Woolwich Polytechnic, Bloomfield Road, June 1927

Scanned as five over lapping sections.  My uncle John Adam Mackie is in the first picture.  Follow the ballpoint line down from the top of the picture.

The pictures have been reduced to fit.  You can download a zip with full-size copies of these and the County School pictures here http://www.mediafire.com/download/09gq535aw48i6tc/Woolwich_schools.zip

Bert's Gongs - part one

As far as I know, Albert Charles Mackie never undertook military service. We know he was with the Ministry of Supply in Chislehurst during WWII and it is possible he was in a similar civilian occupation during WWI. But he does have some medals. Those illustrated here were for gymnastic achievements - something that has certainly not continued in my side of the family. Neither my father nor I ever had much interest in sport.

The motto "Vis Unita Fortior" translates as "United Strength is Stronger". The later medal has the holder's name and year on the reverse. It is also inscribed INTER-POLYTECHNIC DRILL COMPETITION around the rim.

Inside the lid is endorsed the makers details:

P. VAUGHTON & SONS

GOTHIC WORKS

BIRMINGHAM

Vaughton was a well known maker of medals and badges. The Gothic Works, which still stands, is at 95 Livery Street. For more about Vaughton, see

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drewfield/3598812962/

Photo of the frontage

http://www.jewelleryquarter.net/about/sub-page/historic-trails/buildings-trail/

Tells us that the FA Cup was made here

http://www.badgecollectorscircle.co.uk/manufacturers.htm

A collectors website

Here is a detail from the 1902 medal. It shows the letters V&S and VAUGHTON