Dame of Sark's mobility carriage to be auctioned

Dame Sibyl refused to evacuate Sark during the German Occupation

A battery-operated mobility carriage owned by the Dame of Sark is up for auction.

The vehicle was owned by Dame Sibyl Hathaway, who refused to evacuate Sark during German Occupation and persuaded other residents to remain as well.

The auction house listing said the carriage was one of three known examples of its kind and had spent time in Guernsey's former motor museum and in private collections after Dame Sibyl's death in 1974.

Christopher Beaumont, her great-grandson and current Seigneur of Sark, said he would not be bidding but he would like to see it displayed in the bailiwick.

The auction house listing said the carriage was one of three known examples of its kind

The auction runs until Sunday and has a guide price of between £3,000 and £4,000.

Mr Beaumont said: "Many people have asked me if I'm going to bid for it, but Sibyl wasn't very sentimental about objects, she wouldn't have held any sentimentality for it.

"I would like it to return to Sark, but I don't mind where it goes, it would be nice if it was restored and put on display."

Significant role

Dame Sibyl served as the Dame of Sark from 1927 until her death in 1974, overseeing the island for 47 years during the reigns of four British monarchs.

Following the war, she continued to promote the island, playing a significant role in bolstering its tourism industry.

The listing states the carriage was bought by collector Michael Paint after her death and displayed in the motor museum in the Charroterie during the 1970s.

It was later loaned to the Guernsey Museum in 1982, where it remained until it was sold following the death of Mr Paint.