Length: 18cm (7.1in)
Silver. A George VI model of the rock and outlying man made features mounted on a shaped wooden base. Maker’s mark of Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd, Holborn Viaduct, London. Hallmarked 1937.
A strategically important British possession since its capture in the War of the of the Spanish Succession in 1704, the Gibraltar garrison withstood the Great Siege of 1779-1783 against Spanish and French forces. The Rock later provided a sanctuary for the battle and storm damaged HMS Victory after Trafalgar in 1805. In the 20th century it provided a vital base for anti-submarine forces and for allied convoys. During the Second World War the civilian population was evacuated and the garrison was greatly increased in size. Numerous new tunnels were excavated to create accommodation and to store huge quantities of food, equipment and ammunition. The tunnelling was carried out by four specialised tunnelling companies from the Royal Engineers and the Canadian Army.