Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

Swiss. A silver hunting cased quarter repeating keyless watch, circa 1890
Movement: gilded, lever escapement, repeating on coiled gongs, no. 6099
Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds
Case: silver, silver cuvette, repeat slide to the band, engraved crest to the cover,no. 11075
Signed: unsigned
Dimensions: diameter 53 mm.
Accessories: a leather and calf skin wallet with gilt initials F. A. B., signed to the interior ‘Captain F. A. Bligh, Brittas, Nobber, CMeath, Ireland’ £200-£300

Provenance: The property of Major Frederick Arthur Bligh
Frederick Arthur Bligh was born in Farnham, Surrey, on 3 July 1861, the only son of Major Frederick Cherburgh Bligh, 41st Regiment of Foot, and was educated at Cheltenham College and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 23 February 1881, and served in the Chestnut Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, being promoted Captain on 20 July 1889. Transferring to the Half Pay List on 13 September 1892, he relinquished his commission in 1895, after 12 years’ service, and returned to his native Ireland, serving as a J.P. for County Meath, and was High Sheriff in 1904.
On the outbreak of the Great War Bligh volunteered his services, and in June 1915 was called up in the rank of Major to train a Battery for the Ulster Division, Royal Field Artillery. On the last day of training at Okehampton, before leaving for the front, he was taken seriously ill, and died there of neglected appendicitis, contracted whilst on service, on 15 November 1915. He is buried in Headley All Saints Churchyard, Hampshire.