The Preston-Morley Buckinghamshire Collection: Commemorative Medals

THE PRESTON-MORLEY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COLLECTION, Eton College, bronze award medals for Rowing (2), type 4, unsigned [by Birmingham Medal Co], similar but with further detail design differences, named (C.R. Le Blanc Smith, Trial Eights, Eton 1907; C.R. Le Blanc Smith, House Fours, Eton 1909), both 39mm (D & W 195); together with a shield-shaped bronze plaque from the inside of a medal case, engraved with the names of Le Blanc Smith’s 1909 Trial Eights crew [3]. All extremely fine; the 1907 medal in original dark blue fitted case (£70-90)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Preston-Morley Buckinghamshire Collection: Commemorative Medals.

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Collection

Provenance:
Christie’s Auction, 13 July 1988, lot 164 (part);
bt C. Eimer July 1988.

Lt Charles Ralph Le Blanc Smith (†November 1915), 12st 2lb, at Eton 1903-9. He placed third in the final of Novice Pulling, 20 July 1905, and was a lower boat choice in 1906. In the Trial Eights over the Datchet course, 7 March 1907, he rowed for the Light Blues, placing second (medal), and was awarded a place in the second Eight. He was part of Mr Marten’s winning team in the House Fours, 29 July 1907, and was an upper boat choice for the following year. In 1908 the Light Blues won the Trial Eights on 7 March (medal missing) and Le Blanc Smith rowed for Eton in the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley, losing the final to Christ Church, Oxford, on 3 July 1908. On 19 May 1909, teamed with E.E.F. Loyd, he won the final of the School Pulling in 17 mins 59 secs, a record time which remained unbeaten until 1931. At Henley he rowed for Eton in the Ladies’ Plate, although his crew were beaten by St John’s College, Oxford. In the House Fours as part of Mr Marten’s team, they placed second (medal). Le Blanc Smith rowed for Cambridge in the University Boat Races of 1910, 1911 and 1912; he was president of Cambridge University Boat Club, 1912-13 and won the Magdalene Pairs, 1913. On the outbreak of war Le Blanc Smith joined the RNVR as a Petty Officer, then transferred to 8th Bn, Rifle Brigade. He was killed in action on 27 November 1915 and is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders. Further details are sold with the lot