NUR medal - date?

[annieoburns]

We  have a NUR or National Union of Railwaymen medal or more accurately described as a 'fob medallion'.  It is of silver and enamel design with decoration on both sides, main colours red, blue and white.  There are two menfolk of railway background, one died in 1907 and the other in 1919... just wondering who it might have belonged to?

[annieoburns]

I will try and attach a photo but I am not very good at this...

[john_w]

it is a WW1 service badge probably issued in 1918. It should have full details on the back, if not then it should at least have hallmarks which would enable you to date it.

have alook at this one.


http://sallysbadges.com/shop/viewphoto.php?x=1
http://sallysbadges.com/shop/viewphoto.php?x=0
http://sallysbadges.com/shop/shop.php?c=34

[annieoburns]

John, thank you for that, most interesting!  I do not think I have checked out war record of this chap.  He was an engine driver in Dublin in 1911 census and died there  in 1919 in his late 30's of natural causes.

Meanwhile I cannot see any hallmark on it so perhaps not silver? just silver looking!  I have heard of silver ones being presented for 30 years service which would have pointed to the older man (father of younger).   The reverse is enamalled with logo 'workers of the world unite" and NUR on a silver flag over a pair of hands in a handshake....

[Redroger]

It might be worthwhile contacting the RMT Union successor to NUR at their Euston Road HQ to see if they have any record of what was awarded to whom.

[annieoburns]

Thanks for that, never realised the name change

Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT)

I don't suppose they have a museum?  Add to my list of places to visit when in London!

Anne

[Redroger]

No museum to my knowledge, but I would imagine that if these medals were awarded from the national HQ archival records might survive. Many branches of the NUR and other Trade Unions have donated their old records to the local archive service. So if you know the area of Dublin this might be a possibility. However, as both died prior to 1922 there may be difficulties over the survival of any records in Ireland.

[john_w]

This one is a puzzle. My family railway history goes back to Brunel and the Atmospheric Railway and I have never seen that combination before. The front has the 1918 - 1919 medal design and the rear has the standard NUR badge which my father was still wearing on his uniform in the 1970's.

[Redroger]

On reflection I thought there was something strange about the side of the medallion with the engine on it, now it dawns. This side of the badge is very like the badge of the footplate union ASLE&F, so I wonder what exactly happened? My knowledge of Irish Rail Trade Union history is frankly minimal, but I would still suggest an approach to the RMT Union, and also now to ASLE&F since that side of the badge looks more like their's than anything issued by the NUR.