This is a lovely Presentation Clock, given to a gentleman on his retirement from "Trinity House" in 1945. It is in perfect condition, has its original key, and still works well. There is no sign that it has ever been in a smokey environment, so is very clean. We contacted Trinity House to ask for any information about the named gentleman, and received this reply:-

"Major Hunter retired as the Principal [Clerk] of the Lights Department. He was born in 1879 and began as a Boy Clerk with the Corporation in 1896, and subsequently rose through the ranks of Clerks. Our records do not show his military service, unfortunately; as he was 60 years old at the outbreak of WWII, it is unlikely he served during that conflict, but frankly given the number of wars Britain was engaged in during the late 19th century, it is difficult to state precisely where Major Hunter may have served.
 
  The Lights Dept. was responsible for the day to day operation of the lighthouse and lightvessel estate of Trinity House, and the Principal would have been the highest-ranking Clerk."