EL7105 - The Wilkinson Coldstream Guards officer's sword of Colonel William Buckley Nicholl Roderick, O.B.E, L.O.M. (Legion of Merit). The sword numbered 50701, dated 18th October 1915. Colonel Roderick was born in 1891, the son of William Buckley Roderick and Frances Nicholl. He gained the rank of Colonel in the Coldstream Guards and was appointed Officer, Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.). Roderick was serving as a Corporal in the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1914, but was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards in 1915 (when he purchased this new sword), quite a remarkable transition! On 23 October 1914, the London Gazette reported that Roderick was being promoted to a commissioned officer "for service in the Field" (during the first year of WW1). He was Mentioned in Despatches. If his WW1 service was not remarkable enough, he rose up the ranks in the Coldstream Guards in the inter-war years and then distinguished himself again in WW2. The London Gazette of 20 December 1940 notes (then) Major Roderick as being on the command for the North Western Expeditionary Force, and distinguishing himself in connection with operations in Norway. The London Gazette of 2 June 1943 records, "The KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of His Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:— To be Additional Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:—Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) William Buckley Nicholl Roderick (42704), Coldstream Guards". The London Gazette of 17 October 1946 records, "The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred on the undermentioned personnel in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies:—DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA- Legion of Merit, Degree of Officer - Colonel (temporary) William Buckley Nicholl RODERICK, O.B.E. (42704), Coldstream Guards". He married, firstly, Edna Ruth Huffman, daughter of George Huffman and Catherine Carmer, on 1 January 1913 at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He married, secondly, Beatrice Norah Clark, daughter of Sir George Ernest Clark, 2nd Bt. and Norah Ann Wilson, on 12 June 1953. He died on 18 March 1957. Clearly, Colonel Roderick led a fascinating life worthy of much more research. The sword features a blade in very good crisp condition, firm in the hilt, with good bright polish and etching in excellent condition. The plated hilt has some patina and wear, but is all solid and sound, and could be restored to modern parade condition by a professional. Once restored, this could make a fantastic sword for a serving Coldstream Guards officer. The original sword knot and field service scabbard are present.
