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Sir George Rowland Blades -- 1st Baron Ebbisham.

Lord Ebbisham

George Rowland Blades was born 15th April 1868 and was the oldest son of Rowland Hill Blades of Sydenham, Kent (now part of London). He married in 1907 Margaret Emma Reiner (M.B.E. 1943., Officer Legion of Honour, Order of St. John.) daughter of Arthur Reiner of Sutton, Surrey. They had issue one son and three daughters. Chairman of Blades, East & Blades Ltd, Printers of London.

Tyrrells Wood Golf Club - Clubhouse C.1880.

He was Alderman for the ward of Bassishaw (City of London) 1920-1948, Senior Sheriff City of London 1917-1918, Lord Mayor of London 1926-1927, one of H.M.'s Lieutenants for the City of London, President Federation of British Industries 1928-1929, Past Master of the Haberdashers' and Stationers' Companies, Vice Grand Master and later Chancellor and Treasurer of the Primrose League, Conservative (Unionist) M.P. for Epsom Division of Surrey 1918-1928, Treasurer of the Conservative Party Organisation 1931-1933, President of the Nation Union 1936, Vice-President of the City of London Savings Committee, Almoner of Christ's Hospital, Member of the Enquiry Committee into Government Printing Establishments 1923, Member of the Royal Police Commission 1928, Member of the Channel Tunnel Committee 1929.
Grand officer, Legion of Honour. Grand Officer, Crown of Italy. Grand Officer de L'Ordre de la Couronne, Belgium. Officer of the Order of the Nile (Egypt).
He was knighted in 1918, created Baronet in 1922, and created 1st Baron Ebbisham of Cobham 5th July 1928. Ebbisham is the Saxon name for Epsom.
His recreations are recorded as Cricket and Golf. He was a Trustee of Surrey County Cricket Club and was the first Captain, a position he held for three years, of Tyrrells Wood Golf Club, which opened in 1923 for regular play. The Clubhouse (pictured) is a Grade II listed building. He died on 24th May 1953 aged 85.
His son Rowland Roberts Blades was born 3rd September 1912 and died 12th April 1991 aged 78, the Peerage became extinct on his death.

To-day's great trunk call - 8th January 1927.

Experimental tests were made and satisfactorily completed yesterday by the Post Office authorities in London in readiness for to-day's opening of the public London-New York transatlantic wireless telephone service.
When the clock at St Paul's chimes at 1.45 this afternoon an operator of the American service in the main London trunks office will operate a call to New York, and within a few seconds Sir Evelyn G. Murray, secretary of the General Post Office, hopes to be in telephone conversation from his own room in London with Mr Walter S. Gifford, president of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in New York.
Sir Evelyn will simply speak for a few minutes across the ocean and then the public bookings will be dealt with in order of precedence. Post Office officials would not disclose yesterday the actual number of calls booked from the London end, but it is known that the service will be kept going at full pressure until the nominal time of closing down at 6 p.m. There has been a hustle for calls from the New York end, and calls from both the London and New York ends can only be dealt with through one channel. Assuming the service will be fully engaged for the 4 1/4 hours it will have cost subscribers, at £5 a minute, something like £1,200. Some callers, it is stated, have booked for the full twelve minutes at a cost of £60.
When the service opens it will be 8.45 a.m. in New York. When the service closes down in London the business man on Broadway will be thinking of lunch at one o'clock.
The Lord Mayor of London, Sir Rowland Blades, will expect a call from the Mayor of New York in the afternoon, when greetings will be exchanged.

Lady Blades, later Lady Ebbisham, née Margaret Emma Reiner (d.1965) with Twin Daughters (1908-) Miss Margaret (Agnes) Blades, later Hon Mrs Richard John Penfold Wyat. Miss (Helen) Elizabeth Blades, later Hon Lady Russell. At Court on 24th May 1927.

The foundation stone was laid on 21 June 1924 and the Lord Mayor of London Sir Rowland Blades (later Lord Ebbisham) officially opened the building to the public just four months later on 3rd November 1924.

Two of Maids of Honour on the occasion of the Lord Mayor's Show, 9th November 1927 (standing far left & seated far right) twin Daughters of George Rowland Blades (Born 1908): Miss Margaret (Agnes) Blades, later Hon. Mrs. Richard John Penfold Wyat; m. (1933) Brig. Richard John Penfold Wyat. Miss (Helen) Elizabeth Blades, later Lady Russell; m. (1939) Adm. Hon. Sir Guy Herbrand Edward Russell, 2nd son of 2nd Baron Ampthill.

SIR GEORGE MONOUX GRAMMAR SCHOOL (1527-1927. Closed 1986.).

THE OPENING of the NEW MONOUX SCHOOL BUILDING.

