Rare WW1 Period 48th Canadian Highlanders Horse Hair and Leather Sporran Named to CQMS – Sgt Major Frank James Stinson

Here on offer is a rare example of a WW1 period 48th Canadian Highlanders horse hair and leather sporran named to Company Quartermaster Sergeant Major (CQMS), Frank James Stinson, service no. 192159.

All I know is that CQMS Frank James Stinson was from Toronto and served in WW1 from 28th August 1917.

This impressive sporran is in excellent condition and has a fine hand etched thistle motif on the bright nickel silver upper plate.

Set onto the middle of this plate is a highly detailed 48th Canadian Highlanders silver regimental badge with a red felt backing.

It displays the regimental motto:

DILEAS GU BRATH (Faithful Forever)

The long dark horse hair main section is attached securely to the plate and it is complete with its two light horse hair bristle tassels. These are suspended by small metal chains and have nickel silver tassel tops, with ornate raised thistle designs.

On the back is a large opening rear leather purse that still retains its original top flap and inside, its edge flaps are still in place.

On the top of the flap are the hand written but now faint owner’s details, his name, rank and service number.

The flap has some very small man-made holes but no sign of a button ever being fitted.
Above the flap the two leather belt loops are still securely stitched in place and there are three old metal nuts that secure the front plate to the leather purse.

The leather is in excellent condition and subtle for its age.

It measures 17.5” (44.5cm) long and 7.2” (18cm) wide.

It weighs 420g.

Some history of the 48th Highlanders of Canada.

The 48th Highlanders of Canada was founded in 1891, when the Toronto Scottish community succeeded in their efforts to have a Highland regiment in their young city. The Regiment has remained a Militia (Reserve) infantry regiment located in downtown Toronto ever since. A tartan, The Old Davidson, and a falcon's head for the regimental crest honour the first Commanding Officer, John Irvine Davidson. The original full dress scarlet uniform is still worn today.

During WW1 The 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) went overseas with the first Canadian contingent in October 1914 equipped in uniforms paid for by the Regiment. The 48th recruited three battalions, the 15th and two reinforcement battalions, 92nd and 134th.

Facing the first gas attack of the war at the Second Battle of Ypres on 24 April 1915, the 48th were ordered to stand to the end. They did, losing 664 Highlanders, killed, wounded or prisoners of war.

The 15th Battalion continued to the war's end in battles including the Somme, Passchendaele and Vimy Ridge, earning 21 Battle Honours. 1,625 Highlanders were killed in action.

WW1 Battle Honours

YPRES, 1915, '17; Gravenstafel; St. Julien; FESTUBERT, 1915; MOUNT SORREL; SOMME, 1916; Pozières; Thiepval; Ancre Heights; ARRAS, 1917, '18; Vimy, 1917; Arleux; Scarpe 1917, '18; HILL 70; Passchendaele; AMIENS; Drocourt-Quéant; HINDENBURG LINE; Canal du Nord; PURSUIT TO MONS; FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915-18.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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Code: 51177