Info on sweetheart badges?

[Kate L]

Before today I had never heard of sweetheart badges, and I'm curious to know more.
When my mother died recently, we found an RAF brooch badge in her posession. We assumed that it was some kind of dress badge, but having just searched for photos, I've discovered that it is a 'sweetheart' badge. The badge is very likely this one: http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/britai...etheart5.shtml except that the central RAF lettering is in royal blue, not red.
I gather that sweetheart badges were bought by the serviceman for their nearest and dearest, but I can find little more about this. I'm intrigued, as my father didn't meet my mother until some years after he was demobbed (he served ca 1942-1946/7 and they met in 1951). Where would he have bought the badge from? Would he have bought it while he was serving (which raises questions about who he bought it for)?, or could he have bought it after he met my mother?
Hope that you can enlighten me or point me in the direction of more information.
Thanks, Kate

[54Bty]

These badges could be and still can be purchased from; Service Organisations, Ex-Service Organisations, Regiments, Corps, Museum Shops, and Jewllers.

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Kate L

Before today I had never heard of sweetheart badges, and I'm curious to know more.
When my mother died recently, we found an RAF brooch badge in her posession. We assumed that it was some kind of dress badge, but having just searched for photos, I've discovered that it is a 'sweetheart' badge. The badge is very likely this one: http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/britai...etheart5.shtml except that the central RAF lettering is in royal blue, not red.
I gather that sweetheart badges were bought by the serviceman for their nearest and dearest, but I can find little more about this. I'm intrigued, as my father didn't meet my mother until some years after he was demobbed (he served ca 1942-1946/7 and they met in 1951). Where would he have bought the badge from? Would he have bought it while he was serving (which raises questions about who he bought it for)?, or could he have bought it after he met my mother?
Hope that you can enlighten me or point me in the direction of more information.
Thanks, Kate

Hi Kate,

Sweetheart badges are as you know very pretty and there was a vairety of types produced: small circular polished - tortoise shell (which often had a silver rim and regimental device central) broaches, Mother of pearl again with regimental badge in the centre - these were made prior to just after the first war with a silver rim which was later dropped, enamelled, plated, guilded - there are endless types of these little gems. It's actually a really interesting field to collect and the badges are of course very dainty... prices range depending on the quality, condition and age but you can still pick ww2 enammeled sweethearts up for a few quid.

Hope that helps a little .

Luke

[Peter Brydon]

Kate,

If you want to see some very nice examples at the top end of the market,if you visit Bosleys Military Auctioneers site, their is a link to their associated Military Sweethearts site.

P.B.

[Bantam]

Hi Kate,
Probably the standard reference work on sweetheart badges is Military Sweetheart Jewellery by Pamela M.Caunt in 3 editions.The Guides sell for aound £7.00 each and covers every area of sweetheart badges with profuse photographs of the badges.
Good Luck
Regards
Bantam

[Stanley_C_Jenkins]

I believe this is an example of a WWII Royal Artillery sweetheart badge:

[Mike]

sweetheart typical assortment........ (black watch is probably a vets lapel though)..... mother of pearl backing is a common design theme, small regiment badge on a rifle too, see last image of my pride and joy, The Northumberland fusiliers.

these things can be as simple as a regimental button soldered onto a pin, right up to gold encrusted with diamonds and worth hundreds of pounds.

Stanley looks like he has a gold Artillery one (post above) which is nice.

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Kate L

Before today I had never heard of sweetheart badges, and I'm curious to know more.
When my mother died recently, we found an RAF brooch badge in her posession. We assumed that it was some kind of dress badge, but having just searched for photos, I've discovered that it is a 'sweetheart' badge. The badge is very likely this one: http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/britai...etheart5.shtml except that the central RAF lettering is in royal blue, not red.
I gather that sweetheart badges were bought by the serviceman for their nearest and dearest, but I can find little more about this. I'm intrigued, as my father didn't meet my mother until some years after he was demobbed (he served ca 1942-1946/7 and they met in 1951). Where would he have bought the badge from? Would he have bought it while he was serving (which raises questions about who he bought it for)?, or could he have bought it after he met my mother?
Hope that you can enlighten me or point me in the direction of more information.
Thanks, Kate

Kate,
Don't take this the wrong way, but what makes you think that the badge she had was bought for her by her husband. It could have been a momento from someone else... From what you have said, it doesn't sound like the sort of thing he would have brought her.
My Mum (was in the ATS) lived in London during the war and didn't get married until 1946. She also had an RAF brooch hidden away - and she only showed it to me after my stepfather died... Her RAF "sweetheart" was a bomber crew member and never came back - like so many. What can I say.
david

[InterestedInMilitaryBadge]

Hi there,

I have one of these badges too! It was given to me a while back, it’s not in great condition.

Description:

White wings
Blue center with RAF in gold in middle of blue center
Small crown on top
Wreath (gold, but may of been coloured) around blue center
Small ring on bottom of it

Can anyone tell me when it’s from? Thanks!

[fougasse1940]

Welcome, an image would be most helpful, but otherwise, depending on what shape of crown, 1918-1953 or 1953-present. I take it there are no maker marks?

Rgds, Thomas