Major General Heneker KCB, CGMC, DSO Frock Coat and Cap

Offered is a rare opportunity to buy the General officer frock coat and bicorn of a noted Canadian General with extensive, long and distinguished service in the British Army.

The fore and aft bicorn is in good condition and well marked within the cap liner with his name in period ink. The beaver felt surface is clean with no insect damage, the feathers are for General Officers and have seen extensive wear, the coiled bullion on the right side distinguishes this cap as that of a General Officer still hold their shape and gold colour wire bullion. The lining is in good condition and the parts are all present. There is no carry tin.

The frock is the standard dark long frock coat with the royal blue cuffs and collar distinctive to General Officers. The General buttons are WWI period with maker marks and original stitching. The collar has some threads that have seperated at the rear of the neck and require some minor repair and there is no mothing. The liner is in good condition but unfortunately has no label. That said, the loops on the left breasts match those for the order stars and neck decorations he was awarded. He was of small stature. The thick bullion General Officer rank boards are period with Major General rank.

The gilt and crimson General Officer belt sash is standard for the period with expected wear. I do not believe this is his belt, it is too large for the tunic, but still shows well to finish the uniform for display.

Sir William Charles Giffard Heneker, KCB, KCMG, DSO (22 August 1867 – 24 May 1939) was a Canadian soldier who served with the British Army in West Africa, India, and then later on the Western Front during the First World War. He was born in Quebec and entered the Canadian military through RMC where he finished as one of the top students to graduate in 1888. The British Army offered him a commission and he accepted with a start as a 2nd Lt in the Connaught Rangers in India. He was transferred to Africa in 1897 as a Captain and saw extensive service and action in Africa from 1893 to 1910, when he was shipped back to India with the rank of Brevet Colonel taking command of the 2nd Bn North Staffordshire Regiment. He was assigned Brigade Commander in 1912 and in 1914 was sent Home to ready for WWI.

In 1907 he wrote a book "Bush Warfare" that became the standard reference in the British Army on Jungle Operations until the 1930s. William Heneker was a resourceful and skilled soldier as well as an exceptional tactician. For his military services in West Africa he was invested by King Edward VII on 18 December 1903 with the DSO.

He was assigned to command a Brigade in 1915 in Europe. He later was promoted to Major General and took command of the 8th British Division. For his war service, Heneker was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in January 1918, Commander of the Legion of Honour in 1918, and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1919.

After the war he was assigned to the Rhine Occupation and was sent home to hold a command locally and was eventually sent back to India in 1928. He was promoted to full General in 1930 as C in C of British Forces and retired in 1932. He died in 1939. This fine Canadian was always recognized by his Canadian heritage and was obviously very talented having to compete in the British Army class system for recognition and promotion.

His medals were sold some time ago in a British Auction. They are in a private collection and included his Orders. It would be quite the coup to unite these items once again some day.

Code: 51875