A First World War Silver Cigarette Case with Cypher for the Irish Guards. Below the regimental badge is a monogram and a date of 1918. The interior is gilded and fitted with elastic.
During the First World War, the Irish Guards were deployed to France and they remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war. During the course of the war, the Regiment was awarded 406 medals 4 of which were Victoria Crosses and lost over 2,300 officers and men.
One of the most famous Officers of the Regiment was Jack Kipling, the only son of Rudyard Kipling, who was initially rejected from service due to his poor eyesight. His father pulled strings in order to allow him to join up with the 2nd Battalion and he was killed in September 1915 at the Battle of Loos. His body was never found and his devastated father wrote the poem ‘My Boy Jack’ which was also dramatised into a play.
Hallmarked for Birmingham 1914 by A & J Zimmerman Ltd.
In excellent condition with light surface wear commensurate with age.
Approximate weight is 94 grams or 3 troy ounces.
Approximate dimensions are 8.5 cm length, 7 cm width and 1.5 cm depth.