The Midland Railway crest

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THE MIDLAND RAILWAY ASSEMBLAGE TRAILS
"The Family Trail"
Stop Ten: The Silver Tray

A little further along...

A large silver plate tray on display in the Assemblage

Stop 10

Where: C8 orange

What: Miss Doughty’s tray

Material: Silver plate

Why: The employment of women in the Victorian and Edwardian eras is a complex story, full of injustice and unfairness. To have this splendid memento of the Midland Railway career of one young lady, Beatrice Helena DOUGHTY (1870 - 1955), is all the more special. Her story also emblematic of the time; she was the daughter of John James DOUGHTY (1844 - 1925) who, as the Midland Railway's Chief Accountant, also happened to be her boss. Her marriage to an up-and-coming young man in the same office, which this tray celebrates, also marked the end of her employment — reflecting the standards of the time, the Midland Railway would not countenance the employment of a married woman.

Ref: 88-1978-278

A much closer view of the tray the inscription of which reads; THIS SALVER together with a Sterling Silver Tea & Coffee Service was Presented to MISS DOUGHTY on the occasion of her marriage by the Officers of the Accountants Department of the Midland Railway, Derby. 26th May 1898