ww1 death plaque and flute

[martin hall]

Hi pick,t up these yesterday , think flute is ww1 not sure no markings , plaque has been mounted at some point. no marking on flute. thanks for looking best martin. any pointer s on value would help ?

[martin hall]

flute

[A H]

No idea about the flute but I would list the plaque on my site at £50. Its not a unique name there are two David Borthwick's on Commonwealth War Graves Commission and another two with middle names that could possibly have been left off the plaque. If it was a unique name I would list it at £70 - £75 obviously more if an officer, 1st July 1916, RFC, Pals, ect.....

Here is the info on the two possible matches

Name: BORTHWICK, DAVID
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery
Unit Text: "C" Bty. 315th Bde.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 11/06/1917
Service No: 650165
Additional information: Son of David and Susan Borthwick, of 154, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. Mobilised on 4th Aug., 1914, with Midlothian Bty. 1st Lowland Bde. Royal Field Artillery.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot I. Row A. Grave 45.
Cemetery: HOP STORE CEMETERY


Name: BORTHWICK, DAVID
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 18th Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 02/05/1917
Service No: 35198
Additional information: Son of David and Alison Borthwick, of 9, Caledonian Place, Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. E. 15.
Cemetery: CHAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY, HOLNON


Cheers Adam

[mietek]

Flute - can you disasemble it, into two parts?

Markings were on the leather flute case (ww1).

[martin hall]

Flute - can you disasemble it, into two parts?

Markings were on the leather flute case (ww1).

yes dissembles into two parts all seems in good order, any idea on value best martin.

[tubist73]

Hello,

I won't comment on the plaque as others are more knowledgeable than me. I can tell you though that the musical instrument is not a flute but a military fife. These evolved from the fifes and drums popular in many armies over the last few hundred years.

The closest orchestral instrument to this would be the piccolo, or half-sized flute. Many of these are still made out of wood just like this fife.

There may be some markings somewhere, either worn away or hidden under a key. I have one similar dated 1940 which came in a leather case stamped 1915. This model can also date back to WW1 but it's hard to tell without some more information. It's very unlikely to be older than this, however, because of the metal keys - older instruments would have less keys or none at all.

Hope this helps,

Matthew

[ROBB]

Name: BORTHWICK, DAVID
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 18th Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 02/05/1917
Service No: 35198
Additional information: Son of David and Alison Borthwick, of 9, Caledonian Place, Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. E. 15.
Cemetery: CHAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY, HOLNON

Is probably your man if is a military Fife . If they came together I would list them together (on ebay) . Interesting find . Rob