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Author Topic: GW & Mid Railway Button  (Read 1802 times)

Offline JJen

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GW & Mid Railway Button
« on: Friday 30 June 17 14:17 BST (UK) »
Hi,

Today this button was unearthed in my garden. It would appear to be a button from a Great Western & Midland Railway uniform (GW&Mid). It is 24mm in diameter, not sure if it's made of nickel or brass.

Would any one be able to date the button or able to offer any other information please?

The back of the button is not very clear but it is stamped with Firmin & Sons (possibly Ltd) London.

Wasn't sure which board to post on, therefore could I ask a mod to move it if necessary please?

JJ

Offline McGroger

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 01 July 17 11:07 BST (UK) »
Hi, JJ. A similar badge (but with G. W. R. not G. W. & Mid.) is one sold by a button/badge specialist at this address:

https://www.kellybadges.co.uk

It is described as being a "brass transport uniform button 1904-1934". The site has provision for email enquiries, including attachments. Perhaps a query to them sending an image of your badge may answer your question.

Cheers, Peter.
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Offline jim1

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 01 July 17 12:29 BST (UK) »
An interesting find particularly as there doesn't seem to be anything out there about the GW & Midland Rly.
Early 1860's the GWR took over the W. Midlands Rly. Co. but they became fully absorbed by 1863 so maybe this is from that short period before, however I think Peter's idea is best.
Warks:Ashford;Cadby;Clarke;Clifford;Cooke Copage;Easthope;
Edmonds;Felton;Colledge;Lutwyche;Mander(s);May;Poole;Withers.
Staffs.Edmonds;Addison;Duffield;Webb;Fisher;Archer
Salop:Easthope,Eddowes,Hoorde,Oteley,Vernon,Talbot,De Neville.
Notts.Clarke;Redfearne;Treece.
Som.May;Perriman;Cox
India Kane;Felton;Cadby
London.Haysom.
Lancs.Gay.
Worcs.Coley;Mander;Sawyer.
Kings of Wessex & Scotland
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Online KGarrad

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 01 July 17 12:50 BST (UK) »
Looking at the button, I am not yet convinced that it says "GW & Mid"?
It could be "GM & Mid".

And perhaps not even a railway company? ;D
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)

Offline tonepad

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 01 July 17 14:00 BST (UK) »
The earliest date for a button marked Firmin & Sons Ltd seems to be 1884:

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/button-makers.html#anchora


and the company is still in business today!

http://www.firminhouse.com/international/buttons.htm
Aucock/Aukett~Kent/Sussex, Broadway~Oxfordshire, Danks~Warwickshire, Fenn~Kent/Norfolk, Goatham~Kent, Hunt~Kent, Parker~Middlesex, Perry~Kent, Sellers~Kent/Yorkshire, Sladden~Kent, Wright~Kent/Essex

Offline mazi

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #5 on: Saturday 01 July 17 14:09 BST (UK) »
Any clues here, can't see a match but there are lots to look at

http://www.gloucesterrailwayana.com/buttons.php

Mike

Offline JJen

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #6 on: Saturday 01 July 17 15:18 BST (UK) »
Hello All,

Peter - Thanks for the link I'll send an email to them.

Jim 1 - Glad you found it equally interesting and the dates you found. Before posting on RootsChat I'd tried various sites to see when the GW & Mid Railway was formed and came up with nothing conclusive.

KGarrad - The lettering on the button is definitely GW& Mid, unfortunately the image does not show this as clearly as I'd hoped.

Tonepad - I had hoped that the company Firmin & Sons would hold some clues to the date of the button but as they have been in business for such a considerable amount of time then that's not an option.

Mike - Thanks for the link. There is a button identical to the one found in my garden on their site, albeit theirs is in much better condition!!
http://www.gloucesterrailwayana.com/pic2.php?num=bu3334
'GW&Mid', Great Western & Midland Joint Railway - Severn & Wye Railway, nickel, 24mm

I'll send them an email to see if they can furnish me with any further details.

Many thanks for all the replies it has certainly given me something to go on  :)

JJ

Offline mazi

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #7 on: Saturday 01 July 17 15:46 BST (UK) »
Almost in my back garden this one ;D ;D, you would have thought I ought to have known straight away.
I have a video of the last train on the line before closure.

Part of it still exists.

http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/

Mike

Offline JJen

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Re: GW & Mid Railway Button
« Reply #8 on: Saturday 01 July 17 15:58 BST (UK) »
Mike,

Looks a great place to visit, wonder if they know about buttons  ;D

JJ
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