ROYALTY’S OLDEST SERVANT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 4962, 26 March 1912, Page 3

ROYALTY’S OLDEST SERVANT.

The oldest servant of the Royal House, Captain Sir David Welch, R.N., died at the Royal Cottage, Virginia Water, on the morning of February 3rd, in his 92nd year. Though he was wont to describe himself as “the oldest servant in the Royal establishment,” Sir David’s associations with four generations of the reigning house were far more intimate and cordial than this relation would imply. Sir David was a prime favourite with Queen Victoria, in whose yachts he served for close on 40 years. He knew King Edward from childhood, and a close friendship existed between them. King George had a great affection for the veteran, and on the anniversary of his 90th birthday presented him with a marshal’s baton of silver-gilt, which formed a 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 brig that navigated the waters of Windsor Great Park. Sir David was born at sea, his father being a lieutenant in the Wavy in command of a cutter. He entered the Service as a youngster, and served on the “wooden walls” until 1847. when he was appointed to the Royal yacht Fairy. When that was broken up the captain was placed in command of the Alberta, a position he occupied for thirty years. During this time he was given the post of Keeper of the Royal Cot- , tage, sometimes known as the Fishing Temple. There he lived i when he left the sea, and there from i time to time he entertained moat of the great ones of the earth. The i Royal Family often take tea in summer at the cottage, and during the Royal shooting parties lunch is generally served there. The drawing-room ie a perfect academy 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 included Queen Victoria, the Prince Consort, King Edward, Queen Alexandra, the late German Dmperor, and ' present German Emperor, and the King of Spain. Placed about the rooms are several valuable gifts, all with some pleasing story attached to them. In these the old jailor took a pardonable pride. Even after his 90th birthday Sir David still rode a tricycle, on which he used to pay frequent visits to the castle. This and sailing on the lake were his chief recreations. He had a sailor’s love for a “yarn” over his pipe, and pojsessed a great fund of stories, which he told with infinite humour. Sir David was a lifelong total abstaineer, though ho took no credit for this, and explained that it was “just a habit.” He was also a strong Non-conformist. These two facts are sufficiently remarkable, considering the traditions of the Navy when Sir David joined it, and are an indication of the strength of character which distinguished him. During Sir David Welch’s last illness the King not only visited him, but had messages sent daily as to, his condition, and the Queen was equally concerned about the patient. At the King’s request Sir Douglas Powell held a consultation with Captain Welch’s own medical man. An Amsterdam periodical refers to the effect of ultra-violet beams on bacteria, and to the fact that such beams are abundantly developed by mercury incandescent lamps, and relates that through this medium milk may now be sterilised in a few minutes. An apparatus has been constructed, it is explained, whereby the milk flows in a thin stream along an electric light. Demonstrations were first made with water infected with different kinds of bacteria and it is said that the water was purified in a few minutes without appreciably increasing its temperature. The result is attributed to the quality of the ozone formed under the influence of the light, but the demonstrations must be conducted where there is sufficient room for the light to burn freely. This method of sterilisation, without heating or adding preservatives, is believed to have great hygienic value in respect to nursing children.