£688
Silver & Objets de Vertu | 684
Auction: 9 March 2022 at 10:00 GMT
Hammond, Creake & Co, Sheffield 1893, of oval outline, inset to the centre with an oval plaque with engraved presentation inscription, '...to Mr. J. J. MURRAY/ ...by/ A FEW FRIENDS AND EMPLOYEES/ OF THE/ NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY/ MARCH 1894', with a raised gallery border with ball spacers, the handles of scroll form, raised on four silver ball feet
John James Murray was born in Shildon in County Durham in 1850. By the 1890s Murray was employed at Darlington Railway Works working in various posts and eventually settled in South Shields as their locomotive Department Engineer.
The railway industry boom of the 1840s connected British towns, and between 1845-1900 around £3 billion was spent on building the railways for business development as well as travel pursuits. It is clear to see that Murray's contributions to the railway industry were well received and rewarded with this tray. During the First World War, Murray's regiment merged with the Australian Corps and was presented a Military Cross for his efforts.