Cool silver badge

[cudamark]

I just got back from my England detecting trip. Didn't find much of note, but, I though this silver badge was pretty cool. From what little research I've done on it, it appears to be something given to WW1 vets for their service in the war. About the size of our half dollars. I found it in a paddock area, so, that's probably why it's in such good shape. If it had been a farm field, most likely the plow would have dinged it a few times and the fertilizer may have etched it a bit.

 

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[The Rebel]

Nice save!

 

[Red-Coat]

Neat find. It’s properly known as the “Silver War Badge”, first issued in September 1916 to UK and British Empire military service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War I. It was also retrospectively awarded to those who had been discharged between August 1914 and September 1916. Eligibility ended for those discharged after 31 December 1919. It’s also sometimes referred to as the “Wound Badge” since that was the most common (but not the only) reason for its issue.

The badge was issued with a certificate of entitlement which stated that the recipient had “Served with Honour” if the person had served in an active war zone. It was only allowed to be worn on civilian clothes (usually on the right breast), not on a uniform and served a secondary purpose. Men of fighting age with no obvious disability who were not in uniform were often ostracised in public during the war, arising from a suspicion that they might be conscientious objectors or ‘draft-dodgers.’ The badge served to protect the wearer from unwarranted criticism.

Each badge is uniquely numbered on the reverse and the War Office maintained registers recording the names of each recipient. Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Rhodesia maintained their own registers of issue, which were copied to the War Office in London to provide a master-record, but the master list was destroyed in the later 20th Century.

The War Office made it known that it would not replace lost badges, but if one was handed in to a police station then it would be returned to the War Office, who would attempt to return it to the original recipient.

 

[billb]

I just got back from my England detecting trip. Didn't find much of note, but, I though this silver badge was pretty cool. From what little research I've done on it, it appears to be something given to WW1 vets for their service in the war. About the size of our half dollars. I found it in a paddock area, so, that's probably why it's in such good shape. If it had been a farm field, most likely the plow would have dinged it a few times and the fertilizer may have etched it a bit.View attachment 2172723

Really nice work
It’s in fantastic condition.
Congratulations on your success

 

[cudamark]

Thanks Red-Coat. Does anyone still have a copy of the registration numbers? It has a number on the back and if I can find a family member of the person it was assigned to, I would consider returning it to them.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

An excellent find that's