AN UNUSUALLY LARGE CAMPAIGN TEA CADDY WITH AN ILLUSTRIOUS RI...

Estimate

£300 - £500

AN UNUSUALLY LARGE CAMPAIGN TEA CADDY WITH AN ILLUSTRIOUS RIFLE BRIGADE HISTORY.
A large rectangular campaign tea caddy, the lid with an engraved brass tablet 'B.F. Alexander Rifle Brigade', the sides with flush fitting carrying handles, the interior with three large tea compartments with ebonised knob handles, the box with silvered hinges and lock, the lock engraved 'Chubb's Patent, 57 St Paul's, London .. Makers to her Majesty' and numbered '415337', also stamped twice for J.M. Edmond, Calcutta. With key, 31cm high, 41.5cm wide and 26cm deep.
Boyd Francis Alexander was born in London on April 17th 1834, a 2nd Lieutenant by Purchase in the Rifle Brigade from 1852 rising to Major in 1871 by the same method and Brevert Lieutenant Colonel without purchase in 1872, retiring in the same year. Serving in India regularly it seems he was entitled to a four clasp Indian Mutiny Medal and Canadian Medal being severely wounded during the capture of Fort Birwa on October 21st 1858.
His eldest son, born 1873, also served with the Rifle Brigade, achieving considerable success as an ornithologist and as author of the work 'From the Niger to the Nile'.
Sold with extensive research and family history.