These are worn by the mayors of the former metropolitan borough of Greenwich and were presented to the borough shortly after the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, by Andrew Gibb, one of the original Aldermen.
The badge is oval with a massive ornamental border in rich Renaissance style. The centre contains an oval shield bearing the Kentish Horse, views of the Royal Observatory, the Royal Naval College, and the Arms of the Duke of Argyll.
The Gold Chain is 48 inches long and is composed of 26 links. The centre link has a naval crown at the top, and in the centre of the link itself there is a monogram of the first Mayor of Greenwich - Ralph Gooding.
On either side of the centre link are two links, bearing his initials and across these initials are the names of the four ancient parishes of the borough (Greenwich, St. Nicholas, Charlton and Kidbrooke).
The chain and badge throughout were made of 18ct gold and followed the scheme of the borough Arms, leopards' heads and guns united by trefoil rings forming the links, on the back of which were placed the names of successive mayors.
The rose shaped badge has accurate representations of the famous Warship ‘The Great Harry’ whose construction gave the borough of Woolwich the rank of Mother Dock of England, and is inscribed at the back ‘Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich’.
The badge and chain were presented to the borough by public subscription in 1901, during the Mayoralty of Sir Edwin Hughes.
Woolwich
Made by Messrs Ramsden & Carr from drawings by Mr Oswald Barron (an eminent authority on heraldry), and approved by the council on 6 June 1901. The work was carried out entirely by hand. The designs were framed on consistent lines, and in accordance with the true principles of mediaeval art.
The chain and badge throughout were made of 18ct gold and followed the scheme of the borough Arms, leopards' heads and guns united by trefoil rings forming the links, on the back of which were placed the names of successive mayors.
The rose shaped badge has accurate representations of the famous Warship ‘The Great Harry’ whose construction gave the borough of Woolwich the rank of Mother Dock of England, and is inscribed at the back ‘Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich’.
The badge and chain were presented to the borough by public subscription in 1901, during the Mayoralty of Sir Edwin Hughes.
The Badge is inscribed ‘Omar Ramsden and Alwin Carr made me’.