Description: The men are wearing sashes which bear the insignia of two crossed flags (which look like a Union Jack and the Three Lion Ensign), and the motif of a heart surrounded by an oak wreath. The writing on the sashes says 'Royal Hearts of Oak', and the sashes are held at the bottom by a star. The man seated bottom left has the word 'Steward' above the words 'Royal Hearts of Oak'. The group of men could either have associations with the Royal Navy (because as from Tudor times until the late Victorian period 'Hearts of Oak' became a fond term for 'The Senior Service', due to the ships being made of oak), or alternatively the men could be of a branch of the Hearts of Oak Friendly Society. This is the most likely suggestion because only two of the men are wearing campaign medals, and if the men had naval association, one would expect to see more. (One of the medals of the man on the front row clearly shows the head of King Edward VII so must date the picture to be post 1901). Friendly Societies were founded in the Sixteenth Century as self help groups in which all the members contributed, and in times of trouble ( eg ill health) they could take benefits. They were in many ways the original welfare services, and by the Nineteenth Century more than half of the workforce were members of thousands of small societies. They often wore sashes and regalia like the ones seen here, emulating groups such as the Royal Order of Foresters or the Masons. Perhaps the 'Royal Hearts of Oak' was a Friendly Society which was originally founded to support Royal Navy personnel ? (Please let us know if you can confirm or refute these suggestions.)