A 1940's silver-gilt mounted and enamel Freedom casket by Walker & Hall, for the County Borough...

A 1940's silver-gilt mounted and enamel Freedom casket by Walker & Hall, for the County Borough of Doncaster and presented to Alderman Walter James Crookes, the stepped rectangular form raised on four corner bracket feet, with two enamel panels to the front depicting buildings in Doncaster, one a view of The Mansion House and the other of St. George's Church, above an applied mace and wreath with entwined date 1948, and a presentation engraving verso, the hinged lid with an enamelled Doncaster coat of arms finial, and opening to a velvet lined interior containing the Honorary Freedom of the Borough scroll. Hallmarked Walker & Hall, Sheffield 1948. Maximum length measuring 10 inches (25.3 cm). Sold with an obituary notice from the local newspaper dated March 28th 1956, and a 9ct gold fob medal engraved to Councillor Crookes, hallmarked William Walter Cashmore, Birmingham 1918.

Engraving to casket reads 'County Borough of Doncaster, This casket with the enclosed scroll was presented to Alderman Walter James Crookes, on his admission to the Honorary Freedom of the Borough on the 9th December, 1948.'

Scroll reads 'The 9th day of December 1948. Be it Remembered; that on this date Alderman Walter James Crookes is admitted to the Honorary Freedom of the Borough in recognition of the eminent services rendered by him to the Borough during a period of 30 years and especially in association with the Town's Gas Undertaking, as Chairman of the Gas Committee for over 24 years, and as Mayor during the year 1929-30.'