Unofficial war service pins
 

Does anyone know if there's a book out there about the unofficial pins that were issued?

I have one each of the 4 official pins that were issued but no unofficial ones & it's an area that I'm thinking of branching out into.

What is an official and unofficial War Service Pin, please?

Marc

I'm presuming you mean the On War Service badges. There is a book all about them called Doing Their Bit, worth googling for it.

Hi AB,

as far as I know there is not a definitive book on these badges, but I can refer you to CharlieDog's albums, which are a quite an amazing collection of them, complete with some superb info.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=3667
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=3305
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=3665

Hi Marc, we are talking about the many "on War Service" lapel pins that were issued during the Great War. Mostly unofficial and mostly not endorsed by the Government, but none-the-less, prolific. I go by the assumption they were used to both closely mimic official ones (in the case of the 1914 badge, many unofficial ones are very similar in design) and also to ward off the white feather brigade.

Officially, there were 4 issued:
1) The common round "1914 On War Service", issued by the Admiralty
2) The crossed cannon "enrolment" badge, issued to workers waiting for placement in factories - they were originally issued enamelled, but then soon changed to all GM
3) The common "1915 On War Service" badge, also as above, originally enamelled then changed to 'economy'.
4) The 1916 "On War Service" triangular badge, issued to women workers. These come mostly in brass, but all gilded, white metal and nickel plated, and occasionally with the corners rounded off.

Cheers, Tim

Thanks Tyneside, I had forgotten about Jon's book, that is an excellent reference for WW2 badges.

There are other country specific books, mostly very hard to get a hold of nowadays, that cover the area, as well.

Cheers, Tim

Thanks for the information & links. Unless my Googling skills are wonky, the book appears to cover the Second World War & I'm looking more for First World War items. Sorry, I should've been clearer.

The albums look fantastic!

Hi AB

I figured you may be looking at WW1.

If you re looking at British badges, there is scant info in any one book.

Canadian Badges are covered in "Canadian War Service Badges" by Robbie Johnson, but the book is virtually impossible to find these days, I have been looking for a copy for 2 years....

Australian Badges covered in "Australians Awarded" by Clive Johnson and "Australian War Badges of WW1 & WW2" by Graham Donley has some as well.

British Railway badges are covered briefly in "Railway Buttons, Badges, and Uniforms" by David Froggatt and there is literally just a few pages on British badges, with just a little info in "The Great War Collectors Companion" by Howard Williamson

Cheers, Tim

Thank you, I understand now, it was the use of the word pin that had me confused.

Marc

This one is defintely unofficial :D

The postcard is by Fred Spurgin ( Izydor Spurgin ) , many of his wartime comic postcards were a reflection of contemporary attitudes and tastes. There were cards on patriotism, politics, women at work, comments on government policy.

This one may be connected to either compulsory military service, which was introduced in 1916 or perhaps a change in policy about "private" badges.

"These private “On Service Badges” were made illegal on August 4 1915 and any companies that had been allowed to issue their own badges were instructed to withdraw them and issue official badges instead."

Hi Tom,

I've just picked up on this thread, what is the crossed cannon enrolment badge? I'm not sure I've seen one of those.

Michael

Hi Michael,

I imagine you have seen these, but they are often described simply as Munitions worker badges, when in fact, they were a sign a person had enrolled to work in munitions, but had not been placed yet. They were meant to be returned and replaced with the 1915 oval version once employment started, but as was often the case in those days, is seems based on how common they are, most were never returned.

Cheers, Tim

Thanks Tim,

Yes I know what you mean now, I am one of those who thought they were for munitions workers. I have the GM one but not the enamelled version.

Thanks for the explanation.

Michael

Edit: I've just realised auto correct changed your name to Tom on my early post, sorry about that.

I was confused as well :confused:

Google images helped , found this on IWM site.

Now all I need to do is fnd one !:D

:D

no problem Michael, I answer to Tim or Tom :p

Hi Mike, the GM ones are reasonably easy to find on e-bay and dealer sites, the enamelled ones are a bit harder to find though. Pricing is all over the place, but you should be able to pick up an all GM version for around £15. The enamelled ones can be tricky, as they are usually priced way too high, in my opinion; but If you're patient, you may get one around £40 or even under, but most are in the £45 - £55 range.

If you have access to a militaria fair, that may be your best and cheapest option. I will be at Stratford this year, (9th June) happy to look out for one if you want - just PM me.

Also, beware of repaired enamelled ones, where the enamel is not a consistent colour.

Cheers, Tim

Hi Tim , thanks for your input.

I'm very much a novice but have managed to get a basic set of the other OWS badges , not best quality but hopefully will 'upgrade' later. I will probably pick up a GM version and add the enamel one to my "wish list".

This forum has increased my knowledge and curiosity , my journey continues.

Poppy/Remembrance > British Legion/RBL > "Founder Organisations" > OWS.

Hi Mike,

all good fella, good luck with the hunting, and there are a few of us here who collect OWS stuff, and I know all of us are happy to help where we can

cheers, Tim

Nice little article in the following link:

http://tonyjamesnoteworld.biz/wp-con...e_Badges_2.pdf

Excellent article especially for novices like me.

Also good to see the forum mentioned in the references.
"The British & Commonwealth Military Badge
Forum"

Found another interesting article :

"The origins of Munitions Badges and Ministry of Munitions."

