Miniature silver oar

One of four miniature silver oars and a gold medal won in regattas by Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Francis Elkins (b.1903).

Silver oar with inscriptions on both sides. The loom has 'R.F.ELKINS' on one side and 'HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH' on the other. The blade has '1ST BATTLE SQADRON [sic] OFFICERS GIGS 1925. 2ND' on one side and 'C.C. DICKINSON; J.H.DALE; N.V.GRACE; E.W.L.COOK; B.L.MOORE, R.F.ELKINS' on the other.

The four oars won in the Mediterranean by Elkins when he was serving in HMS 'Queen Elizabeth', HMS 'Valiant', and in China on HMS 'Cumberland', are displayed in a glazed frame with a gold medal commemorating the centenary of Brazilian independence in 1922, won by Midhipman R. F Elkins at an international regatta in Rio when he was serving in HMS 'Hood' (PLT0282-5).

The NMM has also acquired Vice-Admiral Elkins' papers, including his midshipman's journal and his reports on the Invergordon Mutiny.

Object Details

ID: PLT0284
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Oar
Display location: Not on display
Events: China Fleet Veteran Officers Skiff Race
Vessels: Cumberland (1926)
Date made: 1938
People: Elkins, Robert Francis; de Steel, H Pfl Giddy, R. M. Hopper, H Gfl Williams, A Nfl
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London