Medallion find is set for museum (From Thurrock Gazette)
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Medallion find is set for museum
7:20am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News
David Dalton with the medallion
A MAN has found a 111-year-old medallion under the floorboards of his home.
David Dalton, of Elm Road, Little Thurrock, found the medallion, embossed with images of sporting figures and the words “Children of Grays” while doing some DIY on his floorboards.
After taking the medallion to Thurrock Museum and with the help of volunteers there, who scoured back through the archives of the Gazette, Mr Dalton learned the medallions had been given out following a special sports day on June 26, 1901.
An issue of the Grays and Tilbury Gazette from that week reported on the event, which took place at the Bridge Road Recreation Ground, which later became the home of Grays Athletic FC.
More than 2,000 children attended the event, with schools closed for the day as many activities were put on for the youngsters, including races. The event was organised by Grays School Boards in co-operation with a man called Mr Wall.
It is thought that medallion was one of the prizes handed out to an event winner.
Jonathan Catton, Thurrock’s Heritage and Museum officer, said: “A lot of the fun to local history is tracking down and linking artifacts to the real life story they tell.
“By trawling through the old Grays & Tilbury Gazette you can find a wealth of social history to Thurrock.
“This is another example of local business. “Mr Wall, I believe, operated a business in the Globe works and working with the local government he was able to support the youth of the district through sports.”
Mr Dalton was delighted to find the medal and has donated it to Thurrock Museum, where it will be on display as part of a souvenir exhibition in November.
The exhibition will illustrate 100 years of producing local Thurrock souvenirs including postcards, ceramics, booklets and artifacts like the recently donated medallion.
Mr Catton added: “The exhibition is to show that souvenirs are one way of promoting and being proud of Thurrock as we have been doing it for some time.”
