The King’s Horses

The annexe to our ward at the No. 3 London General Hospital at Wandsworth was a popular spot for letter writing. It also provided a happy meeting-place for patients away from the ward, although, by common consent, periods of conversation or discussion were strictly limited and regulated so long as there were letters to be written.

I was sitting there one morning, making up some leeway in my correspondence, when a tall, distinguished-looking, grey-haired gentleman entered, and, after a cordial greeting, said: “I wonder if you would like to come with me to the Grocers’ Company?”

I confess I was somewhat baffled. I know that the pause which followed must have been perceptible, because a fellow-patient on the other side of the table made haste to assure me that it was an excellent opportunity which I should not hesitate to accept. Whereupon I expressed my grateful acceptance and awaited details.

I learned that the function was in the nature of a special afternoon tea in lieu of the Company’s annual dinner – the normal procedure in days of peace.

It was to be a party of eight from the hospital, and we were to travel in a glass coach from the King’s stables at Buckingham Palace.

I cannot recall much personal detail concerning our sponsor, beyond the fact that his name was Hill, and that he was associated with large pastoral interests in Queensland with affiliations in London.

When the big day arrived – it was the 5th day of April, 1918 – we were delighted to note that the weather was perfect, and I am sure that our belts and boots were polished as never before.

Excitement ran high when word came through that the coach had arrived and was ready at the hospital entrance.

Our first glimpse of the coach was almost startling and somewhat awesome. Of traditional design, with glass sides and upholstered in Royal purple, it was drawn by two magnificent greys resplendent in their glittering harness and trappings.

The coachman, a striking figure in livery, approached us, and, after formal introductions, puzzled us with a request to “come and meet the horses.”

However, we were soon to learn that these horses were almost human, and seemed to understand the procedure perfectly. Each carried the name of a British Knight of the past (I think I can remember that one was Sir Humphrey Gilbert) .

When introduced, each tossed his head up and down and pawed the ground with one hoof (the right hoof, no doubt!).

After this interesting experience with the equestrian knights we were soon away on our drive through the streets of London, and, although we fully realised that this was an experience of great privilege, we also found it one of embarrassment.

Throughout the entire length of the journey every person in sight of the coach (it seemed) stopped to watch it pass – in most cases greeting it with a wave or a cheer, or both.

At every intersection all traffic was stopped by the police- man’s hand to give us a clear right-of-way.

Eventually we reached the region of the city known as “The Heart of London” – an historical area roughly triangular in shape, teeming with British history and British sentiment, having on its perimeter such famous buildings as the Mansion House, the Royal Exchange, and the Bank of England.

We drove diagonally across this great domain (I think it would be from Queen Victoria Street) to a corner of the Bank of England where Princess Street commences. It was in this street, close to the corner, that our destination – the Grocers’ Hall – was situated.

I think we felt something of a sense of relief when we arrived.

We were met at the steps of the Hall by a titled lady, who escorted us to the main hall, where we were relieved of hats (or caps), coats and canes. We were then led to a broad carpeted stair- way, at the foot of which an official announced us individually in a loud voice.

Proceeding up the stairway in single file, we were met about half-way by the Master of the Company and his wife, who greeted each of us with a handshake. A little further on, at the next break in the stairs, the Lord Mayor of London met and received us.

We then entered what appeared to be a great assembly hall, where Wardens and their wives and other officials introduced them- selves and gave us a very cordial welcome.

The Master (Sir Ernest M. Pollock, K.B.E.,K.C.,M.P.), in a speech of welcome, explained that the Grocers’ Company was of very early origin, being originally a Guild formed by wholesale “trades- people”. (He smilingly explained that it had nothing to do with tea or margarine.)

After the Master’s speech we were approached by a daughter of one of the Wardens, who led us through to the Great Banquet Hall, where elaborate preparations had been made for the main part of the function.

The scene was brilliant and exciting.

We were shown to our seats close to the head table, and were joined by the delightful young lady who, earlier, had taken us under her care.

Among the glittering array of beautiful furnishings and relics, one of the highlights was an enormous solid silver rose bowl – roughly the size of the traditional cane laundry basket. It was filled entirely with perfect blooms of red Richmond roses. It was breath- taking. This magnificent piece was a gift to the Company from the Bank of England as a token of appreciation of the Directors of the Bank for the use of the Hall by the Bank for special wartime purposes, including the issue of the very first war bonds.

A delightful musical programme accompanied the afternoon tea, and, at its conclusion, the Lord Mayor of London made an excellent speech, during which he paid gracious tribute to the services and sacrifices of overseas troops in the Great War.

Colonel (Dr.) J.W. Springthorpe, of Melbourne, responded on our behalf in happy and appropriate terms.

Accompanied by our hostess, we were then privileged to inspect old books of the Guild dating back to 1400 and some very fine gold plate, and, in order that we might better understand the origin and functions of this interesting body, we were each handed a small book- let entitled “Notes On The History Of The Grocers’ Company”.

The opening words of the booklet were taken from the earliest records and tell of a Fraternity or Fellowship :- “To the Honour of God, the Virgin Mary, St. Anthony and All Saints, the 9th day of May 1345, a Fraternity was founded of the Company of Pepperers, of Soper’s Lane, for love and unity, to maintain and keep themselves together; of which Fraternity are sundry beginners, founders and donors, to preserve the said Fraternity.”

Continuing, the notes recorded other items of interest. “The Founders were all of one trade; importers of produce from the East. The Fraternity grew into a powerful Guild and became known as “Grossers or Wholesale dealers.”

“In 1427 they purchased the mansion of Lord Fitzwalter, the Hereditary Standard Bearer of the City. On that site they built

their Hall, and, on the same site, the present Hall stands.”

The afternoon slipped by all too quickly, and, reluctantly, we realised that it was time to prepare for the homeward journey.

A farewell handshake gave us the opportunity to express to the Master and his wife our grateful thanks for a wonderful exper- ience.

The Royal Coach was drawn up at the entrance, and, as we resumed our seats, we were quite unaware that it was the hour when most of the office and shop people were leaving for home.

But we were soon to be made fully aware.

At the very commencement of our journey, as we drove out of Princes Street into the “Heart of London”, the policeman on point duty spotted us and immediately stopped all traffic in the area. In an instant the pavement edges were crowded with people, facing in- wards, waving and cheering.

This state of affairs continued throughout the entire route – first, the immediate recognition of the Royal Coach, and then the cheers and the waving.

For us there was no escape – the all-glass coach made hiding from view impossible – we just had to take it.

But then, as we drew close to our journey’s end, there came a crushing anti-climax.

We were just recovering from the excitement of the drive and the embarrassment of the waving and the cheering of the people, when, from a side-street, there came, with a flourish, a butcher’s boy on a bicycle, complete with white coat, striped apron and basket. To our amazement and chagrin he rode up to the rear of our coach, grasp- ing a convenient bracket, and immediately changing to free wheel. sitting bolt upright in an impudent posture, he allowed the stately coach to draw him along.

Fortunately, his place of employment was nearby, and before there was time for the coachman to be aware of his presence, he rode off, again with a flourish, to the sidewalk.

We were soon home again in the hospital ward. On entering, were greeted by two British Army officers, fellow-patients, who Listened with great interest to our account of the afternoon’s outing.

Then one of them said, “I wonder if you chaps appreciate the great privilege which you have just enjoyed?”

Continuing, he pointed out that such an experience was for quen (not being overseas troops) remote and most unlikely, if not impossible.

But no such reminder was necessary. ave and deeply grateful for the gracious interlude

We were fully appreciative and deeply grateful for the gracious interlude.