Footnotes

Known for their daring races in the iconic Bentley nicknamed "Old Mother Gun", Barnato the South African Diamond mining heir and international Playboy would co-drive with Bernard Rubin, the Australian Pearl and Opal mining millionaire. Barnato was to win Le Mans for three consecutive years before retiring from racing in 1930. A great deal of Barnato's fortune went to keeping Bentley afloat after he became chairman in 1925; Despite having owned the Bentley Company for two years, it wasn't until 1928 that Woolf became a fully-fledged part of the group of rich amateur drivers known as the Bentley Boys, but it wasn't long before he was recognised as their principal Member. Whilst they had a reputation for the highest living, they were also fully committed to their racing, and Barnato in particular achieved spectacular success. The Company, with the backing of Barnato's millions, embarked on a packed racing programme. Out of five major races entered this year, Bentleys acquitted themselves well, with a 1st at Le Mans the best result of these, when Barnato & Bernard Rubin drove the prototype 4½ litre, 'Mother Gun', to a third 24 hour victory for Bentley.Le Mans in June of 1928 saw three 4 ½ litre Bentleys on the starting line. The two new 'bobtail' cars of Clement & Benjafield (No.2) and Birkin and Chassagne (No.3). 'Old Mother Gun' (No.4) of Barnato and Rubin made up the trio.
A terrific pace was set during the early part of the race with a top lap speed of 76.2 mph being set by Clement. Car No.3 retired owing to Birkin going too fast & trying to reach the pits with a flat tyre. He did not make it and had to run to the pits where his co driver, the 47 year old Jean Chassagne, putting a jack under each arm, commented: "Maintenant, c'est a moi" ran the three miles, jacked up the car, changed the wheel, jumped in and was back in the race. Unfortunately, 3 hours had been lost.
Clement later retired with a cracked chassis frame which had disconnected the water hose and drained the radiator. Metal fatigue had been the cause of the chassis breakdown. Continual alternating shocks caused by unevenness meant that it was only a question of time before the other two cars went the same way.
The frame of No.4 , 'Old Mother Gun', which led the race, broke with only 15 miles of the race remaining. The car slowed to 70 mph. On the very last lap of the race the top water hose pulled out, Barnato timing it perfectly to cross the line just after 4pm winning the race just ahead of the 2nd placed Stutz.

Charles Wakefield (1859-1941)
Charles Cheers Wakefield was born in Liverpool in December 1859, the son of John Wakefield, a Customs official, and his wife Margaret, née Cheers. After schooling at the Liverpool Institute, he began working for an oil-broker, and travelled extensively around the world. He started his own firm, C.C.Wakefield & Co., dealing in lubricating oils and appliances. At a time when the petrol engine was still in its infancy, Wakefield specialised in lubricants for locomotives and steam engines. But he also had the foresight to plan for a rapid expansion of the automobile market. The brand name of his products, Castrol, became known around the globe. The name was chosen because early motor lubricants contained a considerable proportion of castor oil.
As a result of the world-wide success of the business, Wakefield opened a head office in Cannon Street in the City of London . He became a zealous worker for the City, and an enthusiast for its traditions. He was elected to the Court of Common Council in 1904, and served as a sheriff in 1907-08, being knighted in the letter year. He became an alderman in 1908, and was Lord Mayor in 1915-16. He took an energetic part in the recruitment drives for the forces during the First World War, and in 1916 paid visits to the Western Front, and to the Grand Fleet in Scapa Flow . He was made a baronet in 1916, and was awarded the CBE in 1919.
The continuing international success of Castrol lubricants allowed Wakefield to pursue many interests, and to become a ready benefactor to daring pioneers. He was interested in the growth of aviation; he financed Sir Alan Cobham's return flight to Australia in 1926, and gave funds for Amy Johnson's flight to Australia in 1930, the first solo flight from Britain to Australia by a woman. Motor sport was also close to his heart, as well as being linked to his business. He supported Sir Henry Segrave's speed trials at Daytona and Miami , and presented the Wakefield Gold Trophy for the world land speed record.
He also became a ready benefactor to London and Londoners. He served at various times as Master of the Haberdashers', the Cordwainers', the Gardeners' and the Spectacle Makers' Companies, and was especially proud to be the first member of the Corporation to be made an honorary Freeman of the City. He was a generous President of the Bethlem Royal Hospital , and a governor of St Thomas 's and Bart's Hospitals. In 1937, together with the Rev Tubby Clayton, he set up the Wakefield Trust to help All Hallows by the Tower, Toc H, and good causes in the East End , and the Trust continues to bear his name.
In 1930, he was raised to the peerage as Baron Wakefield of Hythe. He was made a Viscount, also of Hythe, in 1934. He remained active in business until a month before his death in January 1941.
At his funeral, snow was falling, and Tubby Clayton described the scene as "each flake a 'Thank You' from a London child".

Silver Studio, Hammersmith, London
General design studio established in 1880 by Arthur Silver (1853-96). These studios provided Liberty & Co with textile designs, bronze, pewter, silver and jewellery, and many designs for Cymric ware. Later, Arthur's eldest son Reginald 'Rex' Silver directed the practice, at first with his brother Harry and then by himself. After Arthur Silver's early death, it was continued by Harry Napper until Rex came of age.

This rare piece of racing history passed to the family of Rubin, in New South Wales, shortly after his death in a plane crash in 1933 and was then given to his old friend Charles 'Cheers' Wakefield.

Note: Hugh Locke King died in 1926. The trophy was commissioned by his wife Ethel Locke King and presented posthumously in 1928.