ELC1021 - The Wilkinson Royal Artillery officer's sword (made in 1878) for later-Colonel Francis Bevill Read Toms, Royal Artillery.
Colonel Francis Bevill Read Toms was born c.1858 in London and died in 1924 in Steyning, Sussex. Lieutenant 9 Oct 1877, Captain 26 Jan 1886, Adjutant, 1 st Sussex Volunteer Artillery, 1 Jan 1890 to 15 May 1891, Major 23 Nov 1895 (later amended to 7 Dec 1895), Lt-Colonel 28 Jan 1904 (later amended to 31 Jan 1904), Brevet Colonel (Royal Garrison Artillery) 31 Jan 1907, Retired 31 Jan 1909. He was then appointed to command a Division of Territorial Artillery from 1 Apr 1909 and during WW1 was appointed to HQ as Commandant on the Lines of Communications, from 4 Jan 1916 to 15 Feb 1918.
Toms served in the 1882 Egypt campaign, including being present at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, receiving the Egypt medal with clasp and Khedive’s Bronze Star.
The sword is in overall good condition considering the long service and campaigning. The 35-inch blade (service sharpened) is bright, with a little light pitting, with most of the etching deep and clear. Including Wilkinson's name, Royal Artillery motifs, VR cypher and floral decoration. The 3-bar RA hilt is all solid, with a little bit of wear and loss to the shagreen and the silver grip wire. The scabbard may have been a later upgrade when Toms was stationed in India, as it is in the Indian field service style.
