The East Surrey Regiment

 

This photo shows various items of silver including a XXXI Regiment silver salver, an East Surrey toothpick holder, a Huntingdonshire Deer snuff box which was presented to Lt Col Staunton and officers of the 31^st Foot, by Captain Brenchley on retiring from the service, date about 1850, and a XXXI table bell.

The Eager ink stand (on right of photo) was:-

“Presented to Colonel Eager CB, by his Brother Officers on his leaving the 31^st Regiment after serving in it for 44 years. 10^th March 1874”

It was later acquired by the Sergeants' Mess and kept by them for many years. In 1935 the ink stand was placed in the Officers’ Mess The Spence ink stand (on left of photo) was:-

“Presented to Lt Colonel Spence CB, by Lt Colonel Staunton and Officers of the 31^st Regiment as a token of their esteem and attachment on his leaving the Regiment in which he had served for a period of forty one years with high distinction to himself and honor to his Country”.

Colonel James Spence retired from Command of the Regiment in July 1849. Extract from “Historical Records of the 31^st Foot” by R Cannon:- “A beautiful ink stand has been recently presented to Colonel Spence. It has a soldier of the Thirty-First Regiment on the two extremities, in the position to receive Cavalry - the whole is surmounted with the British Lion. This Ink Stand formed part of the estate of the late Mrs F Spence wife of Major-General F Spence, Colonel James Spence’s brother, and was presented to the Regiment by Colonel J C M Doran CBE DSO RASC., his nephew, in 1932”.

The Viceroy’s Cigarette Box was:-

“Presented to the officers 1^st Bn The East Surrey Regiment by H E The Viceroy, Lord Willingdon, as a memento of his visit to Lahore 11^th March 1933”.

The Battalion furnished a Guard of Honour for his arrival in Lahore and mounted the Government House Guard during his stay.The letter to the Commanding officer Lt Col St G Schomberg DSO from the Military Secretary to the Viceroy is as follows.

Viceroys Camp
India

 

My Dear Schomberg

The Viceroy has asked me to say that he was very much impressed by the smart turn out, magnificent physique, and soldierly bearing of the Guard of Honour provided by your unit at Government House on the day of his arrival, and also by the alertness and efficiency of the Guards provided at Government House.

His excellency offers you his warmest congratulations, and he asks you to accept, on behalf of your officers, the small token which I am sending herewith as a memento of his visit to Lahore.

Lt Colonel H St G Schomberg DSO
Commanding, 1^st Battalion,
The East Surrey Regiment,
Lahore

 

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