Is this Queen Victoria's funeral procession?

[rusticalex]

Can anyone date this photograph that I have? I can do close ups if that helps!

Thanks

Alex

[fjcp]

I'm almost 100% sure it is.....

Have a look at this website royal funeralsand you can compare Victoria's and Edward the VII's...Similar but I think it's Vicki.

CHeers

JC

[Mervyn Mitton]

I agree with JC - look at the Crown on top of the coffin - looks like the small Imperial Crown she always wore.

[Scabby Rat]

Looks like Victorias Funeral, but early on in the procession as the 'osses being used to tow the gun carrige got spooked and so all the Matelots they could muster were shanghied into what has become the traditional way of transporting our monarchs to their interment. More dignified IMHO.

[Robin Lumsden]

When she was alive, Queen Victoria totally prohibited any planning or rehearsals for her funeral.

As a result, her funeral procession was a shambles, with horses bolting, etc. etc.

Edward VII's funeral was, consequently, one of the best rehearsed in British history! :cheeky:

[Stuart Bates]

This has to be Queen Victoria's funeral as note the use of the white Colonial Pattern pith helmet. This was replaced by the Wolseley over the first few years of the decade.

I have to wonder why it is being worn at all in England as it was a Foreign Service helmet and you can see the Blue Home Service helmet also being worn.

Queen Vic's funeral was held on the 2nd February 1901 and looking at the trees devoid of foliage one would have to say this is a winter photo. Edward VII's funeral was held on the 20th May 1910 so I think it reasonable to expect the trees being in bloom.

Stuart

Edited April 4, 2010 by Stuart Bates

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello:

I thought the Royal Marines wore/wear such headgear?

Bernhard H. Holst

[Stuart Bates]

Bernhard,

The Royal Marines wear today the Wolseley pattern helmet but this is the Colonial Pattern which pre-dated the Wolseley - you should buy my book

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

Bernhard,

just to clarify a little more, the Wolseley helmet superseded the Colonial pattern in the early years of the decade, say 1903 onwards, although it had been in use since, at least, 1896 but only by officers. This process took a few years as old stocks of the Colonial Pattern helmet would have been used before any new pattern was issued. This changeover was complete by around 1910.

In the photo you can clearly see spikes on the white helmets but the Royal Marines had the ball and cup furniture - see below for an example of the Royal Marine's Wolseley

Stuart

Edited April 5, 2010 by Stuart Bates

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello Stuart.

Thank you for your clarification of the different headgear worn by the Royal Marines.

Also your mention of "How can man die better" by Lt.Col. Mike Snook. I found it can be gotten via Amazon US but the price tag of $US 100 to 300 is somewhat excessive.

Bernhard H. Holst

[Stuart Bates]

Hi Bernhard,

I just searched for the book via www.bookfinder.com and found quite a few listings and the prices started from Euro 14 for softcover and Euro 27 for hardcover.

Regards,

Stuart

[leigh kitchen]

Bernhard,

just to clarify a little more, the Wolseley helmet superseded the Colonial pattern in the early years of the decade, say 1903 onwards, although it had been in use since, at least, 1896 but only by officers. This process took a few years as old stocks of the Colonial Pattern helmet would have been used before any new pattern was issued. This changeover was complete by around 1910.

In the photo you can clearly see spikes on the white helmets but the Royal Marines had the ball and cup furniture - see below for an example of the Royal Marine's Wolseley

Stuart

RMLI had spikes Stuart, RMA ball & cup, RM ball & cup after amalgamation?

[Stuart Bates]

Hi Leigh,

yes I remembered but never got round to posting - well spotted.

Do you think they are kitted out ready for embarkation to South Africa?

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

Apparently the Home Service Helmet was discontinued for the Royal Marines in 1905 in favour of the white FSH.

And the RMLI and RMA were amalgamated in 1923.

Stuart

[Mervyn Mitton]

Looking at the picture again - I am intrigued by what looks like a double line of Police - or, could they be a Rifle Regt. ? Police seems more likey, since they are unarmed - however, their officers in the front have swords reversed. If they are Police, it looks as if they are paying respects - not acting as protective line. Any thoughts ?

Also, where exactly was the photo taken ? I think it is the right corner of Buckingham Palace - the Victoria Memorial , had of course, yet to be built ?

[coldstream]

Mervyn

The only thing that makes me think that this is not the corner of Buckingham Palace is the placement of the wooden planks in the bottom left of the image. Surely this would not have been allowed within the palace grounds and I can see no evidence of a sentry box infront of the railings, perhaps it is one of the ornamental gates at the top of The Mall? Not sure when these were built (I'll have to google it)

Simon

[coldstream]

Mervyn

If you view the pathe news on this link I think we can confirm it is the funeral of Queen Victoria.

My link

Edited April 18, 2010 by coldstream

[Mervyn Mitton]

Simon - it can't be the Embankment, too many people standing on the right - there wouldn't be enough room. The roundness of the building looks as if there should be a corner? Did they take Her to Westminster Abbey or, down to St. Paul's. If St. Paul's it could be the Strand ? Perhaps Leigh has an Order of Service tucked-away ?

[coldstream]

Gentlemen,

Just realised there may be a copyright issue with the Pathe news link, my apologies if thats so!

Simon

[Stuart Bates]

I have blown up the photograph, although it pixellates very quickly, and it seems that Edward is behind the first lot of horsemen and attendants after the cortege. I think he is flanked by Kaiser Wilhelm and the Duke of Connaught. I got the latter from Simon's link to Pathe News.

Was not Nicholas II at the funeral?

Stuart

[rusticalex]

I have done some close ups to see if this helps at all with any of the discussions...here we go...

[rusticalex]

...another...

[rusticalex]

and another...

[rusticalex]

another...

[rusticalex]