The Lydiard Archives

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Photograph of popular head Mrs Coleman & pupils of Hook School, 1958/9. Interviewed by Lord Bolingbroke for the job, she was at the school for 20 years. Search Hook School.

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Lord Bolingbroke's coming of age celebration, March 1917

On March 15th 1917, Vernon Henry St.John (1896-1974), turned 21 years, becoming the 7th Viscount St.John and 6th Viscount Bolingbroke. This collection, drawn together to mark the anniversary of his death 50 years ago, recalls that memorable Spring day when representatives of the tenantry presented the young viscount with a magnificent silver rose bowl on the steps of Lydiard House.

A reporter from The Daily Sketch wrote: 'The hope having been expressed in the speeches at the presentation today that whether in music, parliament or diplomacy, the young viscount would carry on the noble traditions of his family, I asked Lord Bolingbroke what were his ambitions. " I am passionately fond of music" he replied, his hazel eyes brightening in his pale ascetic face. " It is all I live for".' The fact that Vernon St.John received his army calling up papers on the eve of his birthday made his response all the more poignant. The battlefields of Passchendaele and the Somme awaited him.

Discover photographs, newspaper articles and diary entries that recall this memorable day and highlight the close associations between Lydiard's landed gentry, the local rural community and Swindon commerce. This collection is generously sponsored by Deacon and Son (Swindon) Ltd.

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Lord Bolingbroke's coming of age celebration, March 1917

Featured Items

Silver Rose Bowl  1917
Silver Rose Bowl 1917

A silver rose bowl presented to Vernon Henry St.Jo...

Photographs (2) of Vernon St. John's coming of age presentation, 1917
Photographs (2) of Vernon St. John's coming of age presentation, 1917

The Daily Sketch photograph of Vernon Henry St.Joh...

Presentation volume to Viscount Bolingbroke, 1917
Presentation volume to Viscount Bolingbroke, 1917

This leather bound volume accompanied a magnificen...

Photograph of Mildred Deacon as a young woman, c1890
Photograph of Mildred Deacon as a young woman, c1890

A remarkable woman Mildred Deacon (nee Pakeman) to...

Photograph of guests attending 6th Viscount Bolingbroke's Coming of Age celebrations, March 1917
Photograph of guests attending 6th Viscount Bolingbroke's Coming of Age celebrations, March 1917

A recently discovered photograph recording Vernon...

Extracts from 1917 Diary of Elliot Woolford re. purchase of silver rose bowl
Extracts from 1917 Diary of Elliot Woolford re. purchase of silver rose bowl

Elliot Woolford of Hook Farm Lydiard Tregoze was o...

Newspaper cutting - Viscount Called up on his 21st Birthday
Newspaper cutting - Viscount Called up on his 21st Birthday

News cutting from British tabloid The Daily Sketch...

Photograph of Lance Corporal Vernon St.John, 6th Vsct Bolingbroke, 1918
Photograph of Lance Corporal Vernon St.John, 6th Vsct Bolingbroke, 1918

Studio portrait of Vernon Henry St.John, 6th Visco...

Photographs (4) of Lyle Bowles cleaning rose bowl at Deacon & Sons Ltd, Swindon, 2024
Photographs (4) of Lyle Bowles cleaning rose bowl at Deacon & Sons Ltd, Swindon, 2024

In February 2024 a silver rose bowl that had been...

Photographs (5) of rose bowl presentation, Lydiard House, 2024
Photographs (5) of rose bowl presentation, Lydiard House, 2024

Photographs taken at a Friends of Lydiard Park pre...

This collection is sponsored by Deacon & Son (Swindon) Ltd

I am delighted that Deacons as Swindon’s oldest Retail business is able to lend its support to Lydiard Park and its role in the history and story of Swindon.

Richard Deacon, Managing Director


Situated in the heart of Swindon Town, Deacons has stood proudly as a high street landmark for over 175 years. It was founded as a jewellers, watch & clock makers by George Deacon in 1848 and remains a family run business now in its sixth generation and an official Rolex retailer in the region. The company’s expanded and refurbished workshops were opened by Her Majesty Queen Camilla in January 2024, celebrating Deacon’s historic anniversary and demonstrating their continued commitment to craftmanship and quality service.

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