The Independent Order of Rechabites (IOR), also known as the Sons and Daughters of Rechab is a friendly society founded in England in 1835 as part of the wider British temperance movement to promote total abstinence from alcoholic beverages. This type of sash was worn by a Past District Chief Ruler. This particular sash belonged to Lieutenant Colonel William McGregor Cairncross. He lived at the property now known as 'Medlow', although during his occupancy it was known as 'Willcyrus', named after two of his sons - Sergeant William McGregor Cairncross and Trooper Cyrus Hay Cairncross, who served with the 2nd Scottish Horse during the Boer War and in British units in the First World War. Lt Col Cairncross served at the Victoria Barracks in Melbourne for 25 years and designed a water bottle used by Australian colonial troops. During the Boer War he was controller of stores at Victoria Barracks. He died 24 May 1903 at his home.Pointed collar / sash; white silk / satin front with 3 x red stripes down each side; yellow stripes along edges; red satin backing; metallic gold tassels on the outer edge; colourful woven text and design on white segments on each side; one side "Independent Order of Rechabites SALFORD UNITY" around shield emblem; sheild with - beehive, sword and flame and wheat sheaf above, inside shield lamb, all-seeing eye, sun, moon with seven stars, snake, two birds, three white arrow heads, rose, clover and thistle symbols, "PEACE & PLENTY THE REWARD OF TEMPERANCE" in banner below; other side "PAST CHIEF RULER", crossed flags of Royal Standard of Great Britain, USA and Scotland above with triangle in centre of flags, text "TRUTH, FORTITUDE, JUSTICE" "IOR" in centre of triangle, 3 x overlapping shields below main text: one with flag of USA, one with symbols of Rechabites, one with the Royal Standard of Great Britain.independent order of rechabites, surrey hills tent no 309, regalia, william cairncross, william mcgregor cairncross, sash

Designed from the experience of the British Army in the Anglo Boer War 1899-1902 for infantry and mounted troops. Bandolier included as part of the 1903 Pattern Bandolier Equipment ensemble. Dismounted troops very quickly rejected the Bandolier Equipment and it was replaced by the 1908 pattern Infantry web equipment. Australian horse mounted troops continued using the 1903 Bandolier equipment til they exchanged their horses for motorised vehicles in the early 1940's These bandoliers were worn by soldiers of the 4th, 17th, and 19th Light Horse Regiments and their precedent untis from c. 1905 to c.1942. Current 4/19th soldiers wear a bandolier styled on this bandolier when carrying a lance in Parades.Bandolier, 1903 pattern, 90 rounds mk. 2. Leather, Veg. tan, colour brown, brass buckles studs and triangle.M. A. RISK 1915 (Manufacturers mark and date of manuf.)leather, bandolier, 1903, accoutrements, equipment, 9 pockets