command towards aerial tactics. Gibbs’ war substantive rank was increased to squadron leader on 1st September 1942. By this point Gibbs was understandably exhausted and returned to the United Kingdon, and on 18th September 1942 the award of the Distinguished Service Order was bestowed of Wing Commander Gibbs. ‘The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. Wing Commander Reginald Patrick Mahoney GIBBS, D.F.C. (33250), No. 30 Squadron. This officer, who has achieved much success in torpedo bomber sorties, has displayed fine qualities of leadership, combined with exceptional skill. Throughout, his courage has been of a high order and has proved a source of inspiration to all.’On his return to the United Kingdom, Wing Commander Gibbs, was removed from aircrew duties and posted to administrative roles with the RAF command. In 1944 he was invalided out of the RAF. During his time in the RAF, Wing Commander Gibbs wrote the book ‘Not Peace but a Sword’, the book detailed his early life and career in the Royal Air Force up to his posting to Cairo. After the war Gibbs became a journalist, working for the Daily Telegraph. In 1992, he wrote his second book ‘Torpedo Leader on Malta’. The book was released to coincide with the 15 year anniversary of the award of the George Cross to the Island of Malta. Gibbs died on the 8th March 2008 at the age of 92. The Imperial War Museum was donated by the family another uniform and medals awarded to Wing Commander Gibbs.

EIIR Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) Household Cavalry Troopers Full Uniform, fine example of a full uniform from a trooper of one of the most famous cavalry regiments of the British army, the Blues and Royals. The set consists of troopers full dress uniform with anodised regimental buttons. Bullion Royal Dragoons eagle sleeve badge. Gold wire brocade lace to the collar and cuffs. Partially cloth lined interior. Troopers cuirass with brass studs and trim. Complete with the shoulder straps and white buff waist strap. Some surface rusting to the cuirass, especially on the reverse. Accompanied by a pair of white parade pantaloons with size label attached to the waist. Large troopers pattern parade boots which remain in good condition overall. White metal 1871 pattern troopers full dress helmet with large brass household cavalry EIIR crowned helmet plate to the centre. Large rosette side bosses with brass linked chinstraps. White metal spike with red horse hair enlisted ranks dress plume. Interior of the helmet retains its other ranks liner system. The set shows some wear but generally still a good complete set.

EIIR Grenadier Guards Colour Sergeants Full Dress Tunic, fine scarlet cloth parade tunic with navy blue facings and white piping to the front. Regimental tunic buttons to the front and cuffs. To one arm bullion embroidered brigade of guards colour sergeants rank insignia. Bullion embroidered insignia to the collar and shoulder boards. Medal ribbon loops to the breast. Partially quilted cloth lined interior with the original size issue label. Generally good condition.