Quote:
Originally Posted by dumdum
Do you think that the backplate could have been used as a badge on its own or were the two intended to be a pairing?
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The backplate definitely 'could' have been worn on its own but why 'would' it ?
The design was obviously intended for it to be 'paired' with the 1916 badge and to act as a frame to "show it off". The women would be proud to have done their 'patriotic duty' working in a local factory.
When I first saw them together I thought that possibly they might be worn together on "outdoor" clothing and then separated so that the basic badge could be worn on working clothes in the factory.
However :
1. Continually separating them would risk damage/loss and pin pricks to the fingers.
2. Based on the few certificates available the backplate and certificates were presented to the workers in December 1918 when their employment ended due to returning servicemen taking over their jobs.
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