Raiders Steal Iron Duke Jewels: Priceless jewels which ones belonged to the Duke of Wellington-the Iron Duke-were stolen last night in a daring raid by two men. The raiders walked into the Wellington Museum at Apsley House, Piccadily, just before it was due to close at 5.15pm. They bought visitors tickets and went to the room where the Wellington gems are displayed. The two men slammed the door the hammered wedges under it. Then they coshed the 60-year old attendant, Mr Alfred Brown, of Forest Hill, South London. The raiders smashed three showcases and grabbed the Greater George Garter Jewel, the £10,000 Jewel of the Golden Fleece and a jewelled baton of a field-marshal of the Imperial Russian Army. The two men escaped to alrest through a window-using a piece of corrugated iron as a makeshift bridge. The Garter Jewel was lent to Sir Winston Churchill for the coronation in 1953. It was originally given to his ancestor, the first Duke of Marlborough. Photo shows. View of the plate and China Room of the Wellington Museum, Apaley House-showing two of the three smashed showcases after the raid. On left is the smashed showcase which held the greater Garter jewel.
Photo measures 10.25 x 8 inches.
Photo is dated 12-12-1965.
Photo back:
