War Service mystery badge?

[dumdum]

Grateful for any suggestions regarding the background to this bronze(?) badge, with traces of having been gilt at some point. Maker is H.B. Sale, Birm.

Was wondering if it was a badge for active war service or if it was in recognition of services rendered post-war.

A clue to its origin may be the remains of the purple ribbon, possibly for the addition of service bars.

It clearly is some "official" issue as it is numbered ("N 381").

OK, what is the considered opinion of the Forum?

[mike_vee]

Not one that I have seen before . Only other photo I can find is one previously sold (?) but no details/listing available.

Am curious , is there anything on the bar under the ribbon ? If the ribbon was for additional service bars you would expect the original badge to have the 'first issued' date like the official OWS badges.

.

[dumdum]

Hi Mike

Thanks again! You've probably found the picture of the badge that I bought! It was another, relatively cheap buy and I just felt that there must be some story to it.

Yes, I'm there ahead of you as I gently pulled back the ribbon. It looks to be a plain bar with no text on it. How the heck they stitched that on...

It must have been for the addition of bars showing extra service or some position held within a group. Certainly for wear by a man.

Normally I'd just say that it's one of those obscure "service" badges that seemed to be issued by everybody from the Boy Scouts to the Coco Cubs but with a number this suggests a higher level of organisation.

The search continues...