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  #16  
Old 15-03-12, 12:24 AM
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Hi guys,

Having just bought an example of this badge, I was wondering (as were others) what ''the inverted 'T' and (what looks like) a truncated number '8'represent'' ?



Cheers

Phil
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Last edited by Phil2M; 15-03-12 at 12:35 AM.
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  #17  
Old 15-03-12, 06:12 AM
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The "truncated 8" is either the second sign of the zodiac (Taurus the bull) or if inverted a Germanic runic symbol (used for deception purposes as the formation sign of the notional British Fourth Army in World War 2.
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  #18  
Old 15-03-12, 07:53 AM
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The sign is the astrological sign for Mercury.
Quicksilver

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Jackson View Post
The "truncated 8" is either the second sign of the zodiac (Taurus the bull) or if inverted a Germanic runic symbol (used for deception purposes as the formation sign of the notional British Fourth Army in World War 2.
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  #19  
Old 15-03-12, 09:30 AM
Peter J
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The sign is the astrological sign for Mercury.
Quicksilver
Makes perfect sense. In Greek mythology, Mercury/Hermes was the quick-footed messenger of the gods.

Thanks Quicksilver - now that you have pointed that out, it seems obvious .

Super badge, by the way.

Regards to all,

Peter.
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  #20  
Old 15-03-12, 09:33 AM
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Mike Jackson Mike Jackson is offline
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The sign is the astrological sign for Mercury.
Quicksilver
That certainly makes more sense than my ramblings!
Mike
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  #21  
Old 15-03-12, 02:45 PM
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Thanks guys,

That was quite clever of them, given the design, if it included the figure of Mercury, would very closely resemble (from any distance away) the Royal Corps of Signals cap badge.

Thanks

Phil
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  #22  
Old 08-06-14, 09:49 PM
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Hi,

I was reading this thread as I was looking up this badge, the same one shown above for the Cable & Wireless Service. In the add for this badge, it states that it's WW2. But in some online research I came up with an alternative as 1914-18.

This brass badge is titled Telegraph Cable Service and bears the mottos Oceanus non Dissociat [the ocean does not separate] and Sub Mari Ubique [everywhere under the sea]. A shield with crossed grapnel and mushroom anchor is guarded by two mermaids; the design is surmounted by an eagle and has laurel branches underneath. The badge has a tab on the back so that it can be worn in a buttonhole.

The maker is identified on the back of the badge as Firmin & Sons, St. Martin's Lane, London, but there is no indication of who commissioned it. Fortunately, the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum in Cornwall, which holds the archive of Cable & Wireless and its predecessor companies, has documents which identify it as a World War I Service Badge issued by the Eastern Telegraph Company to its employees who remained on cable duty during wartime.

Can someone if they can confirm if it's great war or WW2.

Cheers

Simon.
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  #23  
Old 09-06-14, 04:04 AM
Quicksilver Quicksilver is offline
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Hi Simon,
I have one on eBay at present. It was sent to me many years ago from Cable & Wireless and explained as a WW2 badge for staff who were on essential service in Britain. The other badge in antique silver colour was for active service sections of the company as they followed HQs around. This was so that they would be treated as POWs rather than spies.
Quicksilver
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  #24  
Old 09-06-14, 11:04 AM
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Hi QUICKSILVER, found it on e bay and now watching it. It would be nice to go with my TELCOM BADGE.
Jerry.
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  #25  
Old 09-06-14, 01:44 PM
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Thanks Quicksiler, WW2 then. It's all yours Jerry, good luck.

Cheers
Simon.
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  #26  
Old 09-06-14, 03:29 PM
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I was keeping an eye on it myself, nevermind.
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  #27  
Old 09-06-14, 10:55 PM
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The one on eBay has the number 1659 stamped on the crescent on the back and is made by Firmin at St Martines Lane London. Very well made.
Quicksilver
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  #28  
Old 10-06-14, 07:54 AM
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A very nice badge (I have serial 1752)

Had to get it to match my other crossed purposes badges:
The Rakes in the Wiltshire, Sickles in the Military Grass Farms
and the Crossed Teeth in the IA Dental Corps.
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  #29  
Old 11-06-14, 03:15 PM
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I was keeping an eye on it myself, nevermind.
I was as well, as were a few others, I have no doubt.

The item has been pulled as "No longer available".

Stinks, IMHO - the worst trick on eBay.

cheers,

Andy C
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  #30  
Old 11-06-14, 04:02 PM
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SORRY GUYS, That was me, there were no bids on this badge so I made an offer to the seller and it was accepted.
I am properly not the first to do this and I think I will not be the last. I took the chance and won.

Jerry.
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