Hi Michael
Thanks for your reply. I think that there
MUST be some truth to what is said about these different types of badge.
Thinking logically, you are in a working situation and you need to be able to identify the "chap in charge" (or "chapess"
).
So how do you do this? Armbands were one answer but badges would also serve the same purpose.
What has been exercising me for a while are the numbers on those 1915 badges (the "M"; "X" or "U" marked on the back of the crown). They are part of the "hammer head" striking the badge as they are
RAISED, had they been struck
INTO the badge it would be easier to understand their function as they would have used one type of badge and just impressed the appropriate letter into the badge.
Clearly they had an important function in identifying the wearer either by trade, industry or region.
Thoughts?