Historical information

This swagger stick belonged to Private Ernest LUCAS who served with the Royal Defence Corps between 17/6/1907 and 18/5/1919 including the 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
In the British Army before World War I, swagger sticks were carried by all other ranks when off duty as part of their walking out uniform. The stick took the form of a short cane of polished wood, with an ornamented metal head of regimental pattern. The usual custom was for the private soldier or NCO to carry the stick tucked under his arm.
Until 1939 swagger sticks were still carried by peacetime regular soldiers when "walking out" of barracks but the practice ceased with the outbreak of World War II.

Significance

The 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment can trace its history back to 7 August 1760 as part of the Middlesex Militia. In 1778 it was titled the 1st East Middlesex Militia. By royal order the regiment was later designated the Royal East Middlesex Militia on 24 April 1804. By 1855 it was using the formal title of "1st or Royal East Middlesex Regiment of Militia". In 1900 the number of regular Middlesex Regiment battalions was doubled with the formation of a new the 3rd and 4th battalions; and the two militia battalions were renumbered as 5th and 6th battalions of the regiment.
The unit's standing orders of 1863 record the regimental insignia as being somewhat unusual, in that it did not include standard royal crown, but featured a five-pointed Saxon Crown atop a shield with the arms of the East Saxon Kingdom i.e. three stylised Seaxes hilted and pommeledp

Physical description

Long narrow round cane made from polished reddish/brown wood with brass metal tip and embossed silver top

Inscriptions & markings

Silver metal top embossed with a crown above a shield inscribed 6th Battalion Middlesex Regt