Translator badge : egyptian head ww1.

[Vincent]

This badge is originally french and usually indicated the rank of translator. It was sold in the north of France with differents british cap badges, all were ww1... Someone told me it was used by british translator and was put on the arm, on the uniform. Is that right ? This badge is shown in a reference british book, do you known which one ? Thanks.

[Snowdrop 68]

The translator badge is shown in Cox's book Vincent in the British section. Don't have it to hand though.

Hope this helps

Bill

[zob]

Hi Eddie,

Fascinating point - I have two of these WW1 Interpreter's Arm-badges both large and small pattern. I've always been given to understand that it was worn by (European) British Army Interpreter's. However, it would be interesting to know if Non-Europeans could also qualify when attached to the British armed forces during the Great War.

Regards,

Zob.

[Vincent]

Thanks to everyone to spend time about this badge.
It could be interesting to know, if possible, the origin of the most of this badge found by us (fairs, family heritage, collection...). This one is coming from western front ww1.

[Vincent]

I have seen in a book that the french military translator wear this kind of egyptian's head on their buttons from 1874 to 1914. I do not known if they wear a special badge in this time...

[54Bty]

I do not normally ask this type of question, but, would anyone care to put a £ value on one of these small badges?
Marc

Hi Marc £50-£65


peter

[54Bty]

Here is mine;

[badgecollector]

hi guys
just to add the australian Interpreter's wore this arm badge in WW1
same design as the french badge
bc

[dragonz18]

I recall a reference to this badge from a book (post WW1 ,privately published memoirs of a British army Officer) where the author refered to seeing Intepreters in France 'with their distinctive 'Sphinx head' badges')
I have had several in the last 30 odd years of collecting. No large ones ,but 2 variants of fixing,both are shown above.....2x 'U' shaped tapes( I think both NS & EW types,may be found here ? ), & the 4x 'direct' fixed, pointed tapes . French made style ,not British.
I believe/am told, that the 2x british 'loops' varieties are 'duds/copies', though they are very well made.

Cheers!
Steve

[Eddie Parks]

If anyone has a spare please contact me. Eddie

[Vincent]

I Should ask to french military collectors to know more about that badges. Never seen that badge in ww2. Anyone knows ?

[fearnaught]

Hi, the Americans wore it as well in WW1 remember an article in ASMIC some while ago, will try to look it up. Mike

[Mica70]

Originally Posted by Vincent

This badge is originally french and usually indicated the rank of translator. It was sold in the north of France with differents british cap badges, all were ww1... Someone told me it was used by british translator and was put on the arm, on the uniform. Is that right ? This badge is shown in a reference british book, do you known which one ? Thanks.

The French, British and Americans all wore this Sphinx collar insignia. It was also worn by translators participating at the Paris Peace Conference. I have some pictures and a copy of an article I will add later. There was a patch worn on the left shoulder with the sphinx in gold bullion on a gray blue felt patch. Have a picture of a U.S. uniform with it on. It was sometimes worn in lieu of rank. I saw it embroidered on a 1st Army patch.

[peter monahan]

The badge represents the Sphinx, not a pharaoh or other Egyptian.

The Sphinx spoke in riddles and in the language of whoever addressed it, so it was a natural choice for a translators' badge but didn't imply facility in Arabic. In fact, if you google it, you'll find a number of 'Sphinx' translation services and language schools.