This presentation was courtesy of the Spitfire Society, which is a UK-wide organisation committed to celebrating the aeroplane of the same name, and saw two medals awarded to Hanley’s Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
Both of these medallions, which are bronze, Reginald Mitchell (the Spitfire designer) on one side, with the aeroplane itself depicted on the other side.
Mitchell originally hailed from Stoke-on-Trent, attending Hanley High School, with the city also being responsible for the construction of thousands of the aeroplanes that helped the air force win the Battle of Britain.
At the official presentation, Jon Honeysett from the Spitfire Society told the Stoke Sentinel:
“It is a real honour to be here in the city where Reginald Mitchell came from to present this award.”
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery can always rely on shops that provide postcard printing in Stoke-on-Trent if it wishes to stock Spitfire souvenirs for people to buy.
Deb Klemperer, the principal curator for the museum, stated that it was one of just two UK museums not dedicated to engineering to actually have a complete Spitfire on display. The award from the society was timed to coincide with the Battle of Britain’s 75th anniversary.