Comrades of the Great War. - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

hindoostan · #1 21-07-21, 01:21 PM

This is an early larger gilt version. Does any one know if you can identify the recipient from the official number stamped on the back?
Cheers
John

peter monahan · #2 21-07-21, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hindoostan

Does any one know if you can identify the recipient from the official number stamped on the back?

Sadly, probably not. There doesn't seem to have been a central registry for the official War Service badges. I've just this week come across a Canadian who has the serial number of his scrawled across the top corner of his attestation paper - that is, the top page of his service file. But, after looking at 450-500 individual records of CEF members, this is the first time I've seen this.

mike_vee · #3 21-07-21, 04:22 PM

I've got both sizes of the "Comrades" badge , I think the member numbers were probably recorded locally and that there was not a "central" list.

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dumdum · #4 22-07-21, 07:17 AM

Hi Mike and others with an interest in the Comrades,

Yes, a bit like the BL, the association numbers have gone long ago.....

I bought an SWB and a Comrades badge some time back so I'm picking that it is his badge but maybe the seller just put them together. However, you do find stuff that has managed to stay together over the years.

For example an SWB with an assortment of badges, including an RE badge, turned out to be....someone in the RE!

The Comrades had a Certificate of Comradeship and this bears a number down one side that will, I would guess, be the badge number. I have one for Richard Grant but I think I'll give up on the search for him!

I've also posted a photo of a Comrades membership card (about the size of an old driver's licence) and that has name, branch and address but...it didn't come with a badge!

dumdum · #5 23-07-21, 07:17 AM

Hi

Here is a Comrades membership card and an associated badge that I've previously posted but might be of interest to those who've not seen one.

After my post about the impossibility of trying to locate "Richard Grant", I reckon I've got even less chance with "J.Smith"......

dumdum · #6 23-07-21, 07:21 AM

I see that there is a space for badge number but it has been left blank.

Nevertheless there is a number, top right! Badge number and membership number?

Also it cost 1/6d to stay financial...