Tuesday 12 May 2015

A Prize Possession

It is not often that our family has something really interesting to pass down through the generations, but this pocket watch is one of those few items which I'm sure will continue to be treasured.


It was a school prize awarded to Hubby's grandfather in 1914.  Cartsburn Public School in Greenock was bombed during WW2 and no longer exists.  Funnily enough my own parents went to this school too - none of them won any prizes!


I would imagine he would have been about 14 years old when he won this - the Macknight Crawfurd Prize.  The Macknight Crawfurds were local landowners and benefactors.


Session 1913-1914 - just before WW1 - wonder how many of his classmates survived the war?  How poignant.


We got the watch cleaned and it now works.  We recently passed it on to our son - hopefully it will then pass to his son.  Our son is going to get a chain for it and it will look great when he wears his waistcoat with his kilt at special occasions.


A real prize possession for our family.

Love, Liz

10 comments:

Mac n' Janet said...

It is wonderful when things can be passed down through the family. Do you know what he got it for?

Fee said...

Beautiful! What a lovely thing to have :)

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

It's lovely! We've recently passed down my paternal great great grandfathers watch to my eldest son. Family treasures are the best x

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

So beautiful, and I love the history behind it. It will look handsome with his kilt. xoxo Su

mamasmercantile said...

Liz what a wonderful thing to pass through your family. It really is beautiful, very impressive.

Teresa Kasner said...

What a wonderful family heirloom! Your son is lucky you have given it to him now so he can enjoy it. My husband has a gold pocket watch, but it wasn't passed down to him.. those are the best ones! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Curtise said...

It's a lovely pocket watch, such things are real family treasures (although what an oddly mature prize for a 14 year old!) xxx

Kezzie said...

That is a wonderful family heirloom!x

Robyn of Oz said...

What a lovely heirloom, Liz!
And back in the day, 13/14 was considered old enough to leave school, unless you were destined for a career in the professions.
What a treasure. I'm sure your lad will look very smart with it on his waistcoat.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a beautiful treasured heirloom! Wow! I know you are happy to have it! It's always so nice to know the history of pieces like this too. Hugs, Diane