Like
New Condition!

Bicorn
Cocked Hat                     
Undated  

Made
by Gieve’s Ltd.                                Size   9

Sword
belt 33″ expandable + 3″            
Case 18 1/2″ L x 9 1/2″ H x 8 1/2″ W

 

Presented is a British Royal Navy, full dress, bicorn hat or chapeau formerly owned
by Dennis Brian Harvey Wildish, RN, CB (1914-2010), dating from when he served as a lieutenant from
1937 to 1943. It is in “Like New” condition, likely because it was never worn during the years of WW II. Dennis
Wilish was the son of Rear Admiral, Sir Henry William
Wilish, KBE, CB . Young Wilish entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1932 and retired as a Vice Admiral in 1972,
a forty year career which is unusual in its length. In 1968 he was inducted into the Order of Bath as a Companion Commander.
His entire Naval service is in the detailed table below.

The bicorn
hat comes with a Victorian style tin case for the hat, epaulets and sword belt. and was made by Gieve’s Ltd, the
premier purveyor of British uniforms and accoutrement’s. A photograph of Wilish accompanies these items.

 

Cocked hat, epaulets and sword belt in under hat. Crazed mirror

Uniforms of this
quality from Gieve’s Ltd owned by a named Royal Navy officer are rare. They are wonderful display items, and
in that era were similar to the Royal Navy Uniforms that date back to Lord Horatio Nelson as is shown in the print near the
bottom of this page. They serve to establish a historic connection with the past as is shown by this lithograph
of British Royal Navy Uniforms dated 1834. This surviving example of a lieutenants uniform of this style is in its original “excellent”
condition.

 

 

Royal Navy Officer Uniforms from 1829      Captain Lieutenant               Midshipman Marine

 

Front and Back of LT Wildish’s full dress uniform bicorn, cocked hat

 

 

CONDITION:
The hat is in excellent condition and may be considered “Like New”. The named case for the kit has 95% of its original
finish remaining with some minor scattered scratches, dents and minor surface oxidation. It’s mirror is crazed. The container
in the case for the belt is loose on the left bottom. The cover is removed by using the hole in the top and pulling up. The
epaulets and gold bullion hat trim are generally bright.
The sword belt is very good with some cracked and worn leather. 

 

Epaulets and sword belt

Naval Career of VADM Denis Bryan Wildish, RN,
CB

 

 

Wildish, Denis Bryan Harvey “Dick” Only son of Engr Rear­Adm. Sir Henry William Wildish, KBE, CB (1884-1973), and Elfrida Phyllis Bryant, of Formby House, Formby, Lancashire. Married (11.06.1941, St Hildeburgh’s Church, Hoylake) Leslie Henrietta Jacob (died 12.01.2009, aged 88), second daughter of Capt. C.W. Jacob, and Mrs Jacob, of Merle Dene, Bidston; two daughters.

24.12.1914 Milton district, Kent – 01.2009 still alive

Cadet   01.05.1932   Midsh. (E)   01.01.1933   S.Lt. (E)   01.11.1935   Lt. (E)   01.08.1937   A/Lt.Cdr. (E)   01.11.1944   Lt.Cdr. (E)   01.08.1945   Cdr. (E)   30.06.1948   Capt. (E)   31.12.1957   R.Adm.   07.07.1966   V.Adm.   06.04.1970 (retd 14.09.1972)         CB   08.06.1968   HM’s birthday 68 [investiture 26.11.68]     MID   01.01.1944   New Year 44

Education: RN College, Dartmouth (1928-1931); RN Engineering College, Keyham. 1932   –   1932   HMS Ramillies (battleship) (Mediterranean)   06.1932   –   (09.1932)   HMS Revenge (battleship) (Mediterranean)   12.01.1933   –   (02.)1936   transferred to Engineering Branch & study at RN Engineering College, Keyham   01.09.1936   –   (06.)1938   HMS Nelson (battleship) (Home Fleet)   24.06.1938   –   (08.)1939   RN Mechanical Training Establishment [HMS Pembroke (RN base, Chatham)]   14.05.1940   –   (12.)1941   Damage Control Officer, HMS Prince of Wales (battleship) (10.12.1941 wounded in action)   1941?   –   1942?   HMS Kedah (base, Singapore)   1942   Staff of Fleet Engineer Officer, Far East Fleet   02.1942   –   02.1944   Engineer Officer, HMS Isis (destroyer)   29.02.1944   –   09.1946   RN Engineering College, Keyham   11.09.1946   –   1948   Senior Engineer, HMS Implacable (aircraft carrier)   (07.1948)   no appointment listed   1948   –   1949   Planning Staff, Exercise Trident   05.08.1949   –   1951   Staff of Engineer Officers’ Administrative Course, RN Engineering College, Manadon, Plymouth [HMS Thunderer]   15.10.1951   –   1954   Assistant Naval Attaché (Technical), British Embassy, Rome, Italy (to Italy, Czechoslovakia & Switzerland)   18.01.1954   –   (01.)1956   Engineer Officer, HMS Eagle and Staff Engineer Officer to Flag Officer Heavy Squadron   1956   –   1958   Admiralty, Officer Planning Section, 2nd Sea Lord’s Department   1958   –   1960   Admiralty Engineer Overseer, Southern District   19.04.1960   –   26.11.1962   Deputy Director, Fleet Maintenance (Organization), Fleet Maintenance Division, Department of Dockyards and Maintenance, Admiralty [HMS President]   26.11.1962   –   1964   Director of Fleet Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance Division, Department of Dockyards and Maintenance, Admiralty [HMS President]   1964   senior officers’ war course   1964   –   1966   Commodore, Naval Drafting   26.10.1966   –   1970   Admiral Superintendent HM Dockyard, Devonport   06.1970   –   1972   Director General of Personal Services and Training (Naval) and Deputy Second Sea Lord   Rep. RN at cricket, also RN, Combined Services, Devon, and W of England at hockey