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

The Daily Sketch photograph of Vernon Henry St.John (1896-1974) being presented with a silver rose bowl on the occasion of his 21st birthday on March 15th 1917. The presentation was made by by representatives of the St, John family's tenants, on the steps of Lydiard House.

Mr George Price, the oldest tenant on the Bolingbroke estate, was chosen to hand the rose bowl to the young viscount. He was reported as giving hearty congratulations, saying " I hope and trust you will live long to be Lord Lydiard Tregoze and that you may always enjoy good health and happiness". Vernon was apparently taken by surprise to receive such a magnificent gift. He was quoted as saying that he was touched by the good feeling existing between the family and the tenantry and that as far as he was concerned those happy relations would never be severed.

This copy of the photograph has been annotated with the names of those pictured:

Mr. Hiscock (Teddy Hiscocks, estate Steward, retreating through door)

Mr. O. Hale (Committee Treasurer & Hon. Secretary, Owen Hale, in front of door)

Mr. Rebbeck (Committee Member) William Rebbeck beside door)

Mr. H. White (Committee Chairman, Hervey White, next to Mr Price)

Mr. E Woolford (Elliot Woolford standing behind Lord Bolingbroke)

Mr. Price (Committee Member George Price presenting the rose bowl)

Lord Bolingbroke (Vernon St.John, 6th Viscount Bolingbroke)

Sadly the estate could not weather the financial decline that had already taken hold of the St.John family and coupled with the dire economic situation it was broken up in a series of sales in 1920, 1930 and and 1943 when it was finally disbanded