A new era of progress and service on the part of our School began on 20th July 1927, when the Rt. Hon. Sir Rowland Blades, Bart., M.P., Lord Mayor of London, supported by the Sheriffs of the City of London, opened our new School Building in Chingford Road, Walthamstow (East London). The old-world pageantry of the City added to the occasion an air of dignified splendour, and a civic dignity such as we of Walthamstow rarely witness.
At noon of this day the stage was set for the enactment of these events of momentous import. A great crowd had gathered in Chingford Road; the central approach to the School was thronged with Monovians; and Councillor H. Frost, J.P., first citizen of Walthamstow, in company with Mr. J. Hewett, E.C.C., Chairman of the Walthamstow Higher Education Committee, stood before the main door of the building, in readiness to receive the first citizen of London, worthy successor of George Monoux, our illustrious founder.

Sir George Monoux Grammar School.

The Lord Mayor's party arrived and having received the golden key from Mr. Hewett, unlocked the doors of the new building. After graciously acknowledging the acclamations of the School, the Lord Mayor, with his party, entered the School, and then a commemorative tablet in the Entrance Hall was unveiled by the Lady Mayoress. The scene then shifted to the Assembly Hall of the School for the enactment of the most solemn part of the proceedings. All remained standing for the singing of the hymn, "O God our help in ages past," and while the Bishop of Barking dedicated the building to the sacred cause of education. The Rev. R.W. Sorensen then read the lesson (Ecclesiasticus xliv, 1-14), and after the hymn, "Now thank we all our God," had been sung, the Bishop blessed the people. This dedicatory service, though short, was from its very simplicity deeply impressive. After the service came the speeches of the Chairman and the Lord Mayor.
The Chairman (Mr. J. Hewett), in asking the Lord Mayor to declare the buildings open, said:
"This is a great day in the history of the School, whose tradition goes far back into the distant past. In 1527 this School was originated in the Almshouses in the Old Churchyard. Since that time many things have happened. In 1916 a monograph was published by the Antiquarian Society. In that monograph you may read the story of the wanderings of the School since it left the old Almshouses. Now these wanderings, after ten times forty years, have ended, and we have gathered this morning to wish the School God-speed as it starts upon a new venture in a new land, which, I hope, will prove fertile, and which is certainly a land with great promise..... Many have thought about this building and seen it in imagination only. We can congratulate Mr. Midgley on leading the School into this commodious place with all its privileges, and entering into and possessing it. It is for Mr. Midgley and his staff to gather and reap an abundant harvest ..... The Lord Mayor has honoured Walthamstow by coming amongst us, but the people of Walthamstow are a proud and independent people. The honour is not quite on one side. We realise that, in asking the Lord Mayor to open this School, we are likewise conferring an honour upon him. I venture to think that during his year of office no more important work will be done by the Lord Mayor than in opening such a School, the ideals of which are the training of intellect and the cultivation of character, upon the building of which the whole stability of the Empire depends."
The Lord Mayor then rose to declare the buildings open: his speech was remarkable for its genial good humour, and for a real interest displayed in the School's welfare :
"I endorse what the Chairman has said concerning an honour being conferred upon me. It is the greatest honour that could occur in one's life, let alone in twelve months." It gives me the greatest pleasure to declare these buildings open, and to wish for those who use them every success and prosperity. It has afforded the Lady Mayoress and myself and the Sheriffs much satisfaction to be here to-day, and to take part in a ceremony so profoundly interesting, not merely to the inhabitants of this important and populous district, but to the city of London. There is general agreement that George Monoux was a Londoner by birth and education. He came of an old Worcestershire family, settled at Stanford, and was born about 1465. He began his public career at Bristol, where he was Bailiff in 1490, and Mayor in 1500. Monoux returned to London and lived in Crooked Lane, which is within 100 yards of the Mansion House. In 1506 he became Warden of the Drapers' Company, of which he was afterwards Master on six occasions. He became Alderman of Bassishaw in 1507, and so continued till 1541. It is a coincidence that I am the present Alderman of that ward. In 1509 he was Sheriff, and in 1514 Mayor of London. He was again elected to the Mayoralty in 1523, but was excused from serving by his own wish. In 1523 he was elected M.P. for the City of London, and in the following year he was "Father of the City," that is to say, the Senior Alderman. He came to Walthamstow about 1506, and lived at 'Moones,' in Billet Road. This estate, I am told, has just been sold, and will soon be covered with houses.
In 1527, Monoux founded and endowed his Grammar School and Almshouses in St. Mary's Churchyard. Monoux also built the tower of the Church and a chapel in it, a feast room for the poor parishioners, and a bridge over the Lea. He was a man of great wealth, and possessed large estates in various parts of England. He died at 'Moones' in 1543, and was buried in the Parish Church of Walthamstow, where his brass may yet be seen. "I used to live at Leyton, and had plenty of opportunities of coming to Walthamstow. It was a great pleasure to play on the Essex County Cricket Ground. Those who remember Frank Silcock, Mead, and others, know what a proud position Essex held in those days, and I am certain will continue to hold."
The Mououx School has had, in its existence of four hundred years, four habitations. It was founded in 1527 on the north side of St. Mary's Church, and the gable of the existing building is of that date. The School was carried on in the Churchyard till 1878. It was then closed, and started on a new foundation in 1886, in West Avenue. A new School was built in the High Street, and opened by the Lord Mayor (Sir Henry Isaacs) in 1889. That building has been used till the present time. The Essex County Council took over the School in 1916, and determined to raise a larger building with playing fields. The new School which I have to-day opened is on a site of more than eleven acres, and has accommodation for 470 boys. It will have the latest equipment, and has cost more than £43,000. It is quite close to George Monoux's old house, and it is more than probable that it was part of his Walthamstow Estate. " I think I have said enough to convince you of the sincere interest which the City of London rightly and properly takes in this ceremony, and especially of my own pride that a predecessor of my own in the Ward of Bassishaw and as Lord Mayor should have been a man of such wonderful benevolence and public spirit. That my own name should be in any way identified with this splendid building is a source of much satisfaction to me."
Times have immensely changed since the School has been in existence. What used to be little more than a village, with a quiet pastoral population, has now become one of the most crowded districts in all London, with a population of nearly 200,000. Walthamstow is one of the dormitories of the City, and it is a sight to see the trains discharging their thousands of passengers at the City termini for their daily work in the banks, offices, and warehouses of the City. I am glad, in these days when so much is being said in favour of playing fields, to know that the School has a site which will enable it to have a good sports ground.
The Committee and all concerned are to be congratulated upon the magnificent work that has been completed. I hope that boys will remember the self-denial and the sacrifices of the men and women, for no doubt women worked in connection with this scheme, to make their education completely satisfactory to all concerned. The boys must remember that the only reward you can give to the men who sacrificed their time is by working hard. You must stick to your work and realise that you have opportunities now which will never occur again. You must win the regard and affection of those for whom you work. I ask you boys to value the opportunities you have. You have a wonderful School and a wonderful Headmaster.
"I represent a position I myself have not made, because I am out of office in a few weeks, but, as Lord Mayor, let me ask you to be honourable in your games. By playing the game in life you will all have a great future before you. I wish the School every possible success. Work with your whole heart, and by the efforts of boys, governors, and staff everything will be well."
After the School Song had been sung, a vote of thanks was proposed by Alderman J. H. Burrows, and seconded by Councillor G. Gibbons. Raymond Lewis then presented the Lady Mayoress with a basket of flowers, after which the Captain of the School led the company in three cheers for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. Sir Rowland Blades responded by proposing three cheers for the Governors, Headmaster, and Staff of the School. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was then proposed by Mr. H. de Havilland, and seconded by Councillor H. Frost. The ceremony closed with the singing of the National Anthem.

