WW1 British Army Tunic to a Captain in 1/6th King's Liverpool Regiment

A scarce and in my mind battlefield worn mid to late World War one Officer’s Tunic to a Captain in the 1/6 th. Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment.

Constructed in the gabardine of the period it started life as a Cuff Rank Tunic but was converted, perhaps some time in 1917 to a shoulder rank, the pips from the sleeve again used in the conversion, the pointed cuffs added to complete the process.

There is a false belt with support hooks for the Sam Brown belt still in place, two lower bellows pockets and two pleated breast pockets, all flapped and closed by the Rifle Regiment black horn buttons, the matching buttons for the front closure being round. Overall condition is very good with some moth damage at the right front lower area and one patch to the back of each sleeve and several areas of wear to the lining.

Collar badges are in blackened bronze over “T” for territorials as these were a Territorial unit recruited around Liverpool.

Most significant is the cloth insignia. Below the neck at the back are the Battle Patches in the form of vertical green stripes which are absolutely correct for 1/6th Battalion in 165 Brigade and were worn from 30th March 1916 onwards. On each sleeve are the hand applied Divisional Signs of the 55th Division. These were adopted in May 1917 and are private purchase with 5 leaves, issue examples having7 leaves.

A true combat used Tunic with no doubt theatre applied repairs.

1/6th Bn Liverpool Rifles landed in France on 25th of May 1915 and were assigned to the 5th Division.

First major action was on 5th of May 1915 was at Hill 60 during Second Battle of Ypres.

1/6th Bn then transferred to 165th (Liverpool) Brigade in 55th division on 26th January 1916, it is to this formation the tunic is badged up to.

1/6 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles) took part in the following actions when in the 55th Division.

1916

Battle of the Somme

Battle of Guillemont, 4–6 September

Battle of Ginchy, 9 September

Battle of Flers–Courcelette, 17–22 September

Battle of Morval, 25–28 September

1917

Third Battle of Ypres

Battle of Pilckem Ridge, 31 July–2 August

Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, 20–23 September

Battle of Cambrai

The Tank Attack, 20–21 November

German Counter-Attacks, 30 November–3 December

1918

Battle of the Lys

Battle of Estaires, 9–11 April

Defence of Givenchy, 9–17 April

Battle of Hazebrouck, 12–15 April

Advance to Victory

Capture of Givenchy Craters, 24 August

Capture of Cateleux Trench, 17 September (by the Liverpool Brigade)

A truly historic Tunic.