Named 'Returned From Active Service' Badge 1914-18

[Aberdeen Medals]

Below appended is an illustration of a 'Returned From Active Service' badge issued to service personnel for services in the Great War.

What makes this particular badge the more interesting and unusual is that it has been additionally named by the recipient in a contmeporary to the period style. This badge being named to;

- L.H. Bailey, 9th Btn

Leslie Hubert Bailey had a stunning record of service during the Great War. Not only did he serve at Gallipoli and later in France, but was Mentioned-in-Despatches at Gallipoli, three times Wounded-in-Action in France, decorated with the Military Medal, and subsequently commissioned an Officer.

I am sure Bailey's badge is not unique as a named badge, but suspect it is at least uncommon. Is it?

If anyone can shed any light on having sighted other named badges, I would be interested to learn of same.

Yours aye,
Mark

[slick_mick]

They were all issued un-named. At a guess, this was probably privately done by the recipient.

It's actually the 1st time I have seen one of these where someone has had it named.

Mick

[Aberdeen Medals]

Thanks for your comments and remark about never having seen a named one before. I concur with you that it's a privately named piece.

I wonder where his Military Medal and Trio now reside - wherever they may be, at least this privately named badge can be researched and enjoyed by collectors basis the availability of a huge personnel file (more then 120 pages) being available on-line for this brave AIF soldier.

Yours aye,
Mark

[dumdum]

Hi

I have seen Silver War Badges named and have one engraved with the NZ soldier's service number on it (this is useful as our SWB roll has "vanished" over the years.

I also have a NSW Returned Soldier's Association badge with the name "S. Sutton" on it.

Our Returned Soldier's Association was the only organisation to use your service number as your association number and this was put on the badge.

When I can work out how to attach photos, I'll post a few of these.....
No laughing at my computer ineptitude, please!

[dumdum]

Hi

Yep this is done in a fairly standard "local jeweller's style". You will find the same "house style" on endless numbers of returned fobs, sporting trophies and prizes,etc.

I think that Bailey's war record meant that he had all the more reason to personalise his badge.

You would have your work cut out to get this done today. Hand engraving is a dying art....

[Lancer 17]

I have a family members medals and paper work including his discharge certificate, The certificate has 2 rubber stamps on the back, one for the Uk silver returned badge and the other for the Aussie returned badge, each has the badge number filled in on the rubber stamp that corresponds with the number on the back of the badge.

Regards

Phil.