THE WORKING LAD'S INSTITUTE & HOME, 1927 ANNUAL REPORT.

Great enthusiasm marked the Annual Meeting of the Working Lads' Institute, Whitechapel Road (London), on Monday afternoon, when the Lord Mayor (Sir Rowland Blades), accompanied by the Lady Mayoress and the City Sheriffs (Mr. H. Percy Shepherd, C.C., and Mr. Percy Vincent, C.C.), were in attendance, and others present included Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Vincent, Mr. J. D. Kiley, J.P., Mr. Henry Hill, the President of Conference (Rev. A. L. Humphries, M.A.), the Rector of Whitechapel (Rev. J. A. Mayo, M.A.), Rev. J. E. Stern (Stepney Green Synagogue), and the Rev. J. T. Barkby (ex-President of Conference), Councillor J. D. Somper, J.P., Miss Hill, Mr. H. E. Kinchin, Rev. J. E. Thorp, and Rev. J. H. Hirst.
The occasion was of more than usual interest, for the certificate of the amount raised for the Jubilee Testimonial Fund on the completion of 50 years' work in the East End of London by the Rev. Thomas Jackson, the Superintendent, was handed to the Lord Mayor, and the Founder, Mr. Henry Hill, presented some unique souvenirs to the Institute.
Miss Hill, the daughter of the Founder, presented a handsome bouquet of pink roses and pink and white carnations, subscribed for by boys from the Institute who are working on Devonshire farms, nearly all being first offenders, to the Lady Mayoress, who expressed her thanks for the token.
The Superintendent's Report.
The Rev. Thomas Jackson in giving his report of the year's work, said it was a special pleasure to have the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and the Sheriffs at the Annual Meeting. At the birth of the Institute at the Mansion House in 1876, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs then in office were present, and, with few exceptions, each year since the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs had honoured the Institute by their attendance. The usual activities of the Institute and Home had been well maintained during the past year and the lads of the district had shown a keen interest in the facilities for instruction, recreation, and enjoyment provided for them. Gymnasium, swimming, indoor and outdoor games, summer camp, cinematograph, wireless, drill, rallies, and concerts were among the features of the past year's work. It was gratifying that the influence of the Institute, in co-operation with other agencies, had made the district free of hooligans, and there was ample evidence of the marked improvement in the character and conduct of the lads of the neighbourhood. Happily, the Founder of the Institute was with them, and if those who responded to his appeal when the inaugural meeting was held 50 years ago, at the Mansion House, had been spared to see the results that had been secured, they would have felt amply rewarded for their gifts in support of the movement. The Home Section of the work had been most gratifying, the admissions for the year ending March 31st numbered 79, first offenders had been received from nearly all the Metropolitan Courts and from 31 Provincial Courts, some coming from as far as Armagh and Belfast (Ireland). Many expressions of appreciation had been received from justices, and applications for lads from the Working Lads' Institute and Home had become greater than they could respond to. In addition to the 79 lads admitted to the Home, 43 discharged prisoners and 18 Borstal cases had been successfully dealt with.

