A First World War period officer's Verner's pattern compass, named to R L McCreery, 12th Lancers, in an original leather case further named with initials 'R.L. Mc C' (General Sir Richard Loudon McCreery)

Provenance: Captain Samuel Charles Robert Lane Clarke, Wiltshire Regiment; later Reverend Clarke (b. 25th August 1891). How he acquired this compass is unclear. Although serving in different regiments and theatres during the First World War, it is quite possible that both career service soldiers crossed one another's paths during their long respective military lives. McCreery was promoted to Adjutant of the 12th Lancers in 1921 and the regiment was stationed in Ireland, as was Clarke with the Wiltshire Regiment. Capt. Clarke was known to be a gambler; this compass could have been the fruit of one such game. Possible Wiltshire connections include when McGreery was Brigade Major of 2 Cavalry Brigade from 1930-1933 when stationed at Tidworth on Salisbury Plain; however, Major Clarke was stationed at Crownhill Plymouth until 1932 when he was moved to Aldershot.

General Sir Richard Loudon McCreery, GCB, KBE, DSO, MC (1 February 1898 – 18 October 1967) was decorated for leading one of the last cavalry actions in the First World War. During the Second World War, he was chief of staff to General Sir Harold Alexander at the time of the Second Battle of El Alamein. He later commanded the British Eighth Army, fighting in the Italian campaign from October 1944 until, leading it to victory in the final offensive in Italy.

Condition Report

The personalisation details are where the serial number and manufacturer details normally are. However, this looks like a Verner's pattern MK VIII, circa 1917/18

Missing the original rubber friction disc.
The compass apprears to be in working order and points north. There is some loss of paint to the arrow on the dial, which was probably originally luminous, and a small blemish to the glass. The small magnifier works. The cover is missing the circular glass reticule.

The leather case has expected wear but remains supple and has no significant tears


Please see additional images

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