J. H. Steward 'Battalion' Marching Compass c.1898 SOE Mk III to Mk VII

Mk III to Mk VII

Parts I and II have an accompanying map section

Charles Essex is known to have been in business as an optician in Clerkenwell

The Basic Handbooks were being continuously amended and updated until the end of the war

J. H. Steward 'Battalion' Marching Compass c.1898 SOE Mk III to Mk VIIAn exceptionally rare J. H. Steward 'Battalion' Night Marching Compass, dating from c. 1898. A unique and very distinctive design, the Battalion Compass was originally made by J. H. Steward at the request of Captain Cecil Wilson, the Adjutant of the 3rd battalion King's Royal Rifles. After Captain Wilson had tested the compass in the field, he provided the following testimonial for the 1899 Steward catalogue: 'I have much pleasure in expressing my