Cushion : Christening 1918 Tree Planting Proxy Godfathers group
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Christening 1918 Tree Planting Proxy Godfathers group
Christopher Powell-Cotton (1918-2006) was christenend at All Saints Church, Birchington on 20 April 1918. Afterwards a tree was planted in the grounds of Quex Park. People are gathered beside a fence around the site of the tree planting. Within the fence are a smaller group of people, some holding the tree being planted. They include, on the left Major PHG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) the father, next is Sergeant Alexander Gibson of the 19th Battalion, Australian Infantry Force. His home was in Sydney. He was a patient at the Quex Park VAD hospital for 17 days in April 1918 and stood proxy for one of the Godfathers who was away on war duty. Gibson soon returned to active duty and in June 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. Next to him is James Cornford, the Head Gardener at Quex. The other soldier is Corporal William Kite from Birmingham, a British soldier in the Labour Corps. He spent three months as a patient at St Mary s, the annexe to the Quex Park VAD Hospital. He stood proxy for the other Godfather. The Godmothers were the 33 members of Kent/178, the Birchington Voluntary Aid Detachment. The invitation for the Christening included the words While the Hospital at Quex, and the Rations, make entertaining impossible, Major & Mrs Powell-Cotton will be very pleased to see Tenants and Friends, without whose presence and good wishes the Ceremony would seem incomplete. Date: 1918
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Media ID 14247595
© The Powell-Cotton Museum Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1866 2006 Alexander Australian Battalion Birchington Christopher Cotton Fence Gathered Gibson Grounds Include Infantry Major Patient Planted Planting Powell Quex Saints Sergeant Smaller Sydney Within Afterwards
Medium 18" Cushion (46x46cm)
18"x18" (46x46cm) Fibre filled cushion with a plush soft feel. Your choice of image fills the front, with a stone coloured faux suede back. Flat sewn concealed white zip.
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Estimated Product Size is 45.7cm x 45.7cm (18" x 18")
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Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) orientation to match the source image.
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a special moment in the history of Quex Park, Birchington, as a tree is planted to celebrate the christening of Christopher Powell-Cotton on 20 April 1918. The young boy was christened at All Saints Church, with a tree planting ceremony following in the grounds of Quex Park. The tree, a symbol of new life and growth, was tended to by a small group of people gathered around the fence. Amongst them, Major PHG Powell-Cotton, the proud father, stands proudly with his son. Two soldiers, Sergeant Alexander Gibson from Sydney, Australia, and Corporal William Kite from Birmingham, England, serve as proxy godfathers in the absence of the other godfathers who were away on war duty. Gibson, a patient at the Quex Park VAD hospital for 17 days in April 1918, was soon to be awarded the Military Medal for his bravery on the battlefield. Cornford, the Head Gardener at Quex, is also present, ensuring the tree is planted with care. The godmothers were the 33 members of Kent/178, the Birchington Voluntary Aid Detachment, who were unable to attend the christening due to their duties at the hospital. The invitation for the ceremony expressed the Powell-Cotton's gratitude for the support of their tenants and friends, acknowledging the importance of their presence in making the occasion complete. This poignant image serves as a reminder of the community spirit and resilience during a time of war, as people came together to celebrate the arrival of a new life.
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