EL7039 - The Wilkinson 1912 pattern cavalry officer's sword of Major Donald Richard Mantell (Chevalier Legion d'honneur), of the 16th/5th Queen's Royal Lancers. D. R. Mantell commissioned into the East Riding Yeomanry, and being an armoured regiment operating amphibious tanks, landed with them on D-Day, 6th June 1944, as a 20-year-old Second Lieutenant. Fighting through France, Holland and Belgium, Mantell was Mentioned in Despatches, and the regiment took part in crossing of the Rhine. He was later awarded the Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur by the French Ambassador in London. After the war, Mantell received a Regular Commission in the 16th/5th Queen’s Royal Lancers and served in Egypt, Libya, Singapore and the UK. This sword dates to this period, being made by Wilkinson in the early 1950s. The sword is in parade condition, and would be suitable for a current serving officer. Everything is bright and tight, and it is complete with the full dress plated steel scabbard (it might require an additional field service scabbard for some orders of dress). It has the original sword knot, in reasonable condition, but would probably want a new one for modern parade use. A great piece of history in excellent condition.
