Material: Gilt brass, convex with fixed shank
Size: 25 mm
Description: This uniform artifact is a large-size officer's tunic button belonging to the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), a distinguished line infantry regiment of the British Army. Struck in a heavy brass alloy with a rich fire-gilt finish, the convex face features the detailed Prince of Wales's plumes—three stylized ostrich feathers emerging from a royal coronet—nested above a flowing heraldic banner ribbon that reads "ICH DIEN" (meaning "I Serve"). Directly framing the feathers is an open, symmetrical wreath of traditional laurel leaves, all mounted beautifully over a bottom horizontal title scroll bearing the regimental name, "ALBHERA". The reverse side is completed by a solid, brazed metal shank loop and stamped with the rare outfitter backmark of "M. Abrahams, 27 Hanbury St, London E1".
Circa: 1880-1950
Notes:
The specific graphic configuration on this button tells a deeply proud story of battle endurance, as the battle honor "ALBHERA" honors the regiment's legendary stand at the Battle of Albuera in 1811 during the Peninsular War, where their commanding colonel famously rallied the troops with the cry "Die hard, my men, die hard!", earning them their immortal nickname as "The Die Hards".
Hanbury Street, a historic road situated right in the heart of London's East End Spitalfields clothing district. M. Abrahams was an active military outfitter and tailor operating out of this specific East London enclave during the Second World War era, supplying specialized batches of uniform hardware directly to officers.