Military Silver on Display at the Guildhall
On the 30 June 2008 the Adjutant General’s Corps exercised their Freedom of the City of Winchester by marching through the town and parading in front of the Guildhall. In recognition of this event, the Corps donated a silver statuette to the City for inclusion in the Civic Collection.
The silver statuette is of a Captain of the Corps in full service dress, standing with sword drawn in the ‘at ease' position. The captain has five medals, which is a typical number for a senior Captain of the Corps who has served in Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia and Iraq or Afghanistan. The statuette stands on a circular base which is inscribed to commemorate the freedom parade.
The Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) was created in 1992 from the merging of the Royal Army pay Corps, the Corps of Royal Military Police, the Military Provost Staff Corps, The Royal Army Educational Corps and the Army Legal Corps. The Freedom of the City of Winchester was bestowed upon the Royal Army Pay Corps in 1970 and the honour was transferred to the AGC with the merger.
Cllr Patricia Stallard, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Sport, said:
"Winchester is a vibrant city, and our rich military heritage often gives rise to the most colourful of spectacles for us to enjoy and admire. We are proud of the associations we have with service personnel past and present, and will treasure this statuette. I hope many people will come to see it at Winchester Guildhall while it is on display."
The statuette is already on display at the Guildhall, along with a candelabra gifted to the City in 1971 in celebration of the Royal Pay Corps’ Freedom Parade. It can be viewed during normal opening hours until Tuesday 31st March 2009.
The Adjutant General’s Corps has its own museum in the former Guard House at Peninsula Barracks, Winchester. For further information please log on to www.agcorps.org/museum.htm