Some weeks ago Alan approached me and offered an original CAT tie clip for the members of CMN!
We talked via email for some time and agreed on turning this into a photo competition, with Alan beeing the judge choosing the winning photo!
The winner will receive the CAT tie clip!
Dear Alan, thank you for your generous offer and may the best photo win!
Caterpillar D9 Tie Clip
I thank you very much for your suggestion that I may like to judge your Photographic Competition and that the tie clip would make a suitable prize
for the best photograph. I would be extremely honoured if the tie clip was worn and treasured as my late Father wore and treasured it.
My family are from New Zealand and my Father was an apprenticeship-served motor mechanic (cars, trucks). In 1957 my Father decided he wanted to change the course of his work and become a heavy machinery mechanic. We lived in the town of Rotorua (North Island, New Zealand) which was the centre of a large forestry area. At that time, most of the heavy farming, roadworks, and forestry machinery was Caterpillar. The New Zealand Agents for Caterpillar were a company by the name of Gough, Gough & Hamer.
There was a large Gough, Gough & Hamer machinery sales, parts outlet, and workshops at Rotorua. My Father joined this company as an Assistant Mechanic in 1957. He was required to serve two years as an Assistant and attend training courses to enable him to work unassisted on large Caterpillar machinery.
In 1959 (I was 12 years old and remember it well) he completed his Caterpillar training and, as well as receiving a Training Certificate, he received the tie clip. He used to wear this tie clip often and was very proud of it.
Shortly before he passed away in 2004, my Father asked me what I would like him to leave for me. As I was living in England and I did not want anything heavy, I told him I would like his war medals (Japan). Soon after his passing my Mother sent me a small box with his medals inside. Also inside was the tie clip. I had forgotten about the clip as I left New Zealand in 1974 and I did not see him wearing a tie thereafter.
I went to sea and became a Chief Engineer on large diesel powered container ships and steam powered very large oil tankers. Having retired several years ago, I still wear a tie often but I have several tie clips more appropriate to my profession and therefore I would like the D9 tie clip to go to a gentleman who will wear it, and, is also a good photographer of heavy machinery.
Wishing you all the best,
Alan
I will see what I can come up with. 