Working Lads' Institute.

They felt that by the labours of the past years they had contributed a not inconsiderable quota to the interesting and gratifying results indicated by the closing of 25 out of 62 prisons during the past 10 years, and the closing of 40 reformatory and industrial schools. They had not, as a community, reached ideal conditions, but there was no encouragement for pessimism in the trend of public order and morals. They deeply regretted the loss by death of two of the Committee, the late Mr. William Tyler, J.P., and Mr. Charles C. Maynard (treasurer), also a long friend, the late Sir Stuart Samuel, Bart., who was present at their last Annual Meeting, a few days before he suddenly passed away. The Jubilee of the Superintendent, the Rev. Thomas Jackson, who had completed fifty years ministry in East London, and that of the founding of the Institute occurred during the year. The proposal to present Mr. Jackson with a personal testimonial being declined by him, he suggested that a testimonial of £2,000 be raised and invested for the benefit of the work. This had been consummated, and the sum of £2,073 received. It afforded him the greatest possible pleasure to hand to the Lord Mayor the Accountant's certificate for the amount, which would be invested in aid of the work.
The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Institute, then received the certificate. The Superintendent submitted the statement of account , which showed an income of £1,474/16/10 for the year. He mentioned that this year they were eligible to make an application to the City Corporation for a grant.
Lord Mayor's Address.
The Lord Mayor, in his address, recalled a visit paid by himself and his wife to the Institute rather more than nine years ago, when he was Senior Sheriff. It was also a great pleasure to remember the Founder of the Institute, Mr. Henry Hill, who had just celebrated his golden wedding.
The Report presented by the Secretary was one of much interest, and must be encouraging to the Committee and friends of the Institute. The recent successful jubilee celebration of the founding of the Institute, held at the Mansion House, was evidence of the appreciation of the good work accomplished and a testimony to the valuable service rendered by Mr. Jackson, its Superintendent, during his fifty years ministry in East London. The provision made for the enjoyment and recreation of the lads of the district supplied a wise and effective preventative influence against the evils that followed from street rowdyism, where such facilities were not supplied. The greater and more sympathetic attention paid in recent years by both public and voluntary agencies to the youths of both sexes was producing favourable results. In respect to the Special Work of the Institute Home, it was most satisfactory to note that of the 79 lads admitted during the past year, 59 were orphans and in necessitous circumstances. The success in placing first offenders in good situations upon Devonshire Farms and Yorkshire Mines was a gratifying feature. The appreciative reference of Mr. Clarke Hall, of the Old Street Police Court, to the valuable assistance this Home had rendered him in past years in securing suitable situations for boys from that court would be endorsed by Metropolitan and Provincial justices. It was valuable testimony to that and kindred Institutions, and the sympathetic treatment by the Magistracy of juvenile first offenders, that during the past nine years 40 reformatory and industrial schools have been closed and the value of the Children's Act demonstrated. He warmly congratulated Mr. Jackson upon the success of the effort for the jubilee Testimonial and for his disinterested action in connection therewith, and he had hoped that he had many years still before him in which to continue his beneficent work to which he had directed his lifetime.

Index Page More information on the Blade family, but only available on the CD due to file sizes.

References: Who's Who 1953 and 1984. The Guardian: Saturday 8th January 1927. Extracts from: The Monoviam Magazine. 1927. Extracts from: The Working Lads' Institute & Home Annual Report. 1927. London Gazette, various dates. Letter from Ebbisham to de Sausmarez