Lot 512
AN INDIAN DEPARTMENTAL COMMISSIONERS UNIFORM.
The uniform of Edward Selwyn Hoernle as Department Commissioners for the Bihar and Orissa Region. Comprising tail coat and trousers, the coat with elaborate silver thread collar, with a nine button front, the cuffs similarly decorated, the reverse with a central radiating foliate motif between further buttons and blind pocket flaps, the trousers with a broad gilt stripe with running oakleaf and acorn design. With a Pith Helmet with gilt tassel to the left and decorated chin strap, the interior with a label 'Waterproof Tropical Helmet' and a dress sword with 78cm blade and gilt handle.
Provenance: The family of the original owner.
See the preceding and following two lots for further items from this family.
Edward Selwyn Hoernle (6/9/86 - 16/8/36) was born in Persia, his mother dying in child birth he was raised by his aunt, Educated at Winchester School and New College Oxford. He is recorded as a Lieutenant in the 1st Volunteer battalion of the Royal Hampshire Regiment with a seniority date of 28th July 1906. He took the civil service exams (Oct 19 1910) and entered the Indian Civil Service arriving in India on the 30th of November 1910. He moved to the Bihar and Orissa district in 1912 as acting under secretary to the government. Marrying Mabel Eden in 1913 the marriage to be later annulled. During the First World War he served from June 1917 as a Second Lieutenant (temporary Captain) 13/6/17 to January 1919 with the 2/90th Punjabis. From the 20th May 1920 he is recorded as a Lieutenant in the Chota Nagpur regiment. From 1924 he became the Department Commissioner for the Bihar and Orissa Region. He died of stomach cancer during a return journey to Great Britain on the 16th of August 1936, he was buried at sea and has a memorial in Gussage All Saints Churchyard.
