We are often asked, "What item do you think is undervalued in the current market?" If I were to hazard a guess, I’d suggest binoculars.

For less than a hundred pounds, you can buy a lovely set of 100+ year-old binoculars, named, dated, and with traceable provenance. Take these binoculars, for instance, which are on offer for only £95:

Royal Field Artillery Prismatic Binocular MKI, No. 22213 by J.B. Brooks & Co. Sold-out-of-service marked. Both the case and binoculars are named to Leslie Reid, Royal Field Artillery. Previous owner: Jas S. Butchard. Case dated 1916. Binoculars dated 1917.

Born on June 2, 1898, in Cloncurry, Queensland, Leslie Elliott Reid was the son of Samuel Gamble Reid and Rosina Anne (née Ferguson). He attended Geelong College, enrolling in 1909 and graduating in 1916. A well-rounded and accomplished student, Leslie excelled in athletics and leadership. He was a member of the 1st Football XVIII and 1st Cricket XI in 1915–16, competed with the Athletics team in 1914, and captained it in 1916. He also rowed with the 1st Rowing VIII in 1916. In his final year, he won the prestigious Geelong College Cup and was appointed a School Prefect.

During the Great War, Leslie enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) as a Gunner (No. 1182, later 785250). Following nearly 4 years of active service, Leslie was recommended for a commission and attended Sandhurst around May 1918.

In a letter published in Pegasus, he described his experiences in training for a commission:

"I thought I would drop you a few lines to wish the College the best of luck for 1918. You will see by the above that I am in a Cadet School, and with any luck should have my commission by March ... We are examined in all sorts of things, eg Morse code, semaphore, horse management, gun drill, and many others, but the principal things are one's behaviour and confidence for word of command, etc. It is a most important thing over here to have had a Public School education, so you will be able to tell any of the other boys who intend coming over here to train for commissions in the Imperial Forces ... We received The Pegasus after a long wait, I thought they must have gone down. I was sorry to hear that Edgar Philip had been killed, he was a fine chap ... Have been in London during five or six air raids. I think the old Hun is beginning to realise that it is a pretty costly game, as two or three Gothas seem to come to grief in each visit they pay us."

Leslie received his commission on June 9, 1918. A year later, in a letter to the Headmaster published in Pegasus (May 1919), he reflected on his service and the closing days of the war:

"You will note that I am still out in this cold, dreary country, but am expecting to be sent for demobilisation at any minute now. I am lucky in not having to do a year's 'Army of Occupation' on the Rhine, as most others in the BEF will have to do, as I come under the Repatriation order. I am at present billeted at Tinbot, a small village about 20 kilos from Liege, and am having quite an enjoyable time, as there is very little to do. We have lost most of our horses, and I cannot say that I am in the very least sorry to bid them farewell, as each man had about ten horses to look after. ... The Belgians gave us a great welcome, especially at Lille and Brussels, where the English and Canadian troops were reviewed."

In the Second World War, Leslie continued his service to his country, joining the 2nd AIF with the 2nd Division Australian Army Service Corps. His military career spanned both global conflicts, reflecting his dedication and resilience.

Antique Publications For Sale

Articles

Have An Issue?