D G badge?

[dumdum]

Hi all

Still looking to identify this little mystery. Badge is about 40mm across and clearly has some link to the Derby Scheme.

A raised R.D. (Registered Design) mark is on the reverse and this falls within the 1915-16 date range. Badge is pin-backed.

I've speculated that "D....G" is "Derby Group" as the central bit is a clear attempt to render the Derby Scheme armband in enamel but what was its function?

I doubt that this badge is unique but they don't seem to have turned up in their dozens.

Someone, somewhere must know...

[mike_vee]

Interesting thread on Great War Forum.

Derby Scheme recruits

[mike_vee]

Could D.G stand for Discharged Group ?

'Canvassers who were "tactful and influential men" not liable for service; many were experienced political agents. Discharged veterans and fathers of serving men proved most effective.'

"A khaki armband bearing the Royal Crown was to be provided to all who had enlisted or who had been rejected, as well as to starred and discharged men."

Possibly the badge was worn by discharged veterans when they were 'canvassing' to show that they had already done military service rather than the armbands which covered other groups.

There was also a Navy version of the armband.
From GWF :" from Badges & Their Meaning, which was published during the Great War & illustrates the two different armlets. The description in the book states, "The Derby Scheme Armlet [298] is too familiar to need description, but the one for the Navy [300], consisting of a red anchor on a blue ground, is not so frequently seen".

[Postwarden]

This interesting post prompted me to dig out the attached which is a document issued by the Royal Naval Division Recruiting Depot Bristol to Mr Kenneth Griggs with instructions on wearing the Blue Derby Scheme Armlet he has just been issued.

Jon

[dumdum]

Hi all

Many thanks for your various replies. I posted this badge some time back but, while it got lots of views, I don't recall any comments.

It does seem to have some link to the Derby Scheme, unless that khaki armband and red crown is hinting at the one that you mentioned, Mike.

I wonder if D...G is indeed "Derby Group" and was worn by those "tactful & influential men". They wouldn't have worn the armband but they could have worn the badge.

The Rd number on the back could be tracked to a particular design within the Board of Trade archives at PRO (I've even noted the folder that it should be in!) but it would need someone to physically got to PRO for this.

Any volunteers?

And where are all the other examples of this badge?

[GTB]

Derby Girls? (The females were very eager to do their bit)

GTB

[dumdum]

Hi

Again, a really good idea as the badge is indeed pinbacked suggesting a female wearer rather than a male.

Gents, we might be getting somewhere!

[dumdum]

Originally Posted by mike_vee

Interesting thread on Great War Forum.

Derby Scheme recruits

Hi Mike

A really great link you've provided there! Interested to see that the material makes a lot of mention of "Group" (although not in conjunction with the word "Derby"...)

So, that "G" on my badge...... "Group"?

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by GTB

Derby Girls? (The females were very eager to do their bit)

GTB

Although the National Registration Act 1915 was passed on 15 July 1915 , requiring all men and women, between the ages of 15 and 65 to register , I can find no information at all about a female Derby Scheme/Group.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by dumdum

I wonder if D...G is indeed "Derby Group" and was worn by those "tactful & influential men". They wouldn't have worn the armband but they could have worn the badge.

And where are all the other examples of this badge?

That seems plausible , if they weren't eligible to wear the armband they would need some form of 'official' identification.

As the Derby Scheme didn't last for long how many 'canvassers' would there be and how many would not be wearing armbands ?

[dumdum]

Hi Mike

Really good to see some feedback on this one and I appreciate anyone's efforts.

I'm still looking for a member who visits PRO regularly and would like to earn a few quid to look up the Board of Trade file as I think that this will get us even further down (up?) the (garden?) path....

I do have the RD number to hand if anyone is keen.