In October 1927, a group of some of the most eminent people in the country held a dinner in honour of Harry, at the Piccadilly Hotel in London. They had arranged a commemorative Chippendale silver salver to be made, engraved with all their signatures. An inscription across the centre read; “Presented to HARRY PRESTON by a Few Friends October 17th 1927“.
126 signatures adorned the surface of the silver salver, including H.R.H. Edward, Prince of Wales (‘Edward’ is inscribed just above the centre).
Other names from all walks of business, sport and entertainment included; Edgar Wallace (writer), Viscount Churchill, Walter Sickert (artist), Seymour Hicks (actor), Jeffery Farnol (writer), Sidney Dark (journalist), Duff Cooper (politician), Sir Alfred Fripp (Royal surgeon), Bertram Mills (circus owner) and Curtis Moffat (photographer).
“ ‘Our great and gallant little sportsman’ were the words in which Lord Decies referred to one of the most striking personalities of the day at the dinner given in his honour at the Piccadilly Hotel last week. The silver salver presented to Harry Preston had the signatures of almost all the celebrities in the land, and in the centre was that of HRH the Prince of Wales“.
Harry described the night as one of the most moving experiences of his life. “I cannot tell you how my knees shook as I came into the Piccadilly Hotel that night, and found myself in your midst“.
But it was Harry’s wife whose words that evening made him blush…”I am especially happy tonight, because for once I know where Harry is“.
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