The LNER Encyclopedia

I’ve recently become interested in the 5 Garter Blue A4s built specifically for the new Coronation service in 1937 no’s. 4488-4492 inclusive.
Do we know if all 5 were named by their respective countries’ High Commissioners on the same single occasion at Kings Cross station in June 1937, or as I’m guessing 3 (4488. 4490. 4492) and then 2 at a different time (4489. 4491)?
Thanks in advance as always for any clues and info
Eric

'The LNER in Focus' by the late John Crawley (W D Wharton, 2001) has a photograph of Nos 4488, 4490 and 4492 at King's Cross on Monday 28 June 1937 awaiting the arrival of of the High Commissioners of their countries (which explains, no doubt, the flags over the nameplates). This, and O S Nock's book on Gresley Pacifics say that 4489 was named at King's Cross by the Canadian High Commissioner on Tuesday 15 June 1937. 4491 - I'm still looking.

D

I have never seen any date for naming 4491.

I have just done a search for who was the Australian High Comissioner at the time - it was Stanley Bruce https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Bruce - no Monty Python jokes please...

It would appear that he was heavily involved in the League of Nations at the time so maybe was not available.
That would suggest that perhaps the First Secretary did the naming or more likely the ceremony never happened.

(The First Secretary is the High Comissioners deputy and also the person in charge of business affairs)

Alan

The naming ceremony was by his wife, Sheila.