Royal Military Tournament 1897 1st Place Cup

Colonials Competition Royal Military Tournament Trophy 1897 Bayonet 1st Prize

A 8.5 inch (21.59 cm) diameter by 5.5 inch (13.97 cm) high sterling silver bowl trophy dated 1897 awarded to Pte O. Stewart for most successful bayonet fighter.

The Royal Tournament was the world’s largest military tattoo and pageant, held by the British Armed Forces annually between 1880 and 1999. The venue was originally the Royal Agricultural Hall and latterly the Earls Court Exhibition Centre. In its later years it also acted as a fundraising event for leading forces charities, such as The Royal British Legion.

The Grand Military Tournament and Assault at Arms was held at the former Royal Agricultural Hall, in Islington from 21 to 26 June 1880. The Tournament was effectively a series of competitions contested by the officers and men of the regular and auxiliary units of the British Army. Although crowds didn’t flock to the Tournament in the first year, it was held again in 1881 and subsequent years.

More events to please audiences were added, including music from military bands, re-enactments, Musical Rides by the Cavalry and Musical Drives by the Artillery. Crowds began to flock to performances at the Agricultural hall; during the early 1900s the show outgrew its home and moved to the west London venue of Olympia. The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force also participated. The show was renamed a number of times until it finally became the Royal Tournament.

Associated place
Toronto
Associated event
Royal Military Tournament
Associated name(s)
Pte O. Stewart
Era
1891 – 1913 Early years
Location of artifact
Case 9/10 Early Yrs
Classification
Trophies

Gallery

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