Accession Number

2023.003.020

Alternate Name

duty order; pass

Description

One paper military document titled: “Duty Order”. The paper is brown and thin. It is folded twice to make four sections. There is a combination of pre-printed text and handwriting, and also inked stamp impressions. It reads as follows: “DUTY ORDER The Bearer Captain Sumner, R.N. belonging to British Admiralty has permission to enter the BELGIAN ZONE on duty.” The document is dated 12 September, 1918 and signed by the Commodore at Dunkirk and two others.

Narrative

Captain Berkeley Holme Sumner was married to Margaret Joan Harvey, granddaughter of Robert and Joan Olive Dunsmuir. Commander Berkeley Holme-Sumner, OBE served as a divisional naval transport officer in the Royal Naval Transport Service during The Great War and was based in Rouen, France.

History of Use

This document was used by Captain Berkeley Holme-Sumner in Britain, France, and Belgium. It was next used by his wife, Margaret Joan Harvey, then by her daughter, Georgiana Holme-Sumner, and then by Georgiana Holme-Sumner’s son, who used it in Scotland until 2023 when he donated it to Craigdarroch Castle.

Date

September 12 1918

Dimensions

18.7 x 22.7 cm

Material

Paper

Inscription

Captain Sumner. R.N. 
British Admiralty
12th Sept.
and three indistinct signatures

Country of Origin

Republic of France