Canada Club Gift

The Canada Club gave a gift of two chairs and two faldstools (kneeling desks) to Westminster Abbey in memory of Canadians who fell in the 1939-1945 War. These were presented for the use of the King and Queen when they attended services and were dedicated at the Dominion Day service on 1st July 1949. The chairs are always used by the Sovereign and consort when they attend Abbey services or by other members of the Royal Family if they are not present. They are placed in the Sacrarium on the south side of the altar or in the south lantern area at a service. When not in use they are kept in St Edward the Confessor's chapel.

Made of Canadian birch, polished and stained with ornament in burnished gold, they were designed by Sebastian Comper. They were executed at the firm of James Walker Ltd in East Acton, London and Horace Purfield was the main carver. The chairs are based on cross-legged Venetian style chairs with the coats of arms of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on the back of the seats in champleve enamel (by Harold Soper). There is a carved maple leaf at the front and lions heads on the ends of the chair arm rests. The faldstools show the arms of Canada.