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Memorial window of J.H. Speke, 1969-08-31

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/RCMS 22/30/4/3

Scope and Contents

90 x 90 mm. Consisting of a massive black marble sarcophagus, with a cross of bronze inlaid in the top and a band of bronze with the inscription: 'Sacred to the memory of John Hanning second son of William and Georgina Speke who dies September 15th 1864 aged 37 years'. Behind it an arch has been recessed in the church wall in the centre of which is a trophy in relief consisting of a gun, a sword and a sextant and the motto: 'A nilo praeclarus.' At the top of the monument is a bust of the explorer surrounded by a wreath, and on the frame of the arch appear the crocodile and hippopotamus which were added to the Speke arms in honour of the explorer, and also two ibises. Nearby stands a tattered Union Jack which flew at Jinja, by the Ripon Falls where Speke saw the Nile emerging from the Victoria Nyanza, until the independence of Uganda in October 1962. A year later, at a special ceremony, it was handed to Dowlish Wake church by the High Commissioner for Uganda.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969-08-31

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Extent

1 photographic print(s) (1 photograph)

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Good condition.

General

WS.

Originator(s)

Simpson, Donald Herbert, 1920-2002, Librarian of the Royal Commonwealth Society

Finding aid date

2004-07-08 15:29:10+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom