Faithful Servant

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 13

Faithful Servant

"STEVE” OF EtON DEAD MANY TOP HATS POLISHED LONDON, Feb. 15. Mr Stephen Barber, of High Street, Eton, who has died aged S 7, has been associated with Eton College for more than 70 years. At the ago of 15 he entered the service of Mr Lingwood, who supplied the boys of the College with their silk hats, fancy waistcoats, socks, and similar articles. Mr Barber remained with the same establishment almost until his death. He was in the shop three weeks ago. Mr Barber was a colleague of the famous Solomon, who, at the age of S 3, still polishes “toppers” for the boys, and often when there was a rush "Steve,” as he was called by the boys, assisted in giving hats a glossy shine. Between them they had polished more than 500,000 hats. In the days when the Eton College Training Corps was part of the Bucks Territorial Force, “Steve” was one of the instructors of the drum and life band.

Among the distinguished Etonians with whom he came into contact were Prince Arthur of Connaught, the Duke of Gloucester, the King of the Belgians, Lord Ampthill, the King of Siam, and the Duke of Portland.