Description

A Silver medal from Dublin 1915.

This is a fascinating piece of Dublin social history. A 1915 Silver Medal from the Dublin Working Girls’ Drilling Association, manufactured by the prominent Dublin jeweler and silversmith S.H. Waterhouse.
The "Drilling" referred to on the medal isn't industrial; rather, it refers to physical education and rhythmic gymnastics—a popular movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at improving the health and discipline of young working-class women through organized exercise and synchronized movement.
Details of the Medal
Front : Features a central Irish harp with a banner reading "1915". The surrounding text identifies the organization as the "Dublin Working Girls' Drilling Association."
Back : Stamped with the maker's name "S.H. WATERHOUSE DUBLIN" and a series of British/Irish hallmarks.
The Hallmarks:
BHJ: This is the sponsor/maker's mark, likely for Bernard Henry Joseph, a known manufacturing jeweler of that era.
Lion Passant: Indicates the piece is sterling silver (92.5\% pure).
Leopard’s Head: The assay office mark for London.
Date Letter "u": Confirms the year of the assay as 1915, matching the date on the front.
Historical Context
S.H. Waterhouse (Samuel Hatfield Waterhouse) operated a prestigious jewelry shop at 25-26 Dame Street, Dublin. While they were famous for high-end items and reproductions of the "Tara Brooch," they also held contracts for various civic and athletic medals.
The year 1915 is particularly significant in Irish history. These associations provided rare recreational outlets for women working in Dublin's factories and shops just a year before the 1916 Rising and during the height of World War I.