SA Union: First World War: Armistice Day Motor Cycle Sports
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Form:
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Shield shaped with attached loop for a ring
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By:
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Caney's Jeweler, Durban |
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Date:
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1918 |
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Ref:
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Laidlaw: 1129;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 25.8 mm | Silver (husband) | 9.7 gm | $25 | | 25.8 mm | Silver (wife) | 9.6 gm | $25 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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Ornaments around a central medallion. On the medallion, coat of arms of Durban with motto: "DEBILE PRINCIPIUM MELIOR FORTUNA SEQUITUR".
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Reverse:
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Engraved across: "Armistice Sports / 12.11.18 / Musical Chairs / Motor Cycles / & Sidecars / Mr. (on first medal) Mrs. (on second medal) ZURCHER". Stamped below: "STG. SILVER" and below that : "CANEY".
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Notes:
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Fritz Zurcher was a pioneer of motor cycle racing in South Africa. Towards the end of WW1, Zurcher married Marjorie Merrin who rode with him in sidecar events.
'Musical Chairs' was a fun game for motor cycles and sidecars. At the time it was a popular track event. Whenever the music stopped, the women in the sidecars would jump out and race to the middle to collect an ever decreasing number of objects. The elimination game finished with one object remaining, retrieved by the winner.
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