Mystery Canadian Badge by Birks-Ellis

[Adam H]

Hello all,

This badge was included in a sizable lot of militaria and despite considerable searching online, and in my reference library, I'm completely stumped.

It's about collar badge size, needle pin. Fire gilt and silver, riveted construction is very similar to Canadian officers' badges of Second World War and earlier.

The Tudor crown and wreath give it a military appearance, but the crest in the centre doesn't fit with any military organisation I'm familiar with, including all the various OTCs and Cadet organisations. I haven't found a match with a Canadian school, college or university as yet but the motto "Science at Home" suggests an education connection, perhaps.

The centre crest appears to depict a capital "S", a shield with crossed hammers or mallets of some sort and further detail in the middle. Below is the numeral "42"

Anyone familiar with this badge?

Really curious to know as I'm usually fairly good and ID'ing things I come across.

Cheers,

Adam

[Adam H]

Here is the reverse. Sorry the photos aren't great but I don't have a good camera handy...

[Phillip Herring]

The centre device looks like Queen's University.
Possibly Engineering Society, Mining Engineering or Geology.
Class of 1942, perhaps?

[Adam H]

Phillip,

Thanks for your reply. I think you're certainly on to something here. The insignia appears to match the Queen's one.

A google search has revealed that the "Science at Home" was what the annual Engineering balls we once called. However, this seems a rather expensive badge to produce for a one evening event.

Perhaps an award of some sort...anyone have a guess at the specific use?

I agree the "42" suggests possibly the class of '42 or simply commemorating the year of 1942.

There is another badge that came from the same source that I knew was not military, and judging from the colours...I'd say it also has a connection to Queen's. It's dated 1841-1941 so this would support the theory the badge discussed is from 1942.

A bit of a weird one!

Adam

[Blackadder1916]

Originally Posted by Adam H

Phillip,
There is another badge that came from the same source that I knew was not military, and judging from the colours...I'd say it also has a connection to Queen's. It's dated 1841-1941 so this would support the theory the badge discussed is from 1942.

Queen's celebrated its centennial in 1941 so an item marked "1841-1941" would likely have been commonplace. As for the importance of social events, a quick look through the Queen's Journal (the student paper) of the era seems to indicate that a great deal of energy (from student associations and in student politics) was expended in the planning and execution of such events.