Chief Gallery

Coastguards and civilians of Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey

Commemorative postcard, Heroes All! Five brave coastguards and two civilians of Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, who rescued 20 members of the 2nd Walworth Boy Scouts Troop who got into difficulties when their training vessel, a 32 foot ex-naval cutter, was hit by a sudden squall and capsized. Sadly, nine Sea Scouts died. There were 23 Sea Scouts, the Scout Master and five helpers on board. The tragedy was widely reported in newspapers at the time. A Memorial was erected in 1914 in Nunhead Cemetery.
4 August 1912

© Mary Evans / The Scout Association

Admiral Philip Louis Vian

A portrait of Admiral Philip Louis Vian, Commander-in-Chief, Royal Navy Home Fleet. Born in 1864, Vian had served on several Royal Navy ships during World War I, and served with distinction throughout World War II. Continuing his naval career following the war, he was ultimately made Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet and promoted to Admiral of the Fleet. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1952 and died in 1968. Date: 1951

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Lord Howard de Walden in libel suit

Lord Howard de Walden (Thomas Evelyn Scott-Ellis, 8th Baron Howard de Walden, 4th Baron Seaford, 1880-1946) in the witness box, giving evidence in the Lord Chief Justice's Court regarding his libel suit against Mr John Lewis of Oxford Street. De Walden was the ground landlord of the John Lewis store, and the dispute was over his refusal to grant a lease to extend the store, as a result of which Lewis put up some mildly defamatory posters. De Walden was eventually granted a farthing in damages

© Mary Evans Picture Library