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Recollections of War > Records

Souvenir tankard from premiere of 'The Dam Busters' movie

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c. 1955

Overview

Tankard made from hand beaten pewter. It has the Royal Air Force Association badge (featuring an eagle with wings aloft standing on top of the world) to the front, beneath which are engraved the words '"The Dam Busters" Royal Premiere, 16th May, 1955'.
The pewter had dulled over time and being a soft metal, there is some minor distorion and denting.

Historical information

Tankard created for the Royal Premiere of the classic film 'The Dam Busters'. This took place on 16th May 1955 at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, London and was attended by survivors of the raid along with actors from the film including Richard Todd who played 617 Squadron CO Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Alexander Gibson, Guy's father, also attended as did Air Commander Mills (then the new chief of Bomber Command), Lord De L'Isle Dudley - Secretary of Sate for Air, Dr. Barnes Wallis, Lord & Lady Tedder, Air Marshall Sir Robert Saundby and Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret.
It is believed that tankards like this were presented as gifts to invited guests.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00101

Item type

Drinking vessels

Themes

Leisure
Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Pewter (Tin Alloy)

Width

110 mm

Height or length

100 mm

Depth

90 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On front of tankard:

Royal Air Force Association badge
"THE DAM BUSTERS ROYAL PREMIERE
16TH MAY, 1955."

On the base of the tankard:

"ENGLISH PEWTER"

Keywords

Royal Air Force (RAF)

History - Social

Place made

United Kingdom

Year

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Rare or representative

Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Organisation Details
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Other items from Recollections of War

Metal tankard showing motif and inscription

Metal tankard showing motif and inscription

Metal tankard showing handle

Metal tankard showing handle

Close-up of detail on metal tankard

Close-up of detail on metal tankard

Base of tankard showing the words 'English Pewter'

Base of tankard showing the words 'English Pewter'

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