In between issues of our newsletters why not enjoy new and occassional pieces:


The amazing story of a second hand skirt

As curator of vintage clothing and small donated items, I receive and occassionally buy interesting items. I recently purchased a khaki service skirt. On checking it I found a label underneath the waistband, which proved it be a real gem. It read: H Huntsman & Sons Ltd, 11 Savile Row, London WI - Lady Margaret Egerton 13.6.41.

After surfing the net I was surprized to find so much information about her and an address. I decided to take a chance and write to her in the hope that she could give me some information. Shortly after writing I received a telephone call from Harriet Bowes-Lyon, her daughter. Sadly, her mother had died in 2004, but we had a long conversation and she was happy to give me many details.

Margaret was in the ATS and rose through the ranks to Captain. She was stationed at Edinburgh Castle and the Orkneys, where she was in charge of a group of women. Her father wasn't happy about her joining up, but insisted she travel to London to have her uniform made by his tailor. Sadly, I do not have the jacket but Mrs Bowes-Lyon has the greatcoat and has said she would probably like to donate it to us when we find a building to use as a Museum. What a generous gesture.

The Egerton family came from Stechworth, near Newmarket, and eventually moved to Scotland. Margaret married Sir John Coville in October 1948. A wedding lunch was held at Stechworth Park on the occassion of their marriage. Sir John was private secretary to three Prime Ministers. Lady Margaret was Lady in Waiting to the then Princess Elizabeth and to the late Queen Mother from 1990 until she died. Mrs Bowes-Lyon was Lady in Waiting to The Princess Royal.

After several more telephone conversations and letters, I now have photograps of Lady Margaret in her uniform and wearing the now famous skirt. I also have the obituaries of her death, printed in the Times, Telegraph and The Scottish Herald.

I have recently come into possession of a book called 'Tea, Rum and Fags; Sustaining Tommy - 1914 - 18'. There is an etching of Lady Egerton's Coffee House in Rouen, 1915, on one of the pages and several accounts throughout the book of it. I contacted Mrs Bowes-Lyon about it and she is going to research the lady as she is likely to be a relative and will contact me in due course.

Isn't history amazing and life full of coincidences?

Harriet is rather amused that her mother's skirt should create so much interest. It is so satisfying to bring such research to a conclusion and meet new people along the way.

My special thanks goes to Ann Roberts and George Ginn for providing information which helped me in my research.

Barbara Warner