These badges and boater ribbons belonged to Gerald W E Loder, who was at Eton 1875-81. Later Conservative MP for Brighton 1889-1906, he qualified as a barrister at the Inner Temple in 1888. He was a lord commissioner of the Treasury in 1905; JP & Deputy Lt for Sussex, Vice-Chairman of Sussex TA association; Deputy Chairman of Southern Railway Co.
He was the owner of Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Sussex, now an outstation of Kew Gardens.
The 4th June has been celebrated annually at Eton since the 18th century, as the birthday of King George III. From the mid-19th century, this occasion always finished off with a parade of boats and a splendid fireworks display. These badges and ribbons would have been worn on straw boaters for this event by the various crews of the old clinker-built rowing eights. The whole collection is preserved in a rather battered Fortnum & Mason card box. The silk ribbons are all hand painted and rather frail and distressed in parts.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Ephemera : Miscellaneous : British : 19th Century]
|
![online Militaria dealer - Antique-Militaria [UK]](/images/antique-militaria.jpg)
Antique Militaria Home
Site map
Historic comments
MAGNIFY