3-028-188 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Belgian Gardes Civiques at Wimbledon Camp [south-west London]: "The Vin d'Honneur", 1871. 'About 130 of the Belgian Garde Civique, who have taken part in the competitions,...were received with great heartiness...On their arrival in camp they were warmly greeted by the volunteers and visitors...Colonel Gourley, M.P.,...expressed a hope that their competition with English volunteers would lead to mutual improvement, and that their presence in this country would lead to closer relations in every respect between the two nations. He thanked them for their conduct during the recent war...Colonel Stoefs...observed that England had long been the friend of Belgium...Major-General Pollock expressed a hope that the union which had long existed between England and Belgium might last for ever. After three cheers had been given for her Majesty and for the King and Queen of the Belgians, the "loving cup" was handed round, and the visitors entered their tent for lunch'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.