Lot 2086

Description

Wales, military check, for Hay on Wye issued for T. Stokoe, threepence, 26mm., white metal, obv. 'T. Stokoe Army Contractor Hay' large '3' in centre, rev. across 'Canteen', (Cox 211). Good very fine.

Ex Spink Australia Sale 33 (lot 467). The issue was initially thought to be possibly from an internment camp at Hay N.S.W. (Renniks p.188, McDonald p.349), but this has recently been refuted by W. Mira. It has been correctly attributed by Noel and Alan Cox (p.87) in 1994. They note that Thomas Stokoe was in business 1884-1914 as a chemist, grocer and as an agent for W. & A. Gilby, Wine and Spirit merchants at 12 High Street, Hay in Wales. He is also listed as a publican at the Crown Hotel, Broad street, the Wine Vaults, Castle street and at the Lamb, Newport street. Stokoe died c.1914 but the business continued to be run by his executors until 1920. The D Company of the Breconshire Rifle Volunteers had its headquarters in Hay in 1884 and the Royal Artillery held its summer camp in the town when presumably other volunteer units from South Wales and adjoining English counties were in attendance.