The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 9 From Lynda Sebbage, Club Honorary Chaplain I �irst met His Royal Highness way back in the 1970s, when I attended Buckingham Palace to receive my gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It was a very special occasion, and I was overawed by the whole event, thankful that I had my father with me to help keep me calm! I met the Duke again in November 2007, in the Queen’s Guard Chamber at Windsor Castle, for a champagne reception organised by The 1805 Club and the Trafalgar Way Trust to deliver the New Trafalgar Dispatch, which was later presented to the Duke. Yet another very special occasion, and I decided to wear my Gold Award, thinking that the Duke may - just may - notice it if I had the privilege of meeting him that evening. And then, from across the room, I saw his eye alight on my brooch, and he headed over to me, skirting round folk who wanted to talk to him. What should I say? How should I address him? All these thoughts went through my mind, but needless to say, there was no need to worry. He was just like anyone else – a man of the people, relaxed and so easy to talk to. He had come over to see me especially to say how pleased he was that I was wearing my Award that night! I reminded him of the occasion when he had presented it to me, which of course I knew he would not remember, but more importantly, I wanted to tell him what a difference this award had made to my life. (Photo: George Bodnar) From Genevieve St George Though the Duke was in the Royal Navy, and fought in WW2, he had to become a British Citizen to marry The Princess Elizabeth. He became Lt Philip Mountbatten. Before the Wedding King George VI made him Baron Greenwich. As Baron Greenwich he has planted an Oak near the Oak planted by Elizabeth I. In 1948 he studied at The Naval College, Greenwich and was made HRH Prince Philip in 1957. The Duke was both a Trustee of The NMM and remained its Patron till his death. The NMM opened a new building offsite but still part of The RBG in 2017 to carry out conservation and archives for The Royal Museum Greenwich, named ‘The Prince Philip Maritime Conservation Centre.’ Though the Duke did not open The Centre he made a private visit in November 2017 and was well pleased with all he saw. He had spent a lifetime saving Maritime History: whereas we had only HMSVictoryin the 1950’s we now have several around the Country includingMaryRose,HMSPresident and HMSBelfast. I was invited to visit the Centre in 2017. It is amazing what can be achieved there now. Saving ships began in the 195O’s as the Duke was awareof CuttySark, a training ship at Greenhithe that was to be scrapped and he led to her being saved. He welcomed her to Greenwich in 1954 for the conservation needed and also when she opened to the public in 1957. He headed The Cutty Sark Society. CuttySarkis loved by all to this day and part of The RMG. There was a service on board on Friday April 16 2021 attended by The Mayor, The Director of RBG, Deputy Lord Lieutenant and local dignitaries. The Duke only became Lord High Admiral when HM the Queen relinquished what was her title, to him, to markhis90th birthday, in 2011. When Greenwich became a Royal Borough in 2012 the Duke was given The Freedom of The Royal Borough of Greenwich. Years later in 2013 he renamed the hull of an older clipper, on a barge moored near CuttySark ‘City of Adelaide‘ before she was shipped to Port Adelaide, arriving in 2014 for restoration. She had carried settlers to Australia and brought wool home to England and in RN for 20 years. I last saw the Duke at an Anzac Day Service in The Gallipoli Chapel at Holy Trinity, Eltham in RBG. The Vicar Rev Hall had volunteered as a Padre and landed with the Troops on the Beaches on April 25th 1915. He was so moved he created the Chapel dedicated in 1917. I had great uncles at Gallipoli and at The Western Front. One is buried near Ypres. I regularly attend Anzac Day. It was a privilege to be invited to The ORNC Chapel Service for Baron Greenwich on April 16 2021 which was very poignant and �itting. The Duke was ‘A Man for All Seasons’ who has made life better for many in The Royal Borough of Greenwich, the UK ,the Commonwealth and the World. May he Rest in Peace.
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