I noticed this plaque built into the perimeter wall of the old Victoria Barracks in East Cowes
This plaque was erected in 2009 in memory of Freddie Attrill.
One day in 1852, young Freddie Attrill was gathering shell-fish on Osborne beach when another boy came along, told him to clear off and kicked his bucket flying. Indignant, Freddie gave him a thump - only to be told by shocked attendants that he has just hit Albert Edward, Queen Victoria's eldest son and heir to the throne. The Prince hurried home to Osborne House, and soon a nervous Fred was summoned there to answer Queen Victoria in person.
The Queen said, however, that her son's behaviour had been quite wrong. She praised Freddie for standing up for his rights and, some say, gave him several guineas in recognition.
Years later, Mr Attrill commemorated the incident by decorating his house in East Cowes with sea shells. Until the 1970s both house and garden were quite a tourist attraction.
Freddie the son of James and Elizabeth Attrill was born in Arreton on the Isle Of Wight in 1839. In 1851 he was living in East Cowes on Church Road where he recorded as being a Scholar. In 1861 he is noted as working as a Seaman and between 1871 and 1901 a General Labourer. By 1911 he is noted as being a jobbing gardener. Freddie died in 1926 aged 88.
Photographed 30 October 2014.
This plaque was erected in 2009 in memory of Freddie Attrill.
One day in 1852, young Freddie Attrill was gathering shell-fish on Osborne beach when another boy came along, told him to clear off and kicked his bucket flying. Indignant, Freddie gave him a thump - only to be told by shocked attendants that he has just hit Albert Edward, Queen Victoria's eldest son and heir to the throne. The Prince hurried home to Osborne House, and soon a nervous Fred was summoned there to answer Queen Victoria in person.
The Queen said, however, that her son's behaviour had been quite wrong. She praised Freddie for standing up for his rights and, some say, gave him several guineas in recognition.
Years later, Mr Attrill commemorated the incident by decorating his house in East Cowes with sea shells. Until the 1970s both house and garden were quite a tourist attraction.
Freddie the son of James and Elizabeth Attrill was born in Arreton on the Isle Of Wight in 1839. In 1851 he was living in East Cowes on Church Road where he recorded as being a Scholar. In 1861 he is noted as working as a Seaman and between 1871 and 1901 a General Labourer. By 1911 he is noted as being a jobbing gardener. Freddie died in 1926 aged 88.
Photographed 30 October 2014.
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