‘Every so often, a piece turns up that leads to a fascinating or remarkable story once I start to do the research' My latest addition to the medal collection comes courtesy of an online auction; and it was a name I recognised.
It was awarded to Ruth Ezra (later Mrs. Ruth Sawyer) by the Foreign Bird League (FBL), where Ruth was a Patron and had been made an Honorary Life Member in recognition of her contributions to the organization. Ruth also served as President of the Avicultural Society for a number of years and remained an active member until shortly before her death on 21 August 2007, aged 88.
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| Ruth Ezra (1919–2007) was captured as a young girl in this 1928 portrait by Sir Oswald Birley. Birley was known as the favourite artist of the Ezra family and also painted Ruth’s mother, Muriel, and her elder sister, Aline. |
She was the youngest daughter of Alfred Ezra, OBE, a renowned aviculturist who lived at Foxwarren Park, an estate famous for its magnificent collection of rare birds and animals. Ruth inherited her father’s passion for aviculture and, together with her husband, Raymond Sawyer, became a well-known breeder of rare birds at their home, Chestnut Lodge, in Cobham, Surrey; only about 23 minutes from where I live. I was lucky enough to visit once, as a young zoo keeper, when I accompanied our curator, and I still remember it vividly.
It’s discoveries like this that make collecting so interesting, each medal not just a piece of metal, but often a doorway into a story of passion, dedication, and history.
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