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Location
Columbine Road, East Cowes, Isle of Wight Description A stone carving, and plaque, in memory of Freddie Attrill, erected in 2009. |
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Memorial
Photographs : courtesy of Antony Barton |
Inscription
The Shell House of East Cowes 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 on Cambridge Road (just off the East Cowes esplanade) with sea shells. Until the 1970s both house and garden were quite a tourist attraction. Most of the decoration has now gone, but even today one wall shows a sailing ship ploughing through the waves - all done in shells. Sculptor : Glyn Roberts For more information, Please contact the East Cowes Heritage Centre. Further Information
Frederick James Attrill was born in 1839 in Arreton, the son of James and Elizabeth Attrill. In the Census returns we find him at : See The Shell House - photographs on Flickr 
The Shell House today |