As a collector I want to have as complete a set as possible , as an RBL member I ensure that a donation (either from seller or myself) is made so that the charity continues to benefit from their sale.

I now have quite a few different pins purchased from RBL sellers or the Poppy shop and though not a collector of the pins in the true sense of the word I buy the latest pins as they come out. It has to be said that the RBL have been very inventive in their efforts to raise as much money as possible and have produced some stunning pins & brooches to commemorate special events or people...for example the Somme, Passchendaele, Women of the First World War, D-Day etc. Some of these are beautiful . However, when visiting Salisbury Cathedral over the Summer months I spotted the following ...I initially thought it was for the RBL but on examining it, I found the money was donated to other Charities for Soldiers...it had to be bought albeit I felt a wee bit guilty about it not being for the Royal British Legion.

I'm not a "purist" , I simply collect Poppy/Remembrance pins. My preference is official RBL/Poppyshop items but I also like the ones issued by the various branches.

Another point is that previously numerous groups/companies were 'authorised' by RBL to produce pins/badges but are now banned , so the charity is missing out on a lot of donations.

I am totally against people cashing in on the RBL "brand" or making fake/imitation items but I feel it is a step too far when simply calling an item a "poppy" (no mention of RBL) is portrayed as illegal/wrong.

P.S I would have bought the one above without a second thought , a nice item benefitting charity.

Centenary/Commemorative Pins
 

Picked up a joblot of 15 pins which included 3 of the Commemorative pins I have been looking for.
1. Great Pilgrimage 90
2. Royal Air Force 1918-2018
3. Battle of Amiens 1918-2018

Still got a few more to acquire before the set is complete :

1. Battle of Cambrai
2. WW1 Centenary (helmet and boots)
3. Hexagon The Falkland War 1982-2017

Plus the round Thank You 1918-2018 (no writing round edge) and RBL 1914-1918 WW1 Centenary .

Another variation !
 

While sorting out my latest acquisitions I noticed that the Passchendaele 1917-2017 pin didn't fit in with the other Centenary ones , it had the poppy with leaf .
A quick Google search shows that 2 versions of the pin were sold , so I now have another one to find .

All the ones I've seen posted are the same , anyone got the other version ?

Solved the puzzle of the 2 different Passchendaele pins , it appears the one without the leaf was available from Poppy Appeal (PAO) and the one with the leaf was sold by Poppy Shop.

Thanks to Mike C for all his help , now I have a couple of less pins on my wanted list. :) Getting pins from official RBL sources ensure that money goes directly to charity.


PS. Thanks to other forum members who have helped me find/acquire other Legion/Branch badges. (Have made an album of pins I am looking for)

:o Glad to be of service re Passchendaele pin without leaf as well as the VJ Pin

;) But sorry Mike, I think its the other way round, the one with the leaf was available from Poppy Appeal (PAO) and the one without the leaf was sold by Poppy Shop. I deduce this by the fact I have 30+ with leaf in my leftover Poppy Appeal stock, and I would never buy that many from the shop.... I think I had about 300 of these pins in 2017

:D [Poppy Appeal Organisers (PAO) are supplied on a non-payment basis with all donations going into Poppy Appeal account]

I am looking for a Operation Banner 50 Pin (Poppy Shop) for my collection as despite being a Northern Ireland veteran myself I managed not to get one :mad:

:) I donate for any pin I use for my own collection I obtain from PAO stocks

First the eyesight fades then the memory starts going ! :D

I probably got mixed up because there are lots of the leafed ones available but I only recently discovered there was the non leafed version.

I missed out on the Op Banner one as well and am also looking for one for the same reasons. I wish our PAO's could get more variety to include ones like these.

Michael

Mike, you have some cracking one's there, where did you manage to find them?

Michael

Joblot on eBay ! :D Listing appeared with "make an offer" option and I got lucky.

A total of 15 badges and I paid the grand sum of ....... £11.00 + £4.00 postage.

These have already started to appear on eBay (starting bid £30.00 +) , can't understand why someone would buy one for D-Day anniversary then sell it so soon afterwards.

One was for sale without the outer box and certificate , I put in a 'holding' bid just to see how much it went for ........ and got it for £10.00 (free postage) .

I won't profit from it but may end up swapping for other pins.

Poppy 'variation'
 

The 2011 dated Poppy pin that was available from Poppy Shop had the "11 o'clock" (high) leaf , the small and medium undated pins from Poppy Shop also have the "11 o'clock"(high) leaf.

Most of the 2012 & 2013 pins have the "10 o'clock"(low) leaf but there are 'variations' of these pins with the "11 o'clock"(high) leaf. There is a 2013 one available at the moment on eBay (£8.00 + £1.00 postage) if anyone is looking to have the complete set of official RBL issued Poppy pins.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Poppy-Pin...53.m1438.l2649

As I have found out recently , with the Passchendaele pins , different versions of some pins were available from Poppy Shop and PAO's .

N.B I have nothing to do with the eBay listing , just thought it may be of interest to other members.

Above item is Poppy Shop example (RBL Logo backing card with URL)

I have Poppy Appeal (PAO) Dated Poppy Pins from 2011 onwards available at £3.00 each - Post Paid if anyone needs them. simple bagged item - no backing cards.

I will be listing carded sets of PAO issue commemorative poppy pins in the next couple of days.

All monies less postage & packing to the Poppy Appeal.

Latest additions
 

1. Poppy Scotland 2013

2. Diamond Jubilee 1952-2012 (I really like these pins !) :)

3. We Will Remember Them 1914-1918 (I thinks this also came with white background).

4. WWII Victory +75 - Direct from Canadian Legion Poppy Store.

Variation ?
 

Sorting out pins when I noticed this 'variation' , genuine or rip off copy ?

The H.F one is definitely RBL.

POST AMENDED

Most of the ones I seen so far are like the left hand version'

The are requested by PAO's from Aylsford to reward Poppy Appeal Collectors for 15 years volunteering and come with a certificate.

This pin is for Male Volunteers, the Ladies get a brooch fitting Poppy with intertwined RBL.

Further badges (all broached) are awarded at 20 & 25 years with a 30 year medal with 5 year bars for extra years onwards.

I received the one illustrated below circa 2015, but I am due to receive some for issue soon, I will report back when I receive them (note - badge is brighter than shown)

The one with the H.F center is shown on the RBL website.

Unless the rules have changed you are 5 years out with awards :

After 15 years : Brooch for ladies and Tie Tack for gentlemen.

After 30 years : Long Service Brooch (for ladies)/Medal (for gentlemen).

I've got the 30 year Brooch with bars for 35/40/45/50 and Medal but not the 'pinned style' bars.

The one I'd love to acquire is the 50 year badge !

https://support.britishlegion.org.uk...eal+awards.pdf

Damn, I came back to amend my post! but you beat me to it; As a PAO I can have the first badge after 10 years, and I mixed the years up. 5 & 10 years a certificates on their own. [and I fill in the forms LoL]

I have a 15 year badge in the office I will check it out next week.

Sorry, the 50 Year badges are like hens teeth! ... I have one as one of my collectors earned it and passed away and her son gave it to me knowing I collected them. I have another due for the award after the next appeal.

Mike , my reply was based on an old (2012) post by a very knowledgeable forum member ! :D

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...29&postcount=1

Yes, that frame is in my office, I have replaced the 90th Pins with the Ayr 4 pin set and added a Poppy Appeal Deputy Organiser badge..

I have to guard it with my life at times :o

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...6&d=1345830837

Ride of Respect
 

Picked up these two badges which I though would go well with the RBLR stuff I have.

Here are some additions to my collection

PAO 2018 (One sent to each Poppy Appeal Organiser at home & overseas) I've had this one since 2018 ;-)
Prototype of above without lettering. Produced in very small numbers
Prototypes of WW1 Centenary Pins (dated 2014) with Gold Centres.
Prototype of 1914-1918 'Thank You' pin in gun metal without colouring.
LPD (London Poppy Day) Pin dated 2018 (issued since 2014) #I am looking for other dates...

Nice pins ! :D

The "1914-1918 'Thank You' pin in gun metal" is like a smaller version of the 1918-2018 centenary medal/coin used at the start of football matches played during Remembrance week 2018.

I don't know when the dated LPD pins were first issued , last year was the 13th London Poppy Day.
I have a 2013 LPD pin (smaller than 2018 , same size as normal 2013 dated pin).

Thanks Mike, will look out for the earlier 2013 LPD pin, I also have a 2016 LPD pin same size as the 2018.

2007 Poppy Pin
 

Before I joined the forum I bought a 2007 Poppy Pin on eBay , photo only showed front of pin and no mention of size. Boy was I dumb ! :o

Today one is on eBay , again only photo of front and screen grab of an earlier listing which sold for £60.00.

Seller has one for 'bids' and one 'buy it now' for £10.00.

Description:
"2007 poppy pin badge,rare date, small version. 30mm includuding green branch"

30mm may be small compared to some Poppy badges/brooches but compared to genuine ones it is hugh.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-popp...h/333542658360

Wanted list
 

Another one on my list acquired , found by a mate who knows I collect Poppy Pins. :)

VE Day 75
 

Poppy Shop has just started selling commemorative pins for VE Day 75 , Army/Navy/RAF. Other items include 'V' poppy pin.

VE Day - Stories of Home Pin
 

Another "special" from Poppy Shop (£29.99 + postage).

"Both solider and civilian are united as one, two sides of the coin, one side smooth and polished, the other hammered to reflect the sacrifices made and the challenged endured, both in service and in life."

Nice but another one I'll give a miss.

My pins arrived today , wasn't sure if there would be a delay from warehouse/supplier.

Sad to think that planned V.E Day events are being cancelled due to virus.

"With regards to the VE Day commemorations, the Legion has taken the difficult decision not to continue with plans to facilitate attendance for members of the Second World War generation at events in London for VE75. The Legion is working with the Government to develop alternative commemorations for VE Day."

Yes, mine arrived today as well. Just got an email to say the London & Aylsford Offices & Warehouse is shut down as is the Poppy Factory.

Do not know about the Poppy Shop as it is a Franchise Operation.

Poppy Shop has another VE75 pin (£2.99) , just wish they had it on their site when I ordered the other ones. At least I got a 'promo code' with my last order so don't have to pay £3.99 postage this time.

"We are currently running a full operation within our fulfilment and distribution centre."

Yes I noticed that as well Mike! Same design as VE70 Pin - Have ordered two as it is a minimum order of £3.99

Good job there is free postage...

I also notice that they are selling the VE75 Wreath normally obtained from Poppy Appeal Aylsford

VE75 pins from poppy shop just arrived , plus 2 from Poppy Scotland.

One Good Turn
 

I have been searching for an RBL Falklands War commemorative pin for almost 1 year and have finally got one with the help of a forum member (thanks Mike) .

The day it was posted to me I spotted another one on eBay (no mention of RBL or Poppy in the listing) , snapped it up as I know someone else wanted one .

So , I've now got one and the other one will be on it's way shortly to another forum member.

As they say , one good turn deserves another. :)

This is why the forum is great , people offer advice and help out when they can.

One of these was just sold on eBay for £41.00 + £4.00 postage , so total cost £45.00.

They are still available from Poppy Shop for £29.99 + £3.99 postage , so total cost £33.98.

It pays to check prices before buying on eBay ! :D


Edit : One hour later same seller has listed another one , starting bid £20.00 + £5.00 postage.

That one went for £31.00 + £5.00 postage (total £36.00) , they could still have bought a new one from Poppy Shop for a total of £33.98 and the profit would have gone to RBL ! :confused:

Well I take it the sale of badge originated from the Poppy Shop in the first place with the difference going into the ebay sellers pocket.

As you say it pays to check

Recent additions
 

Latest additions to my collection:

1. London Ambulance Service - Will now have to hunt for missing years !

2. RBL and M&S enamel dated pins.

3. Large "Join The Legion" button.

4. Somme 1916 Musee (Museum) pin.

5. Thiepval poppy pin.

6. RBL VJ Day 75 commemorative pin - Got this early in case of supply problems.

7 & 8. Not badges but really liked these keyrings .


NB. Postal deliveries have been hit and miss , second class post arriving in 24 hours but some first class post taking 10-14 days ! Have only had 1 lot go missing but got refund from seller. (Note to self : Don't make promises until badges are in your hand :o).

Dunkirk 80
 

Latest from Poppy Shop , "Dunkirk 80 Commemorative Pin Badge".

The VJ Day 75 Commemorative pin is still available but (unfortunately for those who missed out) the VE Day 75 Navy and RAF pins which sold out quickly and were shown as "out of stock" are no longer showing on the Poppy Shop site.

Also , although I am signed up for e-mail notifications , they do not send out any information when new items/pins become available! :mad: