George V Pair of Silver Plated Corinthian Column Candlesticks, each with Inscription 'From The Officers 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) 1st June 1915'. The nozzles are fixed.
55th Coke's Rifles were a regiment of the British Indian Army being raised in 1849 as the 1st Regiment of Punjab Infantry, by Captain John Coke. The regiment remained loyal to the British during the 1857 Mutiny. In 1865 the regiment name was changed to the Punjab Frontier Force, due to their policing of the North West Frontier. In 1901 it became the 1st Punjab Infantry and in 1903 it was designated as a rifle regiment, becoming 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force).
During World War One the regiment remained on the North West Frontier, but many men were attached to other units. In April 1915 Jemadar Mir Dast, while attached to 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force) won the 55th's one and only Victoria Cross for action at Wieltie, Belgium. The Victoria Cross was awarded in June of 1915.
Each candlestick is marked for Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company of Regent Street, London.
Both are in excellent condition with no loss of silver plate. Both stand straight with minor surface depressions around the sides of the bases. These were adapted for electrical use as lamps with the candlestick holder being more shallow than usual with a screw and thread. They can still be used as candlesticks, or wired and put back to electrical lamp use. The other part of the electrical conversion is to the underside of the bases.
Approximate weight of the pair is 3.2 kilos.
Approximate dimensions of one are 33 cm height and 13 cm base length/width.