This napkin holder belonged to Roy Yin’s mother, Lydia Florence Bowyer. Roy Bowyer-Yin was born in Singapore on 7 October 1910 to a Chinese father, Dr. Yin Suat Chuan and, an English mother, Lydia Florence Bowyer. Roy studied in Kings College, Cambridge, graduating in 1933. In 1933 he was ordained into the priesthood in Kings College Chapel, the first ordination to be held in the College. He served as chaplain of King’s College Cambridge, then Chaplain at Hurstpierpoint College in Sussex. He subsequently became Chaplain and Master of the Choir at St Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in Sri Lanka, introducing Anglican choral music to the College.In 1962, he moved to Kuala Lumpur, then to Singapore where he taught in the University of Malaya. He served as a vicar at St Hilda’s Church in Katong from 1972-1975, and resident assistant priest (1974-1980), Canon (1980-1982) and Canon Precentor (1982-1984) at St Andrew’s Cathedral. This napkin ring is made of silver, ornamented with decorative floral scrolls. Hallmarks indicate where and when it was made, and act as an assurance of the purity of the silver. The Lion passant highlights the purity of the sterling silver, and the anchor indicates that it was made in Birmingham. The 'H M' may stand for the initials of the silversmith. The ‘c’ indicates when it was made – this one probably in 1902.
