Silver Cigarette holder presented by Colonel Trotter, 1912, to the Sergeants Mess

 A silver cigarette holder with lidded compartments either side, one lid engraved with the badge of the South Notts Hussars, the other engraved with the details, "Non Commissioned Mess, South Notts Hussars, from Colonel C.W. Trotter 1912".  Hallmarked for London 1903, and with the maker's mark of Joseph Brahma.  This presentation was most likely made by Colonel Trotter at the time of the Non Commissioned Officers Mess opening at the new Territorial Army Headquarters, the Drill Hall on Derby Road Nottingham. 

The Drill Hall was completed in around 1910. A fine quality baroque revival style building with drill / parade ground to the rear. Officially opened by General Sir John French, February 22nd 1912. Whilst in Nottingham for the opening ceremony, General Sir John French was the guest of the newly Knighted Sir Lancelot Rolleston and his wife, Maud Rolleston at Watnall Hall. The Territorial Headquarters was now the new headquarters of the South Notts Hussars, and also the Notts Royal Horse Artillery, and the Robin Hood Rifles. The building still stands today and is thankfully a Grade 11 listed building, although the Parade Ground to the rear has been built on with new housing. 

Charles W Trotter first joined the regiment in 1888, commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant 7th January 1888, and Full Lieutenant in July 1889 in "C" Squadron. Made Captain in April 1895, he took over "D" Squadron in 1897. Rose to the rank of Major, August 1901. With changes in the senior Command of the Regiment, Major Trotter was made second in Command of the Regiment in April 1906, Captain Hill promoted and given Command of "D" Squadron. 

In 1908, the South Notts Hussars was recognised as a Territorial Force unit. Major Trotter was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel March 31st 1908 and made the new Commanding Officer, with the honorary rank of Colonel. the Regiment now officially titled, "South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry". Colonel Trotter was seconded from command May 29th 1912 after having held command for the past four years. During this period, he had carried the Regiment over on its reorganization to the Territorial Force unit. Still with the Regiment at the outbreak of the First World War Colonel Trotter T.D. applied to the War Office for the command of the unit. Involved in recruitment, training and equipping the Regiment for WW1 service, he held this command until August 1916, Colonel Smith taking over Command of the Regiment. Colonel Trotter then went on to serve in France and was made Commandant at Arras. For his services whilst holding this title, he would later be awarded the C.B. (Companion of the Order of Bath). He received his full Colonelcy on August 5th 1918. He was mentioned in dispatches twice, and received the Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1918 Birthday Honours List.