Dealer Information Dealer: Blighty Militaria Location: London, United Kingdom Tel: 07729 917 773 Email: blightymilitaria@gmail.com

Original WW2 British Army Officers Private Purchase Khaki Drill Shorts

Code: 52940

Website: https://www.militariazone.com/trousers-shorts/original-ww2-british-army-officers-private-purchase-khaki-drill-shorts/itm33476

An original pair of British Khaki Drill Shorts which belonged to Lieutenant Colonel Ashe who served with the 11th  Sikh Regiment (Ludhiana Sikhs) in Italy during the Second World War. 

Robert Arthur Descourt Ashe was born in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, India on the 15th of September 1901. He joined the army during the inter-war period and was already a Major by the time war broke out. He served with the 11th Sikh Regiment in Italy and stayed with them on their return to India at the end of the war. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1947 and died in 1986. 

Khaki Drill comes in many different patterns and I am still finding new patterns, with these being no exception! Whilst they feature the usual double waist belts there is a large flap which covers them - an interesting detail. Aside from this the shorts are quite typical of theatre made KD items. They are made from a tan coloured cotton drill, feature a button fly, hand stitched buttonholes, a twin pleated front and slash pockets at the hips. Inside the shorts the original owner has marked his name as 'R. A. Ashe'.

The shorts will suit around a 30" waist and when laid flat measure - 

Waist - 15 1/2"
Rise - 16 1/2"
Rear rise - 20"
Inside leg - 9 1/2"
Outside leg - 23 "
Cuff - 15 1/2"

The shorts are in good condition with some signs of wear and use. Please study the pictures before purchasing and bear in mind that they are a pre-owned, vintage item of over 70 years old. 

A nice original pair of attributed shorts with a great bit of detail!