Original WW2 British Army Officer's Khaki Drill Long Socks - Mantell

Original WW2 British Army Officer's Khaki Drill Long Socks - Mantell

Code: 54166

SOLD

An original pair of British Army officer's woollen long socks as worn with the Khaki Drill uniform which belonged to Captain John Campbell Mantell M.B.E. who served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during the Second World War and in Palestine.

J. C. Mantell was an officer with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and is listed in the October 1944 Gazette as and again in August 1945. In late 1944 or early 1945 he saved a number of men in his section whilst on a training exercise in Wales when a hand grenade landed in the trench he was standing in. He picked it up and got it clear of the trench and his men but wounded his hand in the process which meant he spent some months recovering. He went on to serve in Palestine where the regiment was involved in internal security operations during the Jewish Insurgency. 

The socks are the standard pattern worn throughout WW2 and into the immediate post-war period by officer's of the British Army whilst serving in hot climates. This particular pair is undated but other pairs which belonged to the same man have wartime dates. 

The socks are in good condition with signs of wear and use. There are some period darn repairs and the odd small hole but they display well and are in the same condition they were in when last used by the original owner. 

A hard to find piece of British officer's uniform from this period.