Clinometer case, Major (later Field Marshal Lord) Roberts VC, 1865 (c)

Brown leather case for brass clinometer, made by Baker, 244 High Holborn, London, 1865 (c). Stitched in white and lined with red velvet. On the case side, printed in ink, 'Major F Roberts V.C. RA'.

Clinometers are scientific instruments used for measuring the angle or elevation of slopes.

Frederick Sleigh Roberts (1832-1914) was commissioned into the Bengal Artillery in 1851. Roberts transferred to the regular British Army in 1861. His subsequent career was spent almost entirely as a Staff officer but he still saw a good deal of active service. Roberts was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and participated in the Ambela (Umbeyla) Expedition in 1863 and Abysinnia in 1868. He first came to public notice when he led his troops on the legendary 480 km march from Kabul to Kandahar, during the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880).