Need help indentifying buttons/badges

[SGT Houdini]

I'm trying to ID some items from a small box of heirlooms I inherited recently. There are no notes or descriptions in the box with them, so I've been digging online and have become completely inundated with information. The information on this site has been helpful, but just when I think I've got it right, I read something else that makes me second guess what I'm looking at.

I think I've ID'd at least a couple of these as common WW2 military coat buttons, but my guesses are amateur hour at best. If anyone can provide info about date, description of typical use, translation, 2nd and 3rd lines on the ID tags, etc. on any items in these photos, my family and I would greatly appreciate it! It is important for us to track down the historical information so it can be passed along with these items. Thank you in advance!!

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[Bill A]

Hello SGTHoudini, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

[Bill A]

The badges are mostly Canadian. The flaming grenade is a Canadian artillery collar badge pre-1914 pattern. The beaver on the maple leaf is a generic Canadian police badge. Some of the buttons are Canadian as well.

[Cribyn]

Hello

Your first button is a Canadian General Service pattern in use from about 1924-1946.

Second button is civilian, French postal services and telecommunications I believe, but not my line really.

Third button is another General Service pattern mainly used by the British Army but also sometimes by Commonwealth Forces; date range 1901-1953.

Fourth is Merchant Navy, a general pattern used throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Fifth button is for a shipping line, the Harrison Line, I think.

Regards
Roger

[SGT Houdini]

Bill and Roger,

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I will continue to do as much research as I can on these and hopefully narrow down which individuals in our family tree they belonged to. But for now, the info you've given is written down and stored with them so my kids will know this when I'm gone. Thanks again!!