Description
Physical description
breeches
khaki Bedford cord riding breeches; cut wide above the knees and tapering tight from the knee downwards. Lower calves are adjusted for snug fitting by a green drawstring, laced between ten pairs of matching brown-painted metal grommets. Reinforced patches made of cord are sewn to the inner lower thighs and there are two slash pockets, one either side of the fly front. Breeches are cut high at the waist and have buttons to the rear and front for fitting braces. Internally the waist and pockets are lined in khaki drill.
Label
Riding breeches associated with the First World War service of Lance-Corporal J D Lowe in the Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry. His father stated that he rode a bicycle rather than a horse and in this connection it is possible that Lance-Corporal Lowe formed part of the 2/1stWestmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry which was initially attached to the Western Mounted Brigade. Redesignated 21st Mounted Brigade in April 1916 the formation was again redesignated in July 1916 as the 14th Cyclist Brigade. Lance Corporal Lowe is known to have escorted German prisoners of war back to Germany after the Armistice.
From 1902 the British Army adopted a universal Service Dress, with mounted troops wearing breeches.
History note
From 1902 the British Army adopted a universal Service Dress, with mounted troops wearing breeches. Lance-Corporal Lowe served with the Westmoreland & Cumberland Yeomanry, his father stating that he rode a bicycle and not a horse. Lowe is known to have escorted German POWs back to Germany after the Armistice.
[Note: The 2/1st was raised in September 1914 and later redesignated as the 14th Cyclist Brigade in 1916 (21st Mounted Brigade). Most of its wartime service was in Great Britain until moving to Ireland in May 1918.]
See file for photographic images of L/Cpl Lowe.