Imperial Service Munitions badge

[dumdum]

Attached is a photo of a fairly common badge relating to Munitions production.

Apart from the fact that the condition of this example is one of the best that I've seen, I would be keen to know any more information about the scheme.

Was it similar to the Australian Munitions badge or did it have another function?

Any info appreciated!

[mike_vee]

During WW1 Sir W.G.Armstrong Whitworth & Co were large manufacturers of Aeroplanes, Airships, Warships, Submarines, Motor Vehicles, Tractors, Guns, Munitions etc.

Originally they had a separate "branch" , The Elswick Ordnance Company , purely for armaments but in 1864 was reunited with the main company to form Sir W.G. Armstrong & Company.

Elswick Ordnance was a major arms developer before and during World War I. The ordnance and ammunition it manufactured for the British Government were stamped EOC, while guns made for export were usually marked "W.G. Armstrong".

Your badge appears to be typical of the WW1 "war service" badges and would have been issued to workers at the munitions factories (before the 'official' badges were introduced). Have seen badges with numbers approaching 50,000 , so it would appear that they were issued at various sites.


NB. Most I have seen have been stamped on the buttonhole fitting but Sally Bosley has one with the number stamped on the badge itself.
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[dumdum]

Hello Mike

Thanks for your informative reply. I now better understand this badge. I've got a couple of them already but saw this one and bought it as it was fairly cheap and in very good nick. Should I say that it was significantly less expensive than the badge you mention?

My badge is also numbered on the badge (10021) and I think that Sally B's is close to mine in number.

Any thoughts on the other photo I posted?

Thanks again!