WOMAN'S VOLUNTEER RESERVE BADGE

[CHILLIWACK]

Picked up this badge this week. Its the WOMAN'S VOLUNTEER RESERVE BADGE (EDMONTON). As in Davids Soltess Collectors Guide CD. I too have only seen one of these badges and that's the badge displayed. Only thing different with the badge described on the CD and mine is the metal. I have a brass one.

[Bill A]

Rare badge. These units were eventually absorbed into the CWAC. Some of the WVRC units also have cloth shoulder titles or patches.

[CHILLIWACK]

Thanks Bill.

[GTB]

See my thread under WVR badge

Rgds

GTB

[Bill A]

Hi GTB, Could you post the link to your thread? (Is is named WVR? A search didn't turn up a thread under that title.)

[Bill A]

This is interesting. The WVR was formed in the UK during the First World War, while the WVR in Canada appears to have been a Second World War organization. With the beaver the badge is attributed to a Canadian organization. Chilliwack is there any maker marking on your badge?

[DavidS]

Since my first guide was done, I found out this was a WWI woman's group, and it's not related to any of the WWII women's volunteer groups. I'll correct this if and when I get to a 2nd edition. My grand total for examples I've seen has now climbed to a staggering three

[Bill A]

Thanks David, So the Women's Volunteer Reserve Corps was not connected in any way to the First World War entity?
Do you have anything further on the First World War organization?

[DavidS]

Not connected at all, as far as I could find. They seem to have had some association with the Legion of Frontiersmen and if nothing else, liked to parade a lot

I could only dig up two references to them, one in a 1915 Edmonton obituary that said, "Among the large number who followed the body to its last resting place where a detachment of the Women’s Volunteer Reserve in uniform, under Honorary Colonel Moorhouse."

The other also is funeral-related:

"The night before her [Mrs. Justus Duncan Willson] memorial parade in Edmonton’s river valley, ladies (likely associated with the LF as the late Mrs. Willson was), were reported to have formed a “Women’s Volunteer corps” that paraded with the Legion of Frontiersmen at the memorial service. This body of women, the Women’s Voluntary Reserve appeared associated with the Edmonton Command home guard’s efforts. Sometime later, it is known that the W.V.R., led by the 101st Regiment’s Bugle Band, “presented a very smart appearance in their khaki uniforms” as they paraded to Government House for inspection by the Lieutenant Governor on October 13, 1915."

[Bill A]

A duh moment for me. It is listed in Babin, as 42-6.
Chilliwack, could you send either Larry or me a high res image and permission to use it in the CEF project?

[GTB]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Hi GTB, Could you post the link to your thread? (Is is named WVR? A search didn't turn up a thread under that title.)

Yes, thread is 'titled WVR badge'.http://britishbadgeforum.com/forums/...ad.php?t=39663. You posted in it, incidentally.
GTB

[Bill A]

Thanks GTB. I couldn't recall that thread. The search function on this Forum leaves a lot to be desired. I did around 5 different combinations of searches and this did not come back. Even the basic search with WVR.

[GTB]

That thread contained a lot of useful information. It's good to have an update with the current thread

[CHILLIWACK]

i sent Larry a copy, the same as I had posted on this thread. Did you receive it Larry? If not I can send another picture. I looked on the back of the badge and found a makers mark.
JACKSON BROS.

[LLWill]

Yes I received the image (plus a set of Wings) Nice badge, very good image

Thanks