~ 1914 Dated Child’s 5th Dragoon Guards Tunic ~
This uniform belonged to a member of the 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wale’s) Dragoon Guards. It was a cavalry regiment in the British army first raised in 1685 as the Duke of Shrewsbury’s. In 1788 it was renamed as the 5th Regiment of Dragoons Guards and in 1804 as 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wale’s) Regiment of Dragoon Guards.
This is a 1881 Pattern private tunic used after 1902 only for parade. Judging by it’s very small size it was of a drummer or bugler.
The buttons read “5GD” indicating the regiment. Also it reads “Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum” which is the Latin motto for “Never a Step Backward”. The button is also marked with the Kings Crown; this regiment is under King George V’s reign. The reverse is stamped ‘Buttons Limited Birmingham’.
The scarlet tunic is still a bright red colour, the yellow piping, the black velvet of the collar and shoulder boards and the wool all looking well preserved. The liner is cream wool, possibly faded from white and the gold corporal’s chevrons have a strong colour to them but they may be slightly faded. The buttons are all present.
The label inside the right breast pocket of the jacket is printed with “June 1914” indicating when it was made. Also the sizes are clearly labelled, “Size No. 2”, “Height 5/34”, “Breast 33” and “Waist 29”. The label is a little cracked but is clearly ledgeable.
~ Dimensions ~
The length of the outer arm is 23.5 inches (59.5 cm).
The length from collar to tail is 26 inches (66 cm).
The distance between the armpits is 14 inches (36 cm).
The diameter of the collar is 15.5 inches (39 cm).
It weights 1.17 Kg.
~ Condition ~
The tunic and is in rather good condition, with minimal wear.
There are wear marks by the buttonholes from use.
All the buttons are present and they are original but they’ve lost most of their gild.
The gold threading on the chevrons is slightly faded.
The piping has frayed a little bit.
The black velvet of the cuffs has some slight discolouration due to its age and wear.
