Wilkinson Highland Light Infantry Broadsword to WW2 Dunkirk Military Cross Winner

Name: Wilkinson Highland Light Infantry Broadsword to WW2 Dunkirk Military Cross Winner
SKU: EL7380
Price: 1295.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£1,295.00

In stock: 1 available

Product Details

EL7380 - The Wilkinson Highland Light Infantry officer's broadsword of Second Lieutenant Philip Douglas Ronald Kindersley. Numbered 66818 for 1938, when Kindersley commissioned as an officer. Kindersley is best noted in the records for his actions during the 1940 Allied retreat to Dunkirk, for which he was awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). His leadership and courage during the defensive operations helped cover the retreat of Allied troops facing overwhelming German forces. Kindersley transferred to the Reconnaissance Corps, but sadly died in service in March 1941. His medals sold separately at auction in April 2026. I have copied a text about Kindersley from the medal auction at Noonan's of Mayfair below (credit to Noonan's for the text).

The sword came to me in a rather neglected state and covered in varnish and dirt, and has been carefully and sympathetically cleaned, so that it is now in good overall condition, with a bright blade and mostly clear etching, which include Kindersley's etched initials and family crest, as well as all the normal regimental etching and maker's name. The guard and pommel are plated and in good condition, as is the grip with all its original shagreen and wire in place and tight. The hilt is firm on the tang (the pommel unscrews to allow switching to a basket hilt) and the leather washer is the original one. Currently there is no scabbard with this sword, as it came to me like this, but as this is a straight blade and the current Highland scabbards are still regulation, the future owner could purchase a modern replacement. This is a desirable and relatively scarce pattern of sword, by Wilkinson, being the best maker of the day, and with fantastic provenance and research potential. Swords to Dunkirk MC winners do not come around very often.

M.C. London Gazette 22 October 1940.

The original recommendation, submitted by Brigadier J. G. Smyth, V.C., states: ‘On 29 May 1940 when 1st H.L.I. became surrounded by enemy tanks and infantry this officer was acting as Brigade Liaison Officer. He came through to Brigade H.Q. to report the situation of his battalion at great personal risk and later took back a message to his C.O. which enabled considerable elements of the battalion to be extricated under cover of darkness. His behaviour throughout was admirable and his reports clear, intelligent and helpful.’

Philip Douglas Ronald Kindersley was born in 1918 at Rekko Hill, Kajang, Malaya, where his father was established as a pioneer coffee and rubber planter. Sent to England for his education, Philip attended Repton School between 1932 and 1935, passing into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in 1936. He was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry in 1938, the Kindersley name being familiar in the regiment through the distinguished career of his uncle, Colonel Archibald Kindersley, CMG, and his cousin, Claude Kindersley (who would receive both the DSO and MC in the approaching war), already serving with the 2nd Battalion.

Second Lieutenant Kindersley served as intelligence officer of the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry when it joined the British Expeditionary Force in France. There it was assigned to Brigadier ‘Jackie’ Smyth’s 127 Infantry Brigade at his particular request, his high opinion of the regiment having been formed when its 2nd Battalion was present at the action in which he won the Victoria Cross in 1915. In mid May 1940, when the collapse of the French army and the German invasion of Holland obliged the B.E.F.’s withdrawal towards the Escaut line, 127 Brigade came under ‘Macforce’, a scratch formation created to guard the bridges over the River Scarpe between Raches and St. Amand and protect the exposed right flank. Here the H.L.I. came under sustained attack from the air, the beginning of two weeks of hard fighting during which they developed something of a speciality as a rearguard unit, in the retreat north-westwards to the Channel coast.

On 29 May 1940 the Battalion was at Rexpoëde, less than 10 miles from Dunkirk, having just completed a particularly arduous march of 25 miles, hard on the heels of two successive night withdrawals. The battalion was suddenly attacked in the rear by tanks which had broken through a neighbouring formation. Determined and effective resistance was immediately organised, which kept the enemy tanks and infantry at a distance all afternoon, the position being subjected to shelling and mortar fire throughout. Any movement at once drew rifle and automatic fire.

The situation was confused - the battalion out of touch with higher command and likely surrounded. It was in these circumstances that the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel J. D. Russell, gave Kindersley his task. As he recounted to a brother officer:

‘I have sent back Philip to get orders and find out what is happening. We can be quite sure that if it is humanly possible for anyone to get back, Philip will do it.’

This confidence was not misplaced; Kindersley’s journey to Brigade H.Q. under heavy fire, and his hazardous return with the order to retire, enabled the survival of the remainder of the battalion. Their arrival within the Dunkirk perimeter was a great relief to their Brigadier, as recalled by Smyth in his memoir:

‘I was particularly pleased with the H.L.I. They had had by far the worst time. They looked an awful crowd of ruffians, unshaven and black with sweat and dirt. But they were tremendously pleased with themselves. They had been up against a very awkward situation, had had a rough close-quarter scrap and given a great deal more than they had received in the way of hard knocks. They gave me a great welcome and were all full of fight and in high morale. I remembered my words to Gort when I chose them: “But they’ll fight like hell when it does start”. And they certainly did.’

When the Reconnaissance Corps was formed in January 1941, Lieutenant Kindersley was appointed to command C Squadron of 42nd Reconnaissance Regiment, in the acting rank of Captain. However, his promising career was brought to an abrupt close when a bout of scarlet fever developed into meningitis. He died at Ipswich Isolation Hospital in March 1941.

Also see: https://www.ipswichwarmemorial.co.uk/philip-dougla...

Wilkinson Highland Light Infantry Broadsword to WW2 Dunkirk Military Cross Winner

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