OM research leads to medal

The world’s oldest auction house, Spink & Son’s of Southampton Row, London, opened up a competition for Marlborough’s pupils of History of Art at the end of the Lent term. As a specialist auction house dealing principally with militaria, numismatics, and medals, Spink’s asked pupils to write entries for a sales catalogue concerning medals awarded to Old Marlburians, including several recipients of the Victoria Cross.

The winning submission, from a pleasingly competitive field, was written by Giacomo Prideaux (SU U6) who took as his subject Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Charles Twelves Wilson (C1 1926-31), recipient of a VC in 1942 in recognition of his valour in action in Somaliland. Giacomo’s entry was adjudged to be the unanimous winner by the specialist panel of judges, and was published in Spink’s magazine Insider.

Giacomo was further recognised most generously by the award of a remarkably fine facsimile Victoria Cross medal mounted in a frame and with an engraved inscription to mark his success.

Dr Simon McKeown
Head of History of Art, Marlborough College