Thursday 19th July 1923
Ex-Servicemen Among Those Who Met The Prince Of Wales On The Lawn At Maiden Bradley House
His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales made Longleat his headquarters for a tour of part of the Duchy of Cornwall during July 1923. On the second day of his stay, Thursday 19th, his first port of call was Maiden Bradley House, the seat of the Duke Of Somerset. It was soon after 9.00 a.m. when The Prince, accompanied by Lord Bath, left Longleat for a visit to Maiden Bradley House. A large assembly of people had gathered in the grounds at Maiden Bradley which were described as “picturesque” and “in the midst of scenery made vivid with the combination of the richly clothed trees and gardens of flowers.” The Prince was welcomed by the Duke and Duchess of Somerset. Others present on the lawn at Maiden Bradley House were Captain Hamilton Bate, Mr. & Mrs. P. Hankey, and Mrs Barton.
Nearby were stood a contingent of ex-servicemen who were wearing their medals and ribbons. The Prince chatted with Captain W.L. Barton who was in charge of the men. The Prince enquired whether there was a branch of the British Legion in Maiden Bradley. Captain Barton explained that there was a post in the village and that it was associated with the Mere Branch of the British Legion. (The Prince was due to visit the Mere Branch on the following Friday). The Prince then shook hands with Lieut. Gifford, M.C., and inspected the guard of honour, before chatting with some of the men. He shook hands with Mr. John Dilworth and was pleased to hear that Mr. Dilworth had served with the Scots Guards. A special decoration worn by Mr. Dulake, the Headkeeper of the Maiden Bradley Estate, caught the attention of the Prince.
His Royal Highness then inspected the Scouts who were under the supervision of the Scoutmaster Mr. J. Wilkins and the Assistant Scoutmaster C. Seal. The scouts were described as “looking particularly smart in their radiant coloured clothes with bright yellow scarves.”
On the other side of the lawn were the village school-children, the Headmaster and school staff. In the background stood just about every inhabitant of Maiden Bradley, all keen to get a glimpse of the Royal visitor. As the Prince left the grounds the children gave three hearty cheers, with the adults joining in. The Duchess Of Somerset then placed a gramophone on the lawn and played the address that the King and Queen had made on Empire Day.
The Prince Of Wales, after leaving Maiden Bradley, travelled to Wincanton. A police motorcycle escort, namely Sergeant Hillier and P.C. Drew cleared the road in front of the car. Superintendent Barrett followed behind as far as the Somerset border. Children lined the roadside near Stourton and cheered as the Royal car sped quickly by.
Postcard depicting ex-servicemen on the lawn at Maiden Bradley House, on the occasion of the visit by the Prince of Wales, Thursday 19th July 1923.