Woman's Canadian Naval Auxiliaries Badge

[GregN]

Hi all, I picked this interesting badge up yesterday, one I've never seen before. I thought I'd share it with you all. The badge is beautifully enameled and is flat backed, with a long pin and locked clasp, marked BIRKS. I searched A Collector's Guide to Canadian Army Cap Badges: 1920-1952 by David Soltess. Dave's book is typically fantastic but this badge is not in the book so I had to dig a bit deeper.

The Woman's Canadian Naval Auxiliaries appears to part of the Woman's Auxiliaries Naval Headquarters. The only reference I could find was a Google Search that lead me to a article in the Ottawa Citizen, Aug. 15, 1941.

The WANH was like many non-official home front woman's organizations that dedicated in this case to the health and welfare of naval personal in the RCN, RN and Merchant Marine. It appears that its' primary focus was on the east coast ports.

Buried in the Ottawa Citizen article is an interesting comment "While on duty in the offices the volunteer workers will wear smart navy blue smocks bearing the official naval auxiliary badge, a green maple leak with a white ensign."

I've attached an image with a random PPCLI badge as a indicator of size.

Regards,

Greg

[Bill A]

Thanks for posting that Greg. I had not heard of that organization until today. It is interesting that like many of the other women's "volunteer" organizations, a uniform was worn.

[Roy]

Thanks Greg,

Lovely quality badge, well done!

Cheers, Roy.

[QSAMIKE]

Good to see you at the Gun Show Greg.......

Did you see this one for sale at the show.......

Mike

[GregN]

Yes I did although I didn't ask the price. Its funny that I had not ever seen the badge then in the space of 3 weeks, had one, bought another as an upgrade, then sold one and then see another.

I'm not sure if its as rare as I thought it was but the information was hard to find. It took me a while to find the information on the badge and I haven't been able to find the reference since!

Cheers,

Greg