The lay out is a bit mixed up but due to it being a pdf. file.

It is from the book "From Corn to Cordite " by John Williams.

http://munitionsbadges.weebly.com/up..._munitions.pdf

Thanks Mike and CharlieDog, both very interesting articles. I think, from memory, the "Corn to Cordite" book is very hard to get these days.

Cheers, Tim

The word, Badge, would certainly be rather more appropriate.

Hi all

You can also see the round 1914 Admiralty badge that was issued unnumbered and then, I understand, supposed to be returned to be numbered. I wonder how that went for them....

Have also seen the same badge with red paint in the crown and white paint in the inner circle.

I used to wonder about the "round cornered" 1916 badge but, having worked in a factory at one time, you can see how those sharp corners would be more than a curse!

Some posts ago, I set out some variants of the 1916 "triangle" including ones with "year bars" and also good quality little silver (?) "dangler" style versions.

I do have some "doubles" of these unofficial "on war service" badges so PM me if you want to acquire any!

Found this selection from IWM.

Hey Mike,

what a fantastic display they have. One or two there I'd love to get my mits on...

thanks for tracking this pic down

cheers, Tim

Picked up a stamp showing a munitions factory worker , Lottie Mead , wearing her badge. Also found out there were other things that were a 'curse'

Picture courtesy of IWM (© IWM (WWC M15-1)

Sad to say that many munitionettes lost their lives both by poisoning from chemicals used in manufacturing the shell fillings but also as a result of explosions.

Nice to see such a commemorative item.

Also sometimes referred to as "Tommy's sister" according to a book that I found.

WW1 badges
 

Hi,
I am new to the forum and fairly new (about a year) to collecting munition workers' badges. I am more interested in the WW1 ones. Is there a comparable book to "Doing Their Bit: Home Front Lapel Badges 1939-1945" by Jon Mills, but for the first war?

My interest in the badges stems from my research into the history of women in engineering work.

thanks
nina

I have searched in vain for a ‘World War 1’ equivalent to Jon Mills excellent volume ‘Doing their bit’. The above links in the various posts make an excellent starting point for understanding the difference between the ‘Official’ and ‘Unofficial’ badges. However, one of the joys in collecting the ‘Unofficial’ badges is researching about the companies involved. It is fascinating.
Cheers
James

Hi all

Just doing a bit of searching for one of my "fav" topics and came across this thread. I had contact with a man who was working on a book of these "unofficial" badges but don't know if it ever came to pass.

I supplied him with some images and he was able to tell me about some of my badges and also correct some of my misconceptions about them.

I've always wanted one of the Spurgin postcards but I always seem to miss out at auction.

I love the joke that "taking away the badge" suggests that the holder will be conscripted and will no longer be in a "protected" industry.

Having "chased" the unofficial badges for more than a few years now, I'm constantly surprised at the endless variety that existed.

Question (half serious..): was the guy who was making the badges in a protected industry?

The Spurgin postcard caught me eye , hadn't even noticed the date , just thought it was a bit of fun. Only cost me a couple of £'s .

I guess the people making the "official" badges were doing 'government work' but those making "unofficial" ones (especially after they were banned) were basically just 'badge makers' with no protected status.

Official On War Service Badges
 

Finally got round to getting the enamelled "enrolment" badge. :D

Picked up a small job lot , enrolment badge , Wylie 1916 (sharp corners) and a small tin box (more about that in another thread).

Paid just under £40.00 for the lot (average price on eBay for 1916 badges is £25.00) so was very happy with price.

1-2. 1914 - Only other 'variation' I've seen is one with 'screw post' fitting. :confused:

3-4. 1915-16 "Enrolment" enamelled (not sure of year this was issued/in use).

5-6. 1915-16 "Enrolment" plain .

7-8. 1915 OWS enamelled (small Gaunt stamp on back of crown).

9-10. 1915 OWS plain (L series Gaunt).

11-12. 1916 OWS Gaunt.

13-14. 1916 OWS Wylie

15-16. 1916 OWS Wylie rounded corners (looks manufactuered rather than filed).

17. Lottie Meade (Munitions worker) stamp.

Official On war Service Badges part 2
 

Remainder of photos :

One that I've got.

Blimey Mike,

You got all of that for under £40???

You do have a great eye for a bargain.

Michael

An absolute bargain indeed! Nice work Sir. I especially like the Wylie example...nice!
Cheers
James

Excellent work and some very nice ones there. The 1916 woman's badges often come with rounded corners, professionally done, or even possibly made that way, as you say. The thinking is it was either simply a fashion choice, or the more pointed corners caught in clothes. Either way, it's an original, and excellent example.

Cheers, Tim

Another excellent one, not one you see often, and this is a beautiful example. Thank for showing it

cheers, Tim

The lot was 2 badges and the tin , other badges were picked up over the past 2 years for on average £5.00 each.

It's all down to patience ....... and luck ! :D

I browse for mislabeled lots or ones that don't contain any 'key words' in the description (so don't show up on searches).

This lots was described as "Antique WW1 Brass Princess Mary Christmas Tin w/ WW1 Workers Badges" , no mention of 'munitions' or 'war service'.

Then (if there are no bids) I bid the minimum amount or place the lot on my 'watch list'. At the last minute I'll bid my maximum (no bidding war) and sometimes I'm lucky and get the lot . In this case if there had been one more bid I would have lost the lot !