Bread Street Ward Club

www.breadstreetwardclub.org

Annual Dinner
March 2016, The Livery Hall, Guildhall, City of London

Bread Street Loyal Volunteer - Shoulder Arms

"At the word Arms the right hand flings the firelock a little upwards, & catches it by ye small of the Butt, the left hand the same instant seizes it a little under ye swell."

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, The Volunteer Corps "in moments of alarm and of imminent dangers, so readily and honourably stood forward, at their own expense, to assist the Civil Magistrates, and to preserve the tranquillity of the Great and commercial Emporium; and to defend the Property of their less qualified neighbours from the ruffian hands of interested depredators, and from the malicious schemes of disloyalty.

To guard those Laws from violation, that have so long withstood the test of time, the Genius of the Nation drew the Sword, and justice gave her sanction; to follow the bold example was the first wish of the Associators."

Annual Dinner
March 2015, The Livery Hall, Guildhall, City of London

Admiral Arthur Phillip R.N., Citizen of London, founder and first governor of Australia. Born in the ward of Bread Street 11th October 1738. Entered the Royal Navy 1755 and died 31st August 1814.

To his indomitable courage, prophetic vision, forbearance, faith, inspiration and wisdom was due the success of the first settlement in Australia at Sydney on Saturday 26th January 1788.

A memorial, originally erected at St Mildred's Church Bread Street, and unveiled by His Late Royal Highness Prince George, KG, GCVO, RN on 7th December 1932, was presented by the late Charles Cheers, Baron Wakefield of Hythe CBE, LLD, Alderman of the Ward of Bread Street, Lord Mayor of London 1915/16, to the citizens of London and the people of Australia as an enduring link between the motherland and the great island continent of Australia.

The church was destroyed by enemy action in 1941 but the bronze bust and plates were salvaged from its ruins. This re-erected memorial was unveiled on 8th May 1968 by His Excellency the Honourable Sir Alexander Downer, KBE, High Commissioner for Australia and re-dedicated by the Right Reverend Francis Evered Junt, Bishop of Stepney.