RAF Civilian WWII lapel badges

[wasaraftype]

Hi all,

Attached are images of what I believe is the full set of RAF WWII civilian worker lapel badges.

Does anyone know what these 4 badges actually represent? The late Dave Parsons has them annotated as 'Security' badges but nothing more.

From the high number actually issued it is a bit perplexing to ascertain their true purpose.

Also, all mine have horseshoe fittings; I wonder if anybody has them with a pin back finish.

3 are made by Dingley with the top right one being made by Gaunt.

Any comments would be most welcome.


Regards,

Graham

[Home Guard]

Don't know much about them, but they are VERY nice!!!

Terry

[Insignia]

I too have examples of these lapel badges, and despite having found references to them in Air Ministry Orders they don’t clarify where the different badges were used.

All of the examples I’ve seen have horseshoe fittings.

[Alanp]

I've seen these badges and others like them for a number of different organisations/companies, all numbered. As far as I'm aware they're worn in the lapel of a jacket and act like a pass to a factory, if you aren't wearing abadge you aren't coming in.

I have three of the four pictured but I also have some for SARO, Gloster and Armstrong Whitwoth. The SARO badges are different colours for different sites

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Alanp

I've seen these badges and others like them for a number of different organisations/companies, all numbered. As far as I'm aware they're worn in the lapel of a jacket and act like a pass to a factory, if you aren't wearing abadge you aren't coming in.

EDIT :This is based on photo in post#3

Badge 1 described as :

War Workers badge

Although one site describes it as :

The Deferred Service Badge
The Deferred Service Badge was a lapel badge given to men who had been accepted into the RAF, but for various reasons their service had been deferred. This badge prevented them being labelled cowards or the like! Each one was individually numbered.

https://www.ww2wings.com/wings/brita...insignia.shtml


Badge 2 :

Worn as an official identification for civilians On Government Work serving on RAF Airfields, etc.

Badge 3 described as :

Worn as an official identification for civilians On Government Work serving on RAF Airfields, etc.

https://www.sallybosleysbadgeshop.co...php?code=63682

Although one site has a different opinion :

This is a Royal Air Force veterans' lapel badge from World War I. The badge shows an eagle on a field of emerald enamel and reads ROYAL AIR FORCE 70812.

https://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/...pel-badge.html

Badge4 :

War Workers badge

.

[mike_vee]

Britton's Badges describes first badge (from post #3) as :

A PRE SERVICE RAF LAPEL BADGE

https://www.brittonsbadges.co.uk/en-...dge/prod_10932

[mike_vee]

Could the "Deferred Service Badge" identification be (wrongly ) based on an assumption ?

Photo is quote from "The Royal Air Force in American Skies" by Tom Killebrew , which mentions a "special lapel badge".

Yet a post from 2020 states :

Many of those eventually called up had the beginning of their active service deferred for some time after their initial recruitment but were issued with an RAFVR lapel badge to signify their enlistment.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...93&postcount=2

.

[grey_green_acorn]

Is this the RAFVR lapel badge?

Tim

[Insignia]

This is an example of the official RAFVR numbered badge relating to the certificate illustrated by Postwarden

https://www.sallybosleysbadgeshop.co...php?code=62332

[wasaraftype]

Thanks to all who replied.

It seems no definitive answer is available to clarify exactly what each badge type signifies, except that they are all, probably worker related.

Unfortunately, anyone who actually wore these badges has been long gone to actually verify their use, hopefully something will turn up in print or photo's in the future.


Regards,

Graham