I had one more good medal to put on eBay today, which took some doing, as we had parcels to do and a queue of customers to serve. This is how it should be – we’ve missed the customers over the last few months.
This medal commemorates the life of Frederick, Duke of York, second son of George III, commander-in-chief of the British Army and the subject of the nursery rhyme “The Grand Old Duke of York”.
He wasn’t well regarded as a general, after some early setbacks in his career, but ended up reorganising the army into the force that Wellington used to defeat the French.
Frederick, Duke of York, reverse
If you are interested, you can read the link.
However, you might like to have a look at this picture.
Frederick, Duke of York
He’s not going to win any beauty contests, is he?
However, there is another reason for including it – it’s by Sir Thomas Lawrence. You may remember him from yesterday, though it really doesn’t matter if you don’t.
He was 63 when he died, which is only three years older than me. I’ve noticed a distressing tendency amongst people to be not much older than me when they die. On Radio 4’s Last Word the average age was 75, which is good, but could be better.
I’m about the age that my Mum was when we had to stop her reading obituaries and making similar calculations. I might have to stop listening to Radio 4 on Fridays.
Very well photographed. Father’s age is the date we mostly keep in mind – now I have to focus on my Mum’s
Good luck with that! 🙂
🙂
What does Jackie think of you hanging about so long?
She say’s I’m not burying her, so maybe she has her own goal in mind
I’m already weaving this into a plot – blogger, cruciverbalist and raconteur Derrick J Knight disappears. His trophy wife is seen in the garden laying a new patio…
Early days yet, but I’m feeling good about this one. I think it’s better than the one about the antique dealers that reanimate a mummy in the stockroom.
🙂 Get a move on – I may not live that long
I’ll get on with it later tonight. Now, what dark secret can you be hiding? Hmm…
🙂
I think the Duke is better looking in the painting than on the coin. Probably painters had to flatter a bit. It used to be when people died, unless it was a motorcycle accident or something, they were always older than I was. Now, not so much. It’s a little reminder to seize the day!
There’s no need to flatter the sitter on a memorial medal. 🙂
Yes, I’m trying to do some seizing, before it’s too late.
I am at that age, too. Always hate reading about someone dying who is younger than I am. I want everyone to live into an old age.
We need you to live long enough to complete a lot of Maya books!
I was told my longest-lived relative was 106 when he died. So you may have several more decades to go, Quercus. Despair not. 🙂
My oldest, I think, was 93. It’s something to aim for, though I may have to think about setting a new record.
I find it hard to believe that I will be 65 this year. My next challenge is to get to state pension entitlement in 2020.
I have a few years more but I’m hoping to live long enough to draw some pension. 🙂
Show biz deaths seem to be younger then me for the most past these days and academics older. It depends on how exciting you want your life to be it appears. I am aiming for long and boring.
Long and boring has a comforting ring to it. It’s my father’s 90th birthday this week and his 89 year old brother should be there – I’m pinning my hope on genetics.