Silver Tankard Presented to 543 Squadron RAF by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Earl Mountbatten. This presentation was to commemorate the link between HMS Valiant and the new RAF high altitude bomber, the Vickers Valiant.
In 1956 three silver tankards were presented to the Commanding Officers of the first three Valiant squadrons, of which 543 was one. The presentation was made by Admiral the Earl Mountbatten of Burma at Headquarters Bomber Command, the tankards being the gift of the Wardroom Mess of HMS Valiant. The RAF Valiant squadron had further connections with HMS Valiant, as in 1957 they purchased her plaque, carrying the crest of a fighting cock, and the motto “Valiant yet Vigilant”.
The tankard has an earlier Royal Navy inscription, dating to 1923 and presented by Lieutenant Commander W. A. C. Dickson to the Wardroom Mess of HMS Valiant. She had participated in the Battle of Jutland during The Great War. Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, served on HMS Valiant during World War Two.
The tankard has rubbed hallmarks for S W Smith & Co. of Birmingham and probably dates to circa 1920. The tankard has a glass bottom.
In excellent condition with moderate surface wear commensurate with age. The tankard does not leak. There are a couple of minor creases to the top of the handle.
Approximate total cased weight is 740 grams.
Approximate tankard weight is 304 grams.
Approximate tankard capacity is 430 ml.
Approximate case dimensions are 15.5 cm length and width and 10 cm height.
Approximate tankard dimensions are 10.8 cm height and 8.3 cm base diameter.