Contining the Coronation theme, a look at one of the more esoteric bodies of the King's servants:
The reverse of this John Player's cigarette card states:
"H.M.'s Bargemaster and a Waterman - Although the Royal State Barge is no longer used, His Majesty's Bargemaster and a complement of twenty-four Watermen are still maintained. The present Bargemaster is J.T. ("Bossie") Phelps; the Watermen are recruited from riverside men of outstanding ability. The Regalia is not now transported from the Tower of London to the Houses of Parliament by river, but the Bargemaster and two Watermen conduct certain portions of it from St. James Palace to the Palace of Westminster at each State Opening of Parliament. The Bargemaster and twelve selected Watermen will be included at the head of the King's Coronation Procession to Westminster Abbey"
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| The original State Barge's last outing at Henley, 1912 |
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