Important notice for collections and office opening times
We are open until Tuesday 23 December 2025 from 8:30am to 4:00pm and will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026 for normal working hours.
We are also open for collections only on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 December from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Appointments are required, so please contact the office to arrange a time.
Wishing all of our customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
If you need to arrange a collection appointment, please contact the office.
A rare and complete Victorian officers' dress uniform comprising a scarlet single breasted coatee having silver threaded epaulets and collar stitched with acorns, the coat tails embroidered with same motif and buttons embossed with crowns, black breeches having braided side stripe, red belt with buckle bearing entwined initials crest for Queen Victoria, bicorn hat also with acorn motif and gold threadword knots to sides complete with ostrich feather plume contained in separate cannister and black leather shoes with side lace insets. The coatee labelled with Henry Poole Saville Row Tailor's label ( know as the 'Founders of Saville Row', original specializing in Military uniforms) and bearing number and name '1277 F. Stapleton- Bretherton'. All pieces contained in original metal storage trunk, with conforming nameplate. PROVENANCE While there is no direct provenance for the uniform, it is likely that it may have belonged to Frederick Stapleton- Bretherton (1873-1938), a major who fought in both the Boer War and WW1, later mentioned in Dispatches. The family were well respected with established military connections and owned Rainhill Hall in Lancashire. Stapleton-Bretherton may have served with the Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry Calvary.
A black case containing a WWII medal group comprising Air Crew Europe Star, two War Medals and Defense Medal with associated documents, photographs and log book to Pilot Officer John Thomas Armon Royal Canadian Air Force. Associated correspondents discuss Pilot Officer Armon being missing after leaving for attacks on Karlsruhe in a Lancaster bomber. Later letters confirm he died in action and are complete with photographs of the grave.
