A 12-BORE 'NO.2 GRADE' SIDELOCK EJECTOR,
30in. nitro barrels, tubes engraved 'HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON.', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. in both, action with patent gas checks, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, fine border and scroll engraving, 15in. figured stock including 1in. leather covered recoil pad, fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch, weight 6lb. 9oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun was completed in 1899 for Capt. F.H. Garnett.
Holland & Holland 'No.2'
Frederick Herbert Garnett served for many years in the London Scottish before joining the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, on the 2nd May 1900, with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In 1908 this became the 8th Battalion (Territorial Force) Worcestershire Regiment and Captain Garnett served with it till 1910. When First World War broke out in 1914 he rejoined and volunteered for overseas' service, but instead he was appointed in 1915 to command the 3/8th (Reserve) Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, which he did till September 1916, after which he was Commandant of a POW camp
Frederick Herbert Garnett
On the 9th August 1893, at Woolacombe, a boy of 15, son of Mr M. Reynolds of Bristol, was carried 4500 yards out to sea while swimming from a bathing machine. The man in charge of the machine tried to reach the boy with a rope, but was thrown back by the waves and undercurrent. Mr Garnett left his wife and family on the beach, swam out to the exhausted boy and, with great difficulty, brought him ashore. Mr Reynolds said he had saved two lives, for had been about to try to save his son, but feared he would not have returned had he gone.
Award: Bronze Medal (Case number 26677)
His RHS Bronze Medal is in the Worcestershire Regimental Museum, donated by his daughter.