Souvenir WW1 British Army 1st Brigade London - Division “Andenken An Das Rheinland” Brass Cigarette Case

Here on offer is a souvenir WW1 British Army, 1st Brigade - London – Division, “Andenken An Das Rheinland” (Souvenir of the Rhineland), brass cigarette case.

The German inscription translates as "Souvenir of the Rhineland". In March 1919 the British Army of the Rhine was established to control the British occupied zone. Clearly the 1st Brigade of the London Division was part of the British Army of the Rhine.

I have seen other examples of this type of souvenir cigarette case, with different regimental details of the British occupying forces.

The front of the case has been engraved with:

1st BRIGADE
LONDON – DIVISION
Andenken An Das Rheinland

around a central domed circular coloured image of the divisional badge, covered in a clear celluloid covering.

Inside the case, on both sides, it still retains the metal spring cigarette retaining strap.

Inside the lid it is stamped with the maker:

SCHLEGEL. G.M.B.H.
COLN-NIPPES

This is a rare find, especially in such excellent condition. There are just a couple of very shallow dings that are hard to see. The catch and hinge still work as they should.

It measures 3.75” (9.5cm) by 3” (7.6 cm) and weighs 87g.

Some history regarding the 1st London Division.

When the Territorial Force (TF) was created in 1908, the 1st London Brigade in the 1st London Division comprised the first four battalions of the new London Regiment, each of which had previously been a Volunteer battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (the City of London Regiment). When WW1 broke out in 1914, the 1st London Brigade was the first complete TF formation to go overseas on service, relieving the Regular Army garrison of Malta in September. Each battalion left behind a cadre of officers and men (mainly those who were unfit or who had not volunteered for overseas service) to organise a 2nd Line battalion from the mass of volunteers who were coming forward. These units were distinguished from the 1st line by a '2/' prefix, so that the 2/1st London Brigade consisting of the 2/1st, 2/2nd etc battalions of the London Regiment was created in the 2/1st London Division. Initially, the 2nd Line was regarded as a reserve for the TF overseas, but its units were soon being prepared for overseas service themselves.

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

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Many thanks for taking the time to look.

Code: 51914