SA Union: Railways: Amalgamated Society of Running Staff
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Form:
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Circular with attached loop.
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By:
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? |
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Date:
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c1916 |
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Ref:
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Laidlaw: 0178a;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 23.5 mm | Silver | 5.6 gm | $24 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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Steam engine with coaches emerging from a railway tunnel with a signal on the right. On a band, Legend above: “A ∙ S ∙ R ∙ S” and below between stops: “S ∙ AFRICA”.
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Reverse:
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Clasped hands across surrounded by a scroll: “UNITED TO HELP EACH OTHER”.
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Notes:
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This is a membership badge of the Amalgamated Society of Running Staff of South Africa. The term “running staff” was the name the railways gave to engine drives and stokers.
The South African Railways and Harbours was established in 1916, and formed out of the Cape Government Railways, the Natal Government Railways, the Cape Town Harbour Board, the Port Elizabeth Harbour Board, the East London Harbour Board and the Central South African Railways. The Central South African Railways administered the railway system in the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State, and replaced the Imperial Military Railways which ran the system during the latter stages of the Boer War.
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