Saving Gallery

WW2 greetings card, Corporal Joan Pearson

WW2 greetings card, Corporal J.D.M. Pearson, official war picture by Laura Knight, official war picture from the National Gallery. The message inside reads: When an aircraft crashed near her quarters at a Royal Air Force Station, Corporal Pearson rushed out and, although the aircraft was burning and she knew that there were bombs aboard, she stood on the wreckage, roused the severely injured pilot, who was stunned, and assisted him to get clear, releasing his parachute harness in doing so. When he was on the ground, a 120 pound bomb went off about 30 yards away. Corporal Pearson at once threw herself on the top of the pilot to protect him from the blast and splinters. Her prompt and courageous action undoubtedly helped to save the pilots life. Joan Daphne Mary Pearson (1911-2000) was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM), later to become the George Cross, for her heroism. Date: circa 1942

© The March of the Women Collection/Mary Evans Picture Library

Walter Raleigh lays his cloak at Queen Elizabeth Is feet

Sir Walter Raleigh lays his cloak at Queen Elizabeth I's feet to prevent her from getting muddy feet. The fanciful, romantic tale of the cloak and the mud puddle probably originated with historian Thomas Fuller, known for his imaginative elaborations on historical fact. Later, Sir Walter Scott kept the myth alive in his 1821 Elizabethan romance, Kenilworth. "Hark ye, Master Raleigh, see thou fail not to wear thy muddy cloak, " the queen exhorts Sir Walter, "in token of penitence, till our pleasure be further known." Sir Walter vows never to clean the cloak, and later the queen, delighted with his gallantry, invites him to visit the royal wardrobe keeper that he may be fitted for "a suit, and that of the newest cut." Date: 1581

© The Russell Butcher Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

Greatheads Lifeboat 2

In a heavy sea, Greathead's lifeboat puts out to the aid of a vessel in distress : the helmsman stands aft, the look- out in the bows, the ten oarsmen row as best they can. Date: 1791

© Mary Evans Picture Library

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