Milligan Shield Presentation at the English Electric Co., Stafford

Description:This group photograph of the Mayor of Stafford with managers, apprentices, their parents and friends was taken after the Annual Presentation of Training Awards in the Association Hall at the English Electric Co., Lichfield Road Works, Stafford.

The Mayor, Alderman Mrs Ruth Turney wearing the Mayoral Chain (Mayor in 1946, 1947 and 1948) is seated on the front row 6th from the right, 5th from the right is Mr J. Rogers, General Manager of Works and 3rd from the right is Mr J.W.C. Milligan, Manager Stafford Works.

The young man standing at the centre of the second row has been presented with the Milligan Shield; he is seen holding the Shield. The Milligan Shield was awarded to a Trade or Engineering Apprentice in recognition of all-round merit, good shop work, good Technical College work and standing as a citizen among his colleagues – the subject of a vote amongst the Apprentices.

This image is taken from a glass negative donated to the Staffordshire County Museum by Alstom Power, Lichfield Road, Stafford.

Siemens Brothers purchased the land in 1901 and built the factory and offices which were ready to start production in 1903. In 1918 Siemens merged with several companies, including Dick, Kerr and Co., to become the English Electric Co. Two years later in 1920, The English Electric Co bought the Stafford Works. The English Electric Co merged with GEC (The General Electric Company) during 1968 and the Lichfield Road Site became part of GEC Power Engineering Ltd. On 22 March 1989 became part of GEC ALSTHOM, an Anglo French Joint Venture. On 22 June 1998 became part of ALSTOM with global HQ in Paris and to date (May 2015) continues to be part of the ALSTOM Group.