| Author |
 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,316 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2403 Posts |
I know this has no numismatic value, but I did trade a couple inexpensive coins for it. Showed this last night in another thread. I am hoping someone from the UK might be able to help out on this one. 1st off here is the Medal  I have tried to research the 1954 London District Motorcycle Trials to no avail. If anyone in the UK can find out if the London District Motorcycle Club still exists, that would be great. I can't find a website or any info for this particular club. I am hoping if I can find the club maybe they will have a record of the results of this event. My ultimate goal for this medal is to find out a little about who may have won it in 1954. Thanks in advance for any info anyone can provide. Mont Edited by MontCollector
12/08/2017 6:45 pm
|
|
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
My best wishes for your inquiry. Although I can't shed light on your research I do hope you are able to follow the trail to that answer.
Cool item to return to a family.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Try London, Ontario, Canada.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2403 Posts |
I emailed a couple of motorcycle clubs in the UK asking for info on this medal. I got a reply back today from one of the. It seems my email may have been forwarded several times finally landing in the inbox of possibly the company who originally made it. Here is what they said Quote:
The medal in question is very similar to Shooting medals that I have supplied to London District, a division of the Army and Head Quartered in Whitehall. The Obverse with the Crown and Sword is the standard design for London District with the reverse showing the activity. The medal was probably struck by Phillips of Aldershot, a company that was acquired by my Father-in-law when the Phillips brothers retired. The medal has been personalised with the inscription being engraved, probably on a Taylor-Hobson or Alexander Engraving Machine. The chances of locating the original winner are very slim.
Phillips also made the original finishers medal for the Sunbeam Pioneer Run off which I have a sample. This is a lot more info than I had before. |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
How great is that? Very nice of someone to take the time and interest in your token.
Considering how many cities and towns use the name 'London', I think you got an answer pretty fast.
It's a lovely token and all the better now that you have some of the history to go with it.
Enjoy! and thanks for reporting back!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2403 Posts |
Thanks Buddy!
I have since found the London Districts Army Unit's Facebook page. I sent them a message with the photo above. They got back to me within a couple of hours and confirmed it was from their unit, but said that all records are sent to their National Archives after 10 years. So tracking down who actually won it is a near impossibility.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
I don't know anything about the British National Archives.... but it couldn't hurt to ask. They might just look it up for you.....  It seems a shame that wasn't kept by a family member. But then maybe the original owner had lots of medals and trophies. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
The overall appearance of the rider is that of a British army despatch rider from shortly after ww2.
The jacket he is wearing has open collar and lapels similar to a modern suit, and box pleats on the breast pockets, ( the small vertical lines ). It is difficult to be certain with a small artists impression, but this looks like the 1949 pattern "battledress blouse" ( jacket ). Before 1947 British army OR's had closed collars, and no visible ties or shirts. In 1947 a pattern was issued with open quite wide lapels, and then in 1949 a pattern with narrower lapels like this was issued.
( OR's = other ranks, US terminology would be enlisted men )
Edited by Anaximander
01/03/2018 2:48 pm
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Anaximander, I was delighted to read your post. The wealth of knowledge in this community never ceases to amaze me. I just love reading about all these little details of history -- the stuff that doesn't often, if ever, show up in books. Great contribution.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2403 Posts |
Wow Anaximander...thanks for the info. Quote:
Before 1947 British army OR's had closed collars, and no visible ties or shirts. In 1947 a pattern was issued with open quite wide lapels, and then in 1949 a pattern with narrower lapels like this was issued. How long did they use the pattern from 1949? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
The army used it until the early 60's. The RAF used it a bit longer ( from rusty personal memory of my dad ) and cadet forces were still using it in the late 70's.
|
| |
Replies: 10 / Views: 1,316 |
|
Posted 12/08/2017 8:49 pm
