A fascinating collection of St.John family memorabilia, generously donated to The Friends of Lydiard Park by Anne Barr in 2023, a former friend of Vernon Henry St.John, 6th Viscount Bolingbroke. This hitherto unknown collection of items were found at the viscount's former home at Crow Hill in The New Forest (Hampshire) following the death of his companion and housekeeper, Miss Catherine McLean, Anne Barr's aunt, in 2000.
Many of the items relate to the viscount's time at Lydiard Park which he was compelled to leave during World War II due to overwhelming financial difficulties. These include World War I memorabilia, including regimental cap badges, the viscount's campaign medals and photographs of himself with other service men in 1917.
Family photographs, picture sale catalogues of portraits and paintings that once hung at Lydiard House (the majority now returned to Lydiard), cards, coronation tickets and a well worn riding crop whip form part of the collection, all of which will return to Lydiard House.
You can read about Anne Barr's childhood memories of visiting Vernon at Crow Hill in the Meet a Friend section of The Friends of Lydiard Park website.
