First World War Home Front - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Postwarden · #1 30-03-23, 11:06 AM

I am putting together a special number of The Formation Sign for the Military Heraldry Society which will cover the Home Front in First World War Britain.

Amongst the many things to be covered are the numerous War Service badges. According to the IWM website a useful source is Howard Williamson's Great War Medal Collector's Companion pages 542-556. I don't have a copy and buying one for a small part of the work is a big spend so I wondered if any member might be generous enough to let me have a copy of those pages?

Suggestions for what else might be included would be of interest.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

Fatherofthree · #2 31-03-23, 12:38 AM

Good evening Jon.

If I get a chance later today, I'll somehow copy the pages requested and PM them to you when done.

Regards.

Brian

JerryBB · #3 31-03-23, 09:14 AM

Jon,

I have photographed the pages, how do you want them, email? I have uploaded them below but they might not n=be big enough?

mike_vee · #4 31-03-23, 09:37 AM

Thanks Jerry , I will download them for my 'reference' file.

.

JerryBB · #5 31-03-23, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_vee

Thanks Jerry , I will download them for my 'reference' file.

.

Mike/Jon, it is a fabulous book in its own right and is worth adding to your library if you can.

mike_vee · #6 31-03-23, 10:04 AM

Jon ,

I have an album showing official badges if you need any photos.

Official On War Service Badges 1914/1915/1916

Also , "Charliedog" (the late James Shevels) album of offical and unofficial badges is still viewable.

Official and Unofficial issue ‘War Service / War Exemption ‘badges including Munition badges.

.

JerryBB · #7 31-03-23, 10:19 AM

there is a paper by Gordon Williamson which was published in the Military Advisor and I have a pre publishing copy from him. He is on here I believe

mike_vee · #8 31-03-23, 10:42 AM

There is also an article by Tom Tulloch-Marshall that was published in The Armourer.

.

TWGB · #9 31-03-23, 10:49 AM

Jon,

Are you considering the Volunteer Training Corps (and all it's predecessors) as well?

It's a big topic, but in my view synonymous with 'The Home Front', too.

Best regards,

Tim

Postwarden · #10 31-03-23, 11:58 AM

My thanks to all who have responded to my appeal. The Forum at its best. I will respond individually to the posts.

I will be including the VTC.

Will keep members posted on progress.

Thanks again.

Jon

manchesters · #11 31-03-23, 12:24 PM

Jon,

As per your request for suggestions that could be included:-

VAD & BRCS
Veteran Reserve
National Reserve
VTC
TF 3rd Line Bn.'s / Protection Companies
Police War Reserve & Special Constables
Fund Raising Organisations/ Flag Days etc
YMCA & Canteen Services
Board of Agriculture/Womens Land Army/LAAS/WNLSC etc

Sorry to overwhelm you, maybe a little bit of each.

regards

MH331 · #12 31-03-23, 12:33 PM

I have the original documentation that accompanied the badge

BROOKIES · #13 02-04-23, 03:39 PM

Good afternoon Jon.

If you are looking to do work on the unofficial badges, here's two that I have that you could include.

Sure the forum could get you a few more badges/images.

Ta

Jonathan

DSC09925.jpg DSC09924.jpg DSC09928.JPG DSC09929.jpg

dumdum · #14 02-04-23, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postwarden

I am putting together a special number of The Formation Sign for the Military Heraldry Society which will cover the Home Front in First World War Britain.

Amongst the many things to be covered are the numerous War Service badges. According to the IWM website a useful source is Howard Williamson's Great War Medal Collector's Companion pages 542-556. I don't have a copy and buying one for a small part of the work is a big spend so I wondered if any member might be generous enough to let me have a copy of those pages?

Suggestions for what else might be included would be of interest.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

Hi Jon

A very interesting task and one that I will look forward to seeing the result of! You'll see that I've posted examples of OWS material in the past and would be happy for you to use any of this for your work. If there is something there that you would like a better photo of (some of my efforts are/were below standard...) please PM me and I will oblige.

Cheers!

kingsley · #15 03-04-23, 05:36 AM

Don't forget also the Australians who served in UK as munitions workers and VADs. They had their own insignia which was not worn in Australia. I think there was a Forum post on the Munitions badges some years ago.
Attached two badges as worn in UK by a VAD named Ada Hogg, of whom there is a marvellous photo online in the Australian War Memorial collection. The cap badge is British Red Cross / Order of St John and the collar badges a rare Australian rising sun variety worn only in UK.