E badge

[Captain Starlight]

I need help with identifying this badge circa 1900. Thanks.

[Ironside410]

I think you will find it is an English language proficiency badge worn by natives who served with the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (PNGVR) and Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR) in 1960s and early 1970s and denoted the level of their English language ability.

From memory there are 3 in the set, lowest level is simply the E, then yours with the wreath, then another with the wreath and queens crown on top.

Regards

Dennis

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by Ironside410

I think you will find it is an English language proficiency badge worn by natives who served with the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (PNGVR) and Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR) in 1960s and early 1970s and denoted the level of their English language ability.

From memory there are 3 in the set, lowest level is simply the E, then yours with the wreath, then another with the wreath and queens crown on top.

Regards

Dennis

Spot on Dennis!

[manchesters]

For your help in dating badges, the clutch pin method of fastening is a modern method.

regards

[Captain Starlight]

Thanks Simon. Good info about the clutch pin. Any idea exactly when it was introduced? Was it during WWII? I ask because the only association our family had with PNG was in WWII when my father served in New Britain.

[MH331]

See this site here for dating clutch pin fastenings

http://hglanham.tripod.com/metalinsi...gclutches.html

best

Mark