Medals
"Worshipful Company of Distillers Livery" Silver Medal
April 21, 1955-Dated, British Distiller's Silver Medal in Silver Bezel with Loop at top attached to light blue Silk Ribbon for, "Walter John Pickard", Extremely Fine.
This rare impressively designed early London Organization's solid Silver 2" diameter, Award Medal is by the "Worshipful Company of Distillers Livery", a fraternal organization associated with the English distilling companies, featuring the company "Coat of Arms" Seal on the front, along with its motto "Drop as Rain, Distill as Dew." The Worshipful Company of Distillers' is a Livery Company of the City of London, by Royal Charter granted in 1638. The reverse is inscribed with the name and date, "Walter John Pickard - April 21, 1955." hand-engraved on this much earlier made medal blank. Engraver's hallmarks seen on the engraved reverse. Attached to the original light blue ribbon. Pickard was group captain in the RAF during World War II and was responsible for several V.I.P. flights, most notably transporting Churchill and Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference.
"Worshipful Company of Distillers Livery" - Company coat of arms:
The Distillers' Company's arms were officially granted on March 18, 1639.
Official blazon (description):
Arms: Azure, a fesse wavy of water argent between in chief a sun or drawing up a cloud argent distilling drops of water proper and in base a distillatory double-armed or with two worms and bolt receivers argent.
Crest: On a wreath argent and azure, A garb of barley or wreathed about with a vine branch vert bearing grapes proper. Mantled gules, doubled argent.
Motto: Drop as rain, distil as dew.
Explanation:
Arms: The arms (i.e. the area within the shield) consist of the sun, with a cloud distilling drops of rain above a double armed still with two worms and receivers.
Crest: The crest (which sits above the helmet) consists of a barley "garb" wreathed by a vine branch bearing grapes.