1915 On War Service pin

[Another Bubble]

Hello all,

I was at a fair this morning & whilst I didn't pick up any badges, I did buy an all brass 1915 On War Service pin. As he was selling it to me, the dealer mentioned that this type all have a different letter on the back, in addition to the number. However, he didn't mention if there was any significance to this & I neglected to ask, so I have 2 questions if anyone can help.

Firstly, does the letter have any significance &, if so, what?

Secondly, were all 26 letters of the alphabet used or were any omitted?

Cheers

Steve

[Another Bubble]

Well, whilst I'm no nearer to any answers, I think I can rule out the only theory that I've been able to find on the subject elsewhere on the internet.

On another forum, in answer to someone else asking a similar question, someone speculated that the letter might relate to the industry that the batch of pins were made for. Given that I've seen at least one other pin online with "X" on the back, I think that theory can be dismissed. I can't imagine xylophone makers being classed as essential for the war effort!

[Madziro]

South African War Service badges all have the letters SA on the reverse with the allocated number. I have also seen some with the letter B and presumed that it was to indicate that the recipient came from the UK (Britain).

[Another Bubble]

Well the one I have has a "T" on the back. I'm beginning to think that the answers to my original questions have been lost to the mists of time.

[Chipper]

and I have one with an "A" + a number. I also tried (unsuccessfully) a few years ago to find out the significance. (the badge was amongst my Grandfathers belongings, so I presume it is authentic?)

Cheers, Tim

[Another Bubble]

I'm led to believe that neither the War Service pins nor the 1916 brooch have been faked, at least not yet.

I also have a 1914 pin like yours but with a "D" on the back. Below are pictures of my 1915 pin.

[Tigerlily]

Well I'm intrigued now, I hope someone finds an answer!

[Chipper]

I seem to recall being told the serial numbers either do not relate, or maybe they just cannot be traced, to a person - unlike, say, a WW2 Nazi party badge which can be traced to a particular individual by the serial number on the back. Whether the records are lost or the number relates to something totally different, I don't know.

I was trying to find out why my Grandfather had one, given he was 15 in 1914. I suppose he could have 'collected' it. At the time all I could establish is the serial numbers (and letters) don't, or now can't be, traced to an individual.

Sorry, that's not much help!

Cheers, Tim

[Tigerlily]

Could it be as simple as that each pin was issued with a unique number letter combo so it could be verified as issued to the wearer, if it needed to be checked? Were't they issued with a certificate as well? And there would be a finite combination of numbers that would fit on the back so necessitating a different letter every so often?

[Nozzer]

Originally Posted by Chipper

I was trying to find out why my Grandfather had one

Did he work in a Dockyard? The one you show is an Admiralty On War service Badge.

Andy

[Another Bubble]

As I understand it, the numbers were used to keep track of who had which pin & a certificate was issued so you could prove you were entitled to the badge if asked to do so by a policeman. If a badge owner changed employer or moved to a different job within the same company that wasn't deemed essential, they had to hand in their badge & certificate. These could then be re-issued to a new employee.

I also believe that Chipper is correct when he says that the badge owners can no longer be traced as the documentation no longer exists. I think that the building where they were held was bombed during WW2, but could be wrong.

Additionally, based on information I've read online, the first Admiralty issued badges in 1914 lacked numbers.

I think the suggestion that letters were used to increase the number of combinations is the most likely answer, unless any further information comes to light.

[Tigerlily]

Not a bad guess then!

[Another Bubble]

It's certainly a plausible theory & a damn sight better than the one I read about them being related to an occupation/trade!

[Chipper]

Originally Posted by Nozzer

Did he work in a Dockyard? The one you show is an Admiralty On War service Badge.

Andy

Hi Andy, it's certainly possible, despite his age. He died in 1942 and sadly by the time I got interested in his life, my Grandmother was starting to get dementia, so her memory was very unreliable. I do know that he was 6' tall at age 16, and was very sporty, so given the times, he would have been a target for the 'white feather brigade'. If he wasn't working on the docks, maybe he somehow procured one so he could get around London unmolested?? Just a theory. Might need to open the case file again and see if I can dig up any more info...

Cheers, Tim

[ASR142]

Originally Posted by Chipper

and I have one with an "A" + a number. I also tried (unsuccessfully) a few years ago to find out the significance. (the badge was amongst my Grandfathers belongings, so I presume it is authentic?)

Cheers, Tim

This example is a WWI Admilarty workers laple badge .cheers steve