3-074-754 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Croydon, 1883. 'Royal Alfred Wing, Croydon Hospital; the Arrival at Wellesley House; the Committee; the Mayor; Grace; Dr. Carpenter...the Duke of Edinburgh came...to lay the memorial-stone of the new north wing of the Croydon General Hospital. He was received...by the Mayor of Croydon, Mr. J. Spencer Balfour...There was a procession...to Wellesley House, the residence of the Mayor. The whole route was decorated with Venetian masts, bearing shields and trophies, while flags were suspended across the streets, and handsome triumphal arches, composed of laurels and evergreens, stood at the corners of Station-street and George-street...an address of welcome...was read by the Town Clerk, Mr. C. M. Elborough...[At] the General Hospital...his Royal Highness met the Bishop of Dover, the Vicar of Croydon (Rev. J. M. Braithwaite), Mr. Edridge, chairman, and other members of the Hospital Committee...The Duke then took a silver trowel, and laid the stone in the customary manner. The new building is to be called the Royal Alfred Ward. His Royal Highness was afterwards entertained, with the Archbishop of Canterbury and a large company, at luncheon in the hall of the Whitgift Grammar School'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.