The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

CIVIC INSIGNIA
In this section we continue our look at Civic Insignia. The observant amongst you will have noticed that the header of
this section has changed. After publication of the last edition of the magazine the editor was taken to task and
informed that it should be ‘Insignia’ rather than ‘Regalia’. The dictionary definitions of both are.
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Regalia The emblems or insignia of royalty, especially the crown, sceptre, and other ornaments used at a
coronation.
Insignia A distinguishing badge or emblem of military rank, office, or membership of an organization
As a result, your editor considers himself corrected.
LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM
The Hammersmith Mayoral chain and badge were provided by public subscription
and presented to Hammersmith Metropolitan Borough Council on the subscribers’
behalf by W J Bull, MP (later Sir William Bull). It was made by the Goldsmith’s and
Silversmith’s Company and the artist and borough councillor, Sir William Blake
Richmond, was consulted over the design.
The chain, which is made of eighteen carat gold, consists of alternate linking letter
H’s, with crossed hammers, and ornamental shields for engraving the names of
successive Mayors. The badge, consisting of a gold and enamelled replica of the
coat of arms of Hammersmith Metropolitan Borough, is suspended from a centre link
bearing the initials of the first Mayor, Thomas Chamberlen, and the date 1900.
The second Mayoral badge of the Metropolitan
Borough of Fulham was the gift of the sixteenth Mayor of Fulham, Fred Holgate
Barber, in 1928. Made of 18 carat gold it shows the new coat of arms, granted to
Fulham on 12 October 1927. This includes the crossed swords and golden mitre of
the Bishops of London, the wavy bars of the river and the sailing ship of the
Danes. The motto is 'Pro civibus et civitate' meaning 'For citizens and state'.
The chain is composed of alternate shields and the letter F connected by a wave
link pattern chain. The shields have a crane on either side, and are surmounted by
a crown. The centre link is surmounted by an imperial crown.
THE INVISIBLE MEN (AND WOMEN)
Keith Simpson, Hammersmith & Fulham
At every Civic Procession with the Mayor in attendance the Mace can be seen and whenever the Mayor attends an
event the Mayoral Chauffeur /Attendant is not far away. How many times have you looked at the pictures later
reported in the press and said ‘That is my elbow’ or ‘I was stood just to the left of that person there’?
Tim Alban of Huntingdon sent us this unusual photograph.
To redress the balance, here is a picture of Tim how
he normally looks.