ROYALTY'S OLDEST SERVANT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 75, 25 March 1912, Page 7

ROYALTY'S OLDEST SERVANT.

SAILOR WHO TAUGHT THE

KING

The oldest servant of <Vhe _ - Roya4 House, Captain Sir David Welch. I*.N., died at the' Royal Cottage^ Virginia Water, on the morning of February 3rd, in his 92nd year. Though he "was wont to describe liimself as "the oldest servant in the ■Royal •establishment," Sir David'sassociation :wilh four generations of the reigning house were far more" int'niate and cordial than this relation would imply. Sir David was a prime favorite with Queen Victoria, in vrliose yachts- he f-erved for elds© on 40 years. He knew King Edward -..from childhood.. and a close friendship existed between them. King George nad a great affection for the , veteran, and on the anniversary of Ms 90th birthday presented him with a- marshal's "Baton of silver-gilt, which formed ;i convenient receptacle for 90 sovereigns. The Prince of Wales and his brother had their first lesson in sailing from Sir David, who was in command of the miniature Royal lvrig that navigated the waters of "Windsor Great Park. Sir David was born at sea, his lather being a lieutenant in the Navy 5u oommand of a cutter. He entered the Service as a youngster, and served on the "wooden wails" until 1&47 when he was appointed to the Boyal yacht Fairy- When that was broken up the captain was placed in .command of the Alberta, a position Sic occupied for 30 years. During ihis time he was given the post or deeper of the Royal Cottage, sometimes known as the Fishing Temple. "There he lived when he left the-sea, and there from time to time he entertained most of the great ones of the earliu The Royal Family often take tea in summer at the cottage, jind during the Royal shooting parlies lunch is generally served there. The drawing-room is a perfect acaxJemy of Royal portraits, there being on its walls or on the tables autographed photographs of almost every member of the Royal Families of Europe who has visited Windsor or sailed on the Alberta. They include Queen Victoria, the Prince Consort, King Edward, Queen Alexandra, the }ato German Emperor, and the King tit Spain. . Placed about the room u'-o several valuable gilts, all. with some story attached to them. in these the old sailor took a pardonable pride. - . . Even after his 80th birtnday bir "David still rode a tricycle, on which he used to pay frequent, visits to the -castle. This and sailing on the Jake were his chief recreations. He had a -sailor's lovev* for a "yarn" over his pipe, and possessed a. great fund of Rtories, which he told with infinite "humor. ' aiir David was a lifelong total abstainer, though he took no credit for this, arid explained that it was "just a habit." He was also a strong Nonronforruist. These two facts are remarkable, considering Hie traditions of the Navy when Sir David joined it, and are an indication r? the strength of character which distinguished him. % Durnv Sir David Welch's last llliiass the"King not only visited him, l>ui hud messages sent daily as to his condition, and the Queen was equally concerned about the patient. At tho . King's request Sir Douglas Poweli ;i«ld a consultation with Captain 1 Welch's own medical man.