Testimonials on behalf of Lt R. M. S. Barton from his two commanding officers in 6th Gurkha Rifles, Lt.-Col. F. F. Badcock (with note) and Brig.-Gen. F. G. Lucas, and from Lt.-Col. C. L. Peart, giving details of his service in Mesopotamia, 1915-1918.

All texts clear and complete. All four items in fair condition on lightly-aged paper, with occasional light wear along folds. ITEM ONE: Autograph testimonial by 'F. G. Lucas | Brigr. General | late Comdr. 42nd. Infy. Brigade M.E.F.' Dated 26 April 1919. 12mo, 1 p. He always found Barton 'active, intelligent and hard working, and he did noticeably well while on an independent appointment'. ITEMS TWO AND THREE. Autograph testimonial by 'Badcock Lt Col. | 2/6th. G. R.' 12mo, 1 p. Undated. Describes Barton as 'an excellent officer' who 'picked up his work quickly & got on well with the men in the battn. which I consider the first thing an officer should do'. Considers Barton 'an excellent chap to get on with'. With covering Autograph Note Signed by Badcock, 29 April 1919, 'Abbottabad. N.W.F.P.' 12mo, 1 p. He is 'v. glad' to give him a 'chit', 'as in Mesopotamia you did so excellently in every way'. ITEM FOUR. Autograph account of Barton's Mesopotamian career by 'C. L. Peart. Lt. Col. | Asst. Adjt. and Quarter Master General 15th. Division M.E.F.' April, 1919. Folio, 1 p. Thirty-one lines. Begins 'Captain R. M. S. Barton 6th Gurkha Rifles was placed in charge of the newly opened rail and river depot at DHIBBAN on the railway first reaching the Euphrates from Baghdad in February 1918 and continued in charge as Administrative Commandant until July 1918.' After describing the great extent of the camp points out that Barton 'held charge at a particularly important and strenuous time viz while the 15th Division under Major Gen. Sir. H. Brooking was advancing against KHAN BAGHDADI - an operation which resulted in the capture of 5000 Turks'. Praises his 'ability, untiring energy and great tact [...] He is an officer that should do well and go a long way if given an opportunity'. For more information about Badcock, Lucas and Peart, see their entries in Who Was Who and obituaries in The Times. The recipient of the testimonials was Major Reginald Maurice Searle Barton (b. 1892, fl. 1955). A catalogue entry for the auction of eleven of his military decorations gives the following account of his career: 'Major R. Maurice Searle Barton, T.D., born in Frampton, Gloucestershire 4.8.1892; Second Lieutenant Indian Army Reserve of Officers, 18.12.1914; attached 1st Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles, 9.9.1915; Lieutenant 18.12.1915; served in Egypt and Mesopotamia during the Great War; commanded “C” Company 2nd Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles at Ramadi, September 1917; Captain 18.12.1918; served with 1st Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles, 1918-1919; attached 2nd Battalion 11th Gurkha Rifles 1920; retired 20.11.1922; Assistant Commandant, Mewar Bhil Corps and Assistant Political Superintendent, Hilly Tracts, Mewar, 6.7.1926; re-engaged as Staff Captain Royal Artillery (T.A.) for the Second War, 16.6.1939; posted to Mountain Artillery Training Centre, Amballa, India; retired Honorary Major, 2.11.1947'.