Major Cuthbert John Eccles 16th Lancers jacket, name label to inside with number 4074 and date 3.8.14, with belt together with a pair of trousers bearing name label E. B Eccles.

Major Cuthbert John Eccles (born 2nd February 1870 in Southampton, died 10^th January 1922) Son of Major General Cuthbert Eccles.John Eccles joined the 16th Lancers as a ranker and serving for 4 years enlisted in the ranks 10 July 1890. He became Second Lieutenant 16th Lancers 1st August 1894, Lieutenant 4th November 1896, and Captain 9th November 1899.

Eccles was also part of the 16th Lancer escort at the Wedding of King Alphonso XIII of Spain (Colonel of the 16th Lancers) The day of the wedding (31st May 1906) a bomb was thrown out of a third floor window, as the procession was passing. For services to the King John Eccles was awarded the Spanish Order of Merit and other members of the escort were also decorated. This uniform would have been worn on that day of the 31^st May 1906.

John Eccles served in South Africa (1900-1902) and was present at the Advance on Kimberley and the Relief of Kimberley. He took part in operations in the Orange Free State from February to May 1900, including the action at Paardeberg 17th – 26th February as well as actions at Poplar Grove, Houtnet (Thoba Mountain) and Zand River. Eccles was involved in operations in Transvaal in May and June 1900, including action near Johannesburg. Outside of Africa John Eccles was in action at Belfast 26th/27th August 1900.

Promoted Major on the 9th June 1909. Major John Eccles served in Great War 1914 – 1917, acting as temporary Lieutenant Colonel 16th Lancers on the 24th September to 10th November 1914. Lieutenant Colonel 19th December 1914. Twice wounded and twice MID.

Lieutenant Colonel Eccles was awarded The DSO, QSA ( 4 clasps) KSA, 1914 Star, War & Victory Medals, Spanish Order of Merit, Mention in Dispatches. The DSO was awarded for services in the Field during the First World War and gazetted 18 February 1915. John Eccles retired from Army 19th December 1919.

MIC shows to France 17th August 1914. As Major. Entitled to 14 Star with Clasp and Roses. War and Victory Medals. Address on Medal card shows 4/55 Drayton Gardens SW 16 & Cowley House, Headington Hill, Oxford. Died aged 51, 10^th January 1922. Buried Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford. Interred 14 January 1922. Probate to brother Ernest Edward Eccles (Engineer) of £582.

Electoral Register of 1921 shows both brothers at the same address 4/55 Drayton Gardens, Radcliffe War0d. Ernest born 1874 at Woolwich. Their Father was born in Dublin.