E.N.S.A. Insignia

[Aberdeen Medals]

Below attached is an illustration of several variant ENSA badges that I have recently obtained and am trying to positively identify.

My understanding of the badges is that the bronze badge (having 2 blades on reverse) is the the standard 'cap badge', while the same badge but in white metal was worn on lapels in 'mufti by men and the white enamelled badge (with pin back) was for wear on lapels in 'mufti' by women - this white badge also has additional letter 'A' as the top point and is believed to denote an 'Amateur' artiste member of ENSA as opposed to the proffesional artistes.

Curiously the remaining white metal lapel badge would also appear to be another 'Amateurs' variant, but with the letter 'A' having been sheared off at some point - presumably denoting the rites of passage form being an 'Amateur' to a 'Professional' artiste. This last thought being not too unfanciful bearing in mind why anyone would otherwise have wished to reamin identified as an 'Amateur' if they were not!

Anyhting substantive anyone can add to confirm or expand on above assumptions / identifications would be appreciated.

Yours aye,
Mark

[engr9266]

I currently only have a white metal badge with button hole fixing in my collection. I was once told that the "A" on the top of the ENSA badge stood for "ARTIST" or "ADMINISTRATOR".
I have seen the bronze badge with blades, pin back, slider and with lugs. The white enameled badge comes both with pin back and button hole fixing and the badge with the top "A" has a pin back. There is also a brass badge with pin back.

[grey_green_acorn]

I can't comment on the insignia but ENSA (Entertainment National Service Association) was affectionately referred to by soldiers as "Every Night Something Awful"! That said many British actors, musicians and comedians active on stage, screen and TV in the 1950s and beyond started their careers in uniform entertaining troops.

[Luc]

For reference and entertainment, my ENSA buttonhole badge.