ROYAL ARSENAL WOOLWICH - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

LONGSHANKS · #1 28-05-14, 12:29 AM

Hi all, would anyone be able to confirm to me if the Royal Arsenal badge was only WW2 issue, or was it used in the Great War also.

Cheers

Simon.

ANGLE IRON · #2 28-05-14, 05:35 AM

I thought it was just a WWI issue, I just bought one for my son (Arsenal Supporter) Kev

Mike_2817 · #3 28-05-14, 08:09 AM

Its a WWII Issue - In WWI a different badge was worn

Both Men & Women wore the same badge in WWII (as in Post #1) Most Royal Ordnance Factories wore numbered (not named) badges

The 'Royal Arsenal' was ROF 1

LONGSHANKS · #4 28-05-14, 11:40 AM

Thanks for the confirmation. I had a feeling it was WW2. I've been after one for some time and found a nice one, but thought I'd confirm first. Glad I did.

Cheers

Simon.

PETEM7591 · #5 20-10-14, 10:34 PM

Hello. I own one of the WW1 badges with serial number on fitting, i was going to say that it is 100% "ORIGINAL" but due to my last post reply i will let you decide.

Peter.

cga00 · #6 21-10-14, 07:24 AM

There are a lot of these WW1 badges around, and not expensive. I don't think anyone has bothered reproducing these (yet).

Martin W. · #7 21-10-14, 09:30 AM

I'll have to look around for one of the WWI badges as my grandmother worked at Woolwich during the war.

Chers,Martin.

cavalryman · #8 21-10-14, 12:19 PM

pete, the badge you show is in my opinion 100% original, it has "character" compare it with the badge you show in the other thread which has no "character" and I'm sure you will agree. regards john

PETEM7591 · #9 21-10-14, 12:37 PM

Thank you John for your well put honest reply. I do agree with you 100% that this Badge that I have shown (ON WAR SERVICE 1915) does look more authentic than the previous badge I showed, 99% of my collection was bought from a reputable dealer from Surrey in the 1970s long before the overwhelming amount of fakes and reproductions on the market today. So in future i will listen to other members to voice there own opinions and respect there opinions.
Peter.

Mike_2817 · #10 21-10-14, 08:49 PM

I have seen many of these 'On War Service 1915' Badges in both Brass & Enamelled and cannot say I have suspected any of them

Conductor · #11 11-11-14, 08:54 PM

I have a copy of an article written by a chap called Tom Tulloch-Marshall who states that the Original OWS badges, issued by the War Office (Ministry of Munitions) were enamelled but later on in the war a cheaper version was produced in Brass. The women's badge was only made in brass