Photo: Peter Graham

Photo: Peter Graham

Photo: Peter Graham

Photo: Peter Graham

This is a rather special Tribute Medal awarded from the Safely Home Fund of Low Westwood, Co. Durham, in 1919, to Sapper E. Harrison, Royal Engineers.

Low Westwood is a former mining village near to Hamsterley Colliery, part of the Durham Coalfield. A very small village which lost a lot of its sons in both the wars as can be seen from the War Memorial.

I was able to identify the recipient from the initials engraved on the front of the medal as Sapper E. Harrison, Royal Engineers (possibly Army no. 113706, this could be confirmed by further research). His safe return from the conflict was recognised by the award of this medal.

The medal is in 9ct gold. It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1919, measures 4cms, by 2.5cms and weighs 6.1g. Maker Fattorini & Co.

A fabulous reminder of the days when our men responded to the call to arms and, in this case returned safely to his family.