A Victorian silver and bronze equestrian military statuette of the ‘Somerset Challenge Trophy’, John Aldwinckle & James Slater, London 1891

Modelled as a mounted officer of the Rifle Brigade, with rank insignia for a Colonel, wearing a Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) breast medal, representing Colonel Somerset on his charger Black Prince, with detached sword, mounted on a bronze plinth, each side inset with a silver plaque, the front and reverse with inscriptions

‘Presented to Colonel. A.P.F.C. Somerset. C.B. by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 7th battn the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consorts Own) as a small token of their sincere esteem, after a period of 28, years service, with the battalion. 20 of which, as commandant. 1892.’

‘This Statuette is a replica of The Somerset Challenge Trophy which was subscribed for by the Officers past & present, to perpetuate in the battalion the memory and name of their old chief, the base is cast from bronze of French guns captured at Waterloo a Battle in which Colonel Somerset’s Father, and other relatives distinguished themselves’, the end panels with the badge of The Rifle Brigade and arms with motto Mutare Vel Timere Sperno for Somerset.  English, 1891.

Height of model 26cm, overall height 42cm, weight 37.8oz.

This trophy was presented to Colonel Somerset at a ceremony at Fleet Camp on 1st July 1892. This event was published in the Middlesex Gazette.  The statuette is a replica of the ‘Somerset Challenge Trophy’, which was awarded to the company with the best marksmanship in the 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (1891 to 1909).

Colonel Alfred Plantagenet Frederick Charles Somerset (1829-1915) was the son of Colonel Lord John Thomas Henry Somerset (1787-1844) and grandson of Henry Somerset (1744-1803) 5th Duke of Beaufort). In 1857 he married Adelaide Harriet Brooke-Pechell (1833-1920) daughter of Vice Admiral Sir George Richard Brooke-Pechell (1789-1860).  He inherited and lived at Enfield Court, a fine house which now forms part of Enfield Grammar School.  General John Martin originally owned the property and when he died in 1852 bequeathed Enfield Court to his godson, Alfred’s father Lord John Somerset, who may have saved the life of the then Captain Martin at Waterloo in 1815.  Col. Alfred Somerset was created a Commander of the Bath in 1892, receiving the dignity of K.C.B. ten years later.

By family repute this was given by Field Marshall Montgomery to a Major Ernest Jenkins as a thank you for organising troop entertainment in World War Two. Thence by descent to the present owner.