To view our current inventory of antique and vintage military covers, chapeauxs, and bicorn hats, click here!

This Fine Kit Has Been Sold. Thank you!   VICE ADMIRAL Then LT D.B. WILDISH, RN, CB  FULL DRESS BICORN HAT, EPAULETS & SWORD BELT  Like New Condition!   Bicorn Cocked Hat                                  Undated   Made by Gieve's Ltd.                                Size   9 Sword belt 33" expandable + 3"             Case 18 1/2" L x 9 1/2" H x 8 1/2" W Presented is a British Royal Navy, full dress, bicorn hat or chapeau formerly owned by Dennis Brian Harvey Wildish, RN, CB (1914-2010), dating from when he served as a lieutenant from 1937 to 1943. It is in "Like New" condition, likely because it was never worn during the years of WW II. Dennis Wilish was the son of Rear Admiral, Sir Henry William Wilish, KBE, CB . Young Wilish entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1932 and retired as a Vice Admiral in 1972, a forty year career which is unusual in its length. In 1968 he was inducted into the Order of Bath as a Companion Commander. His entire Naval service is in the detailed table below. The bicorn hat comes with a Victorian style tin case for the hat, epaulets and sword belt. and was made by Gieve's Ltd, the premier purveyor of British uniforms and accoutrement's. A photograph of Wilish accompanies these items.     Cocked hat, epaulets and sword belt in under hat. Crazed mirror Uniforms of this quality from Gieve's Ltd owned by a named Royal Navy officer are rare. They are wonderful display items, and in that era were similar to the Royal Navy Uniforms that date back to Lord Horatio Nelson as is shown in the print near the bottom of this page. They serve to establish a historic connection with the past as is shown by this lithograph of British Royal Navy Uniforms dated 1834. This surviving example of a lieutenants uniform of this style is in its original "excellent" condition.        Royal Navy Officer Uniforms from 1829      Captain                Lieutenant               Midshipman       Marine        Front and Back of LT Wildish's full dress uniform bicorn, cocked hat CONDITION: The hat is in excellent condition and may be considered "Like New". The named case for the kit has 95% of its original finish remaining with some minor scattered scratches, dents and minor surface oxidation. It's mirror is crazed. The container in the case for the belt is loose on the left bottom. The cover is removed by using the hole in the top and pulling up. The epaulets and gold bullion hat trim are generally bright. The sword belt is very good with some cracked and worn leather.       Epaulets and sword belt   Naval Career of VADM Denis Bryan Wildish, RN, CB     Wildish, Denis Bryan Harvey "Dick" Only son of Engr Rear­Adm. Sir Henry William Wildish, KBE, CB (1884-1973), and Elfrida Phyllis Bryant, of Formby House, Formby, Lancashire. Married (11.06.1941, St Hildeburgh's Church, Hoylake) Leslie Henrietta Jacob (died 12.01.2009, aged 88), second daughter of Capt. C.W. Jacob, and Mrs Jacob, of Merle Dene, Bidston; two daughters. 24.12.1914 Milton district, Kent - 01.2009 still alive Cadet 01.05.1932 Midsh. (E) 01.01.1933 S.Lt. (E) 01.11.1935 Lt. (E) 01.08.1937 A/Lt.Cdr. (E) 01.11.1944 Lt.Cdr. (E) 01.08.1945 Cdr. (E) 30.06.1948 Capt. (E) 31.12.1957 R.Adm. 07.07.1966 V.Adm. 06.04.1970 (retd 14.09.1972) CB 08.06.1968 HM's birthday 68 [investiture 26.11.68] MID 01.01.1944 New Year 44 Education: RN College, Dartmouth (1928-1931); RN Engineering College, Keyham. 1932 - 1932 HMS Ramillies (battleship) (Mediterranean) 06.1932 - (09.1932) HMS Revenge (battleship) (Mediterranean) 12.01.1933 - (02.)1936 transferred to Engineering Branch & study at RN Engineering College, Keyham 01.09.1936 - (06.)1938 HMS Nelson (battleship) (Home Fleet) 24.06.1938 - (08.)1939 RN Mechanical Training Establishment [HMS Pembroke (RN base, Chatham)] 14.05.1940 - (12.)1941 Damage Control Officer, HMS Prince of Wales (battleship) (10.12.1941 wounded in action) 1941? - 1942? HMS Kedah (base, Singapore) 1942 Staff of Fleet Engineer Officer, Far East Fleet 02.1942 - 02.1944 Engineer Officer, HMS Isis (destroyer) 29.02.1944 - 09.1946 RN Engineering College, Keyham 11.09.1946 - 1948 Senior Engineer, HMS Implacable (aircraft carrier) (07.1948) no appointment listed 1948 - 1949 Planning Staff, Exercise Trident 05.08.1949 - 1951 Staff of Engineer Officers' Administrative Course, RN Engineering College, Manadon, Plymouth [HMS Thunderer] 15.10.1951 - 1954 Assistant Naval Attaché (Technical), British Embassy, Rome, Italy (to Italy, Czechoslovakia & Switzerland) 18.01.1954 - (01.)1956 Engineer Officer, HMS Eagle and Staff Engineer Officer to Flag Officer Heavy Squadron 1956 - 1958 Admiralty, Officer Planning Section, 2nd Sea Lord's Department 1958 - 1960 Admiralty Engineer Overseer, Southern District 19.04.1960 - 26.11.1962 Deputy Director, Fleet Maintenance (Organization), Fleet Maintenance Division, Department of Dockyards and Maintenance, Admiralty [HMS President] 26.11.1962 - 1964 Director of Fleet Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance Division, Department of Dockyards and Maintenance, Admiralty [HMS President] 1964 senior officers' war course 1964 - 1966 Commodore, Naval Drafting 26.10.1966 - 1970 Admiral Superintendent HM Dockyard, Devonport 06.1970 - 1972 Director General of Personal Services and Training (Naval) and Deputy Second Sea Lord Rep. RN at cricket, also RN, Combined Services, Devon, and W of England at hockey             FLAT RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States$45.00. OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase, it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States and are refundable if due to our error. International buyers welcome, but must inquire first. You are responsible for knowing your country's import laws covering edged weapons. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to seller, but credit cards may be accepted through PayPal for verified members by special arrangement. Buy this very special Royal Navy pre WW II uniform!  Copyright 2012 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved