Roger Monk Esq

Roger Monk was a successful 19th century businessman in London, who was in 1826 Master of the Tallow Chandlers' Company. He purchased a commission first with the Gentlemen-at-Arms, and then in the Body Guard where be became Exon in 1805, an appointment he held until his death in 1831.  He was extremely proud of his position as an Officer, and had a portrait painted of himself in the magnificent Tudor-style uniform (left) that was worn by the officers of the Guard for the Coronation of George IV in 1821. He must have been wealthy, for that uniform cost the then very large sum of £300; but he was also very generous and made several bequests to charities.  Among others he left two annuities of £20 a year, one to the Gentlemen-at-Arms and one to the Yeomen of the Guard, as recorded in their Order Book under 19 September 1837.

Roger Monk, Esquire, formerly an Exon of the Yeomen of the Guard, and who died in the month of October 1831, by his will dated 10th April 1828, gave the residue of his estate and effects to the Tallow Chandler's Company of the City of London, subject to the payment by them and their successors of (amongst other things) an annuity of £20 per annum, to be paid to the two senior Ushers of the Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard for ever, towards the expense of a dinner annually in honour of His Majesty's birthday.

This bequest continues today and is much appreciated, although the annuity now goes little further than paying for the port at the dinner, which is held every year.  It's very properly called the Roger Monk Dinner, and is attended by all members of the Body Guard, past and present; after the Loyal Toast has been drunk, glasses are raised to the memory of The Officers Roger Monk.  The Gentlemen-at-Arms also drink a toast to Roger Monk at their dinner, in appreciation of his bequest to them.

A portrait of Roger Monk hangs in St James' Palace but over the years it's become discoloured and I only had a copy of the original from Col Reginald Hennell's book. The original painting by W Pickersgill, RA hangs in the hall of the Tallow Chandlers’ Company, and by the courtesy of the their archivist I have been blessed with a copy (above). The original is a splendid picture, and does not suffer by comparison with the two fine portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller of William III, and Queen Mary, which hang by the side of Roger Monk. On a tablet beneath the portrait in the Guard-room at St James’s Palace is the following inscription:-