A pair of Scottish Deputy Lieutenant epaulettes
Category
Costume
Date
1864 - 1896
Materials
metal and velvet
Measurements
200 mm (H)240 mm (H)160 mm (W)140 mm (D)
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Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246334
Caption
Captain Ronnie Grenville’s silvered epaulettes from his Life Guards dress uniform. Epaulettes are ornamental shoulder pieces used on military uniforms; placement, colour, length and diameter all indicate their rank. Epaulettes first appeared on British uniforms at the end of the eighteenth century and were removed from field uniforms just before the First World War. The Life Guards is the senior regiment of the British Army and part of the Household Cavalry. These epaulettes are in a velvet-lined box.
Summary
William McEwan Esq.(1827-1913) was a Scottish Deputy Lieutenant for the City and County of Edinburgh for 30 years. These epaulettes were part of his ceremonial uniform.
Full description
A pair of bullion wire epaulettes, the crescents of which have thistles embroidered in gold and silver. The underside is red to match a full dress scarlet double-breasted coatee with white tails of the regalia. It is kept in a black velvet-lined purpose built hinged tin. Sadly the uniform is not part of the collection. The London Gazette, December 30, 1881. Commissions signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the City and County of the City of Edinburgh, and the Liberties thereof,... William McEwan Esq. to be Deputy Lieutenant. Dated 21st December 1881. He held this position for thirty years but declined the offer of a title. William was the father of Margaret Greville, née Anderson. She was very close to her father and kept many of his personal belongings.