SOUVENIR, THE WILLOWS, WINDSOR. Bomanji Dhnrjibhoy.

Folio Album, [28 x 38 cm], 12 leaves mounted on guards, each with a mounted photographs [22 x 29 cm] blind stamped 'Russell & Sons, Windsor'; original black half roan, upper cover lettered in gilt.


Unique souvenir photo album recording an event held at the home of the British Indian Parsi shipping magnate, socialite and philanthropist, Dhunjibhoy Bomanji (1862-1937), when he gave £5,000 towards the building of a new Comrades of the Great War Club at Windsor. Allied to this gift was a lunch given by Bonamji and his wife for their guests Princess Alice, Earl Haig, Earl of Athlone etc. Also for the occasion there were invited the 'permanently disabled men' and the widows and orphans of the men killed in the Great War who lived in the Windsor district for which was arranged a tea combined with some philanthropy.

There would have been many such fund raisers after the war but few officially recorded so lavishly, and fewer still recording an event involving British Asians. The photographs record:- 1) the house decked out in suitable patriotic flags, 2) the 1st Life Guards band who played on the day 3) & 4) two views of the dinning room set for lunch 5) the guests seated after partaking of dessert 6) a march past of the orphans 7) the disabled being pushed past in wheelchairs 8) other disable serviceman 9) Earl Haig giving a speech to the assembled visitors 10) the presentation by Bomanji to Princes Alice, who looks very happy clutching a cheque in her hand, 11) Earl Haig talking to a disabled serviceman in a wheelchair; 12) a group portrait of the principal guests in the garden. A the event a tea was also given after which Mrs. Bomanji distributed Treasury note to the value of £300 for £1 to all the disabled ex-service men present, 10s. to widows and half-crowns [2s 6d] to each of the orphans - perhaps this was thought too prying to record with a photograph.

The photographers, Russell & Son, were called on the record the event, being notable for portraits of royalty and politicians with branches in London, Windsor, Chichester and elsewhere.

Bomanji gave liberally towards veterans of WWI and on his death it was probably expected that he would have left yet more money, however he decided stated in his will that as he had given so generouly in life he would there not need to on his death.