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Cyril Leonard Cresswell

(1890-1974), Chaplain of The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy

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Cyril Leonard Cresswell, by Walter Bird - NPG x166832

Cyril Leonard Cresswell

by Walter Bird
bromide print, June 1959
NPG x166832

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Michael Gamble

27 September 2018, 15:31

He was the Chaplain to the Kings Chapel of the Savoy when I was a Chorister there from 1949 to 1951. The Organist at that time was Dr. H Bromley-Derry who was also the head of The London College of Music. The Choir was provided by The London Choir School of Bexley, Kent and consisted of boys only. Once a year we were involved in the Beating of the Bounds with the Revd. Cyril Cresswell officiating and one of the interesting points - or Bounds - was in the basement of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. After the 'Beating of the Bounds' we would take the youngest Chorister and 'bump' him on the grass outside the Chapel. Our Choral Uniform was the standard red Cassock with Ruff and Surplice which was different in that it was an open Surplice at the front, joined at the neck by two button holes through which we had to attach a red crucifix with two attached metal buttons. We had, to complete our Choral Uniform, black mortar-boards with red tassels. The Chapel Organ at that time was a Hammond Organ and two boys were instructed in how to turn it on - without blowing up the speakers! Many were the upper- class weddings at which we sung - again officiated by Mr. Cresswell and often attended by Royalty.