Wreath Gallery

Eric Liddell celebrating his Olympic win at Edinburgh Univer

Eric Liddell, the 400m gold medallist at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, crowned and chaired at Edinburgh University where he had studied science. Wearing a wreath of olive leaves, he is carried by fellow graduates on a chair to St. Giles Cathedral where the graduation service was held. Answering the demand for a speech, Mr Liddell said, Over the entrance to the University of Pennsylvania there are these words: In the dust of defeat as well as in the laurel of victory there is glory to be found if one has done his best.'" Eric Liddell (1902 - 1945), was a Scottish athlete, rugby union international and missionary, Olympic gold medal winner in the 400m at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games and subject of the Oscar-winning 1981 film, Chariots of Fire. Date: 1924

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Christmas Eve - about 1460 by Pauline Baynes

Christmas Eve, as celebrated in 1460 with children bringing in holly and the Yule Log to be lit on Christmas Day, and other joining in a last minute carol practice, while the lord of the manor sends his seasonable gifts of cheer and goodwill to the poor tenants. A holly wreath hangs from the weathercock and inside, a kissing bough is being fixed in place, the table linen, pewter and gold plate is arranged in readiness for the next day and one of the ladies carries a Twelfth Night cake which will be cut to mark the end of the Christmas celebrations

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10435125

Victoria Cross - Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson

Victoria Cross posthumously awarded to John Travers Cornwell (1900-1916) - for his gallantry at the Battle of Jutland. Cornwell was a Boy Seaman First Class on H.M.S Chester. H.M.S Chester was on the front lines at the Battle of Jutland and came under fire from four Kaiserliche Marine cruisers. John was the sole survivor of all the gun turret positions and remained at his position, though severely wounded, until the battle ended. He died in hospital of his wounds and was awarded a Victoria Cross after his death in honour of his bravery and determination. Cornwell is the third-youngest recipient of the VC. The epitaph on his gravestone reads: "It is not wealth or ancestry but honourable conduct and a noble disposition that maketh men great." Date: 1916

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection