A Gonville & Caius College plate, taken by a student over a century ago, has made its way home.

Although students have been known to ‘pinch’ items of crockery and cutlery from College meals as souvenirs, this plate, decorated with a view of Caius Court on its front and the imprint “CAIUS COLL. KITCHENS” on its back, has a longer and more touching history than most.

It was returned by Yvonne Browne, aged 85, who received it in her twenties from Ruth Wimbush, widow of Caius alumnus and First World War veteran Gordon Stewart Wimbush (Law and History 1908). It is thought Gordon took the plate during his time as a student at Caius.

The Wimbushes were the next-door neighbours of Yvonne’s family in Coventry, where she was born in 1940 and spent her early years.

Yvonne recalls her close connection with Gordon and Ruth, eventually leading to her receipt of the plate.

“They were the grandparents I never had (all mine had died before I was born) as well as the portal to another age, the key to a way of life now defunct but excitingly brought to life in the many anecdotes and family stories they used to tell,” Yvonne says.

“I know Gordon would have been happy for me to have it, as I had been like a daughter to them. I look back with gratitude, as well as fondness, for the opportunity to have been in touch with these wonderful people, Edwardians to the core, with their kindness, gentle manners and refined ways.

“I gladly return the plate to its proper home in their memory.”

The plate has been handed over to the Caius Archive, where it will remain as a testament to what College Archivist James Cox calls “a fabulous story”.

Gordon and Ruth Wimbush