Lapel badge questions
 

I've learned the basics of most of these except...

1. The first badge I have no info at all, other than it refers to the Overseas Military Forces of Canada. Would it have been worn on "active service", as the Civil Staff would have been in civilian clothes? Or is it similar to a veterans' badge, worn post war?

2. The 2nd and 4th Division badges are OCA? When would they have been made/issued?

3. The last one reads Army & Navy Veterans In Canada on the circlet. With no mention of the Air Force, does this predate WWII?

And now the pictures!

Hi Eric, Some nice service pins / souvenir pins there. I have not seen the first one before. It is a First WW pin, as that designation was not used for the Cdn armed forces in the Second WW. The other two badges in the top row are veteran's lapel pins, for the respective CEF divisions. The bottom row of badges have two service pins. The left one is for Second WW service, and the next one over is for First WW service. They were numbered as can be seen, but there are no comprehensive rolls, and the numbers are not related to the soldier's service number. The last pin on the right appears to be for a veterans organization.

Thanks Bill. If you know anyone who might have a clue about that OMF badge, please feel free to reach out to them!

Interesting note about the 2nd Division badge; the two halves are brazed together. As far as I can tell it was manufactured that way as they are joined to a substantial "plinth" of brass rather than a post.

Enfant, many thanks for sharing those, nice to see them all together like that, the 2nd Can Div, must have been 'reversible'? lovely items. Regards Mark

Hi

I have two of your OMF badge (one with a "half moon" clip, the other with a pin back, which I assume was for a woman to wear). I'd been told that they were WW1 period and had assumed this from the size of the badge. Both made by Gaunt.

There are two WW1 Australian badges for civilian staff (one h/m silver, the other enameled (black/white rectangle patch for AIF HQ?) and also h/m silver). Both of these badges turn up on eBay from time to time but seem to have a hefty price tag and stay listed for some time as a result.

Also have seen an "NZ/ War Service" badge that is clearly inspired by the "NZ/ Onward" badge as it has the classic fernleaves, NZ in centre and "WAR SERVICE" in base scroll. Black enamel filled.

Again a pin back badge but not silver from what I can remember.

I have seen examples of the type of pin for the 2nd Cdn Div with the veteran's name, bn etc engraved.

My example is also Gaunt (it might not be clear in the picture). Interesting info about the different fixings, and that does make sense.