FDA-A.293-2013
Parts
Object number
FDA-A.293-2013
Object type
Identification
Title
Memorial Plaque to Lawrence Oates
Description
Bronze plaque with bas-relief portrait and lettering.
Comments
This bronze memorial plaque was unveiled in School Library on 23 May 1914 by Prince Alexander of Teck, later Major General Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone (1874-1957). The Eton College Chronicle reported on the event:
‘THE UNVEILING OF THE OATES MEMORIA.L.
ON the afternoon of May 23 this ceremony was performed by the Governor-General Designate of Canada, to pay honour to a fellow Etonian who had deserved well of his School. The Memorial, erected by subscriptions of Old Etonians, consists of a bronze portrait medallion, 3 ft. by 1 ft. 8 in., executed by Lady Scott, who has produced a striking presentment of a strong character… As for the site selected—a stone panel in the Library Cloister of the Memorial Buildings—nothing could be better for preserving the memory of a noble life and death, for the bronze will be passed daily by boys going to and from the School Library… Prince Alexander of Teck arrived at 3 o'clock at the "Royal Entrance" of the Memorial Buildings, where he was received by the Provost, the Vice-Provost, the Head Master, the Lower Master, Mr. Broadbent, and his Eton Tutor, Mr. E. C. Austen Leigh…After the ceremony Bryan Gates (O.E.), the younger brother, was " presented," and as His Highness left the Memorial Buildings by the Cloister Gate the Captain of the Boats, I. P. E. Napier, called for three cheers for Prince Alexander, which were given with great heartiness by the
mass of boys gathered outside.’
[Source: Eton College Chronicle, 28 MAY 1914, No. 1484, p.569-70]
‘THE UNVEILING OF THE OATES MEMORIA.L.
ON the afternoon of May 23 this ceremony was performed by the Governor-General Designate of Canada, to pay honour to a fellow Etonian who had deserved well of his School. The Memorial, erected by subscriptions of Old Etonians, consists of a bronze portrait medallion, 3 ft. by 1 ft. 8 in., executed by Lady Scott, who has produced a striking presentment of a strong character… As for the site selected—a stone panel in the Library Cloister of the Memorial Buildings—nothing could be better for preserving the memory of a noble life and death, for the bronze will be passed daily by boys going to and from the School Library… Prince Alexander of Teck arrived at 3 o'clock at the "Royal Entrance" of the Memorial Buildings, where he was received by the Provost, the Vice-Provost, the Head Master, the Lower Master, Mr. Broadbent, and his Eton Tutor, Mr. E. C. Austen Leigh…After the ceremony Bryan Gates (O.E.), the younger brother, was " presented," and as His Highness left the Memorial Buildings by the Cloister Gate the Captain of the Boats, I. P. E. Napier, called for three cheers for Prince Alexander, which were given with great heartiness by the
mass of boys gathered outside.’
[Source: Eton College Chronicle, 28 MAY 1914, No. 1484, p.569-70]
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 980mm
width (actual size): 490mm
width (actual size): 490mm
Inscription
Lettering on lower part of plaque: 'LAWRENCE EDWARD GRACE OATES / CAPTAIN INNISKILLING DRAGOONS / A VERY GALLANT GENTLEMAN / WILLINGLY WENT TO HIS DEATH / IN THE ANTARCTIC MARCH 17, 1912 / TRYING TO SAVE HIS COMRADES.'
Material
bronze
Physical description
Profile portrait
Production
Person
Date
1912-13
History and association
References
• Eton College Chronicle (No.1484, 28 May 1914)
