Original British WWII Uniform, Medal & Ephemera Grouping of Major James Francis Gates, Royal Corps of Signals with Trench Whistle & Letter of Commendation

Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Grouping. This is the extensive grouping of Major James Francis Gates, Royal Corps of Signals. Gates worked as Technical Lines Officer to 16 Area Signals in Alexandria in 1945, then being noticed by Chief Signal Officer Harold G. Henderson, who then saw him promoted to Chief Signal Officer of the Alexandria Area on his staff, and finally as his personal Senior Technical Staff Officer. “As such, he has been responsible for all Navy, Army, & R.A.F. Trunks within Egypt, and for their Fault Control as far East as Beirut and West to Tripoli, as well as for all Military Telephone and Teleprinter Exchanges within Egypt Command.

This great grouping includes:
- Gates’ uniform jacket with Major crown insignia on the shoulders, Royal Corps of Signals insignia, and a 5-place ribbon bar with the 1939-1945 Star, the Africa Star with a 1st Army device, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal, and the War Medal 1939–1945. The uniform was tailored by Austin Reed of Regent Street, and is named on the tag to Gates, dated 1942. The included trousers are in similar condition with the same maker’s tag, dated 1942. This set has certainly been together since the war, and is in tremendous order.
- Gates’ Officer’s Visor cap with a Royal Corps of Signals cap badge & buttons holding in the chinstrap. The hat is Size 7, and interestingly has a New York newspaper under the sweatband holding up the crown. The cap was made by Lincoln Bennett & Co. Hatters in Piccadilly, London.
- Gates’ medal bar on a plastic display board meant to fit in the pocket for display in civilian clothes. The bar includes the 1939-1945 Star, the Africa Star with a 1st Army device, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal, and the War Medal 1939–1945. The medals were originally all stitched in place so they wouldn't move, but the first and last medal have lost their stitching. Still displays great.
- Letter of commendation from Henderson on letterhead of the Headquarters, British Troops in Egypt, Cairo, commending Gates on his work during the war. Worthy of being framed with the uniform.
- Original Invitation to the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, dated 1911. A very rare document on its own, with Seat 86 written in. 5¼ x 7¾” 
- A framed 6⅞ x 9” photograph of Gates wearing this cap and likely this uniform, a fantastic piece to be able to display with the uniform.
- Riker case of Gates’ buttons and insignia including rank pips in various patinas, Signals cap badges, Signals buttons, six khaki rank shoulder sleeves, and a Royal Corps of Signals patch. Also included is a Royal Flying Corps hat badge that belonged to Gates’ father who served during World War I.
- Gates’ Soldier’s Service & Pay Book with his info filled out.
- Gates’ Dog Tags on their original string, with his number, 204866. 
- Gates’ Metropolitan Trench whistle on its original lanyard, hard to find on its own!
- Miscellaneous letters and postcards.
- Folder of miscellaneous ephemera, printed newspaper article, captured foreign money.
- Miscellaneous buckle and trench mirror. 
- Some miscellaneous straps.

This is a fantastic grouping to a commended Signals officer, ready for further research and display.