Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

‘Nelsonian’ interest: a copper shield, 20 x 16cm. (approx.), displaying a British 1st Class warship, with a bust of Nelson below, inscribed in raised letters, ‘England expects that every man will do his duty’; ‘Admiral Lord Nelson, Oct. 21st. 1905’; ‘Made of copper from H.M.S. Victory & Foudroyant, Presented by Lord Strathcona & Mountroyal, G.C.M.G., through British & Foreign Sailors Society for Canadian Schools, 1907, E.R.VII.’, pierced top and bottom for attachment, very fine £200-250

In 1905 the British & Foreign Sailors’s Society was instrumental in setting up a series of events for the ‘Nelson Centennial’. A fund known as the ‘Nelson Centenary Memorial Fund’ was set up and the King, who took great interest in the Society, permitted his cypher to be placed on the medals, badges and and shields sold through the Fund. Souvenir medals and badges were available to subscribers to the fund. Provision was also made for a ‘Victory Shield’ to be made availabe for schools to award annually for achievement.