Large Fierce Mammal

Introduction by LFM:

I first met Troy Zwicker when I joined what was then called the Bridgewater Fencing Club, now the South Shore Duellists, in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, back in the last century. I came to know him as among the most aggressive épée fencers I’ve ever crossed steel with, and it was at that time his interest in the collecting of swords had its genesis, only slightly confounded by his being only in his early twenties, and hence revenue challenged. A score of years hence, the somewhat older and slightly more careworn Troy of the current era is happily employed as a faithful servant of Her Majesty, and now pursues his primary passions of sport fishing and the collecting of British military swords with vigour from his home in the backwoods of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.

The sword under discussion today is a beautifully preserved Victorian era British infantry officer’s sidearm; specifically a Wilkinson made 1845 pattern blade mounted with a pattern 1897 hilt. It entered Mr. Zwicker’s collection in July 2011 by way of John C. Denner Co. of North Lancaster, Ontario, and in a conversation with him in March of this year he said this of what attracted him to the acquisition:

I really only remember vague details about the way the sword was listed in John’s catalogue. I think it was referred to as a “fighting” sword because of the slightly larger dimensions – 33 x 1 1/8 instead of the usual 32.5 x 1″, and of course the steel ’97 hilt which gives good protection. I bought it because it was all those things plus a Wilkinson with ledger paper so it at least offered the possibility of being researched!

I have seen many photos of ’95 and ’97 hilts on the older ’45 pattern blades and think they are rather handsome looking weapons. I remember having a phone conversation with John (Denner), and he was of the same opinion.

As it turns out, so is Matt Easton (Scholagladiatoria); he mentions this very thing in one of his videos.

Indeed he does, and before going further, let us pause to hear what the Esteemed Swordmaster Matt Easton has to say.

The detective work required to take a sword that arrived sans provenance to one of known and properly documented history reveals a thoroughly edifying yarn, which led me to ask Troy to contribute this piece. Now, over to Troy!

The Lawford Sword in repose with scabbard and sword knot. Click to enlarge (Troy Zwicker photo)

Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford

My research into the British officer who owned/carried a sword in my collection has concluded, much to my satisfaction:

This sword; Wilkinson made, Infantry officer’s sword (1897 pattern hilt married to an 1845 pattern blade made and purchased in 1885, belonged to Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford!

Wilkinson “Proof” documentation. Click to enlarge. (Troy Zwicker photo)

I have spent many hours on-line scouring census, genealogy and military sites. I have put together information from the original Wilkinson “proof” ledger that provided details of date of purchase, regiment of intended, and type of sword and the initials of the purchaser. (March 06, 1885, full infantry 33 x 1 1/8″, Royal Fusiliers, sold to G.S.V. Lawford Esq. or maybe P.S.V. Lawford. It seems G.Lawford was George Lawford, (Sydney’s cousin, a stock broker, like Sydney’s father, who became Master of the Drapers Guild in 1885). P. Lawford was Percy Lawford, another cousin who was a solicitor; one of these cousins seemingly purchased the sword for young Sydney as Thomas, Sydney’s father, had died the previous year.

Sydney Lawford’s academic record. Highlighting added. Click to enlarge. (Troy Zwicker photo)

I have a copy of Sydney’s academic performance (he rated as Very Good!) from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst that lists such details as his father’s occupation (private gentleman; his father was a stock broker and the Lawford family were major players in the London legal and finance district and in the Drapers Guild), Sydney’s date of commission and to which regiment (Feb 07, 1885, Royal Fusiliers (The London Regiment) .

I have perused (endlessly it seems) Hart’s Army Lists 1885 to 1920 following Sydney’s progression upward through the officer ranks. Sydney was the only Lawford officer in the Royal Fusiliers in 1885 and for many years afterwards.

Lawford Family crest. Click to enlarge. (John Denner photo)

I have identified positively the family crest etched on the blade as belonging to the London Lawford family (their crest hangs prominently from the ceiling of the Court Dining Room in Drapers Hall in London and Sydney’s grandfather, great grandfather and various uncles/cousins were Clerks and Masters of the Drapers Guild).

Sydney served first in India, then South Africa (in the 2nd Boer War as Captain, made Major after) returned to England and served as Commandant to the School of Mounted Infantry.

A testament to the valourous Sir Sydney Lawford, offered in remembrance. Click to enlarge.

In The Great War, he served as Major-General commanding 41st. Division throughout the war, the only C.O. to command a division for the duration of the war. On one occasion, he led a successful charge against a German position armed only with his cane. Another time, his horse was decapitated by a German shell, he picked himself up, mounted another horse, and continued on his way as if nothing untoward had occurred. He was knighted on the battlefield, was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General, serving in India before retiring in 1926. Nick-named “Swanky Syd” (presumably behind his back), for his habit of wearing full dress uniform for all occasions (including medals!).

Click to enlarge.

His son (from his third marriage, to May Sommerville Bunny) was movie star Peter Lawford, member of the Rat Pack and brother-in-law to President John F. Kennedy. According to one source:

After the Great War, Sir Sydney fell in love with the former May Somerville Bunny, whom was married to another man at the time. She became pregnant with Sir Sydney’s child, and she gave birth to the future Peter Lawford (future, as Lawford fils originally bore the name of his mother’s husband; he did not find out his true birth status until he was an adult). Sir Sydney and May eventually married after she secured a divorce, but the resulting scandal caused the couple to flee England for France and then America, where they settled in Palm Beach, Florida (a prime haunt of Peter’s future father-in-law, Joseph P. Kennedy, head of F.B.O. studio and later R.K.O.-Radio Pictures).

Sir Sydney’s younger brother Ernest Lawford was an actor who appeared in some silent films. Late in his life, Sir Sydney appeared in three motion pictures, two of them at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the studio to which his son Peter was signed too. He made his debut in an uncredited bit in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1945), which his his son starred in. He also appeared that year in Mitchell Leisen’s “Kitty” in an unbilled role in support of Paulette Goddard. He wrapped up his career by appearing in Robert Z. Leonard’s adaption of John Marquand’s novel “B.F.’s Daughter” (1948), again uncredited.

Sir Sydney Lawford died in Los Angeles, California on February 15, 1953. His widow, Peter’s mother Lady May Lawford (who was billed as Mary Somerville in the two films she appeared in), was briefly married to the Paramount producer `Monta Bell’ after General Lawford’s death.

Here’s to you Swanky Syd!!!!

The author would like to express his most sincere thanks to the following people for their kind assistance; J.G. Hopkins, C. Somerfield, John Hart (Sword Forum International). Much gratitude for a wealth of information to Herry Lawford on the Lawford connections to the London Draper’s Guild. Matt Easton, whose passion and enthusiasm is clearly evident (and barely exceeds my own!), for providing the inspiration to persevere in my research attempt. John Denner for our enjoyable conversations on British military swords. Finally to a man who passed away many years before I was born, in a foreign land far from that of his birth, after a lifetime of service and adventure and who was clearly lucky in war and love (eventually!); Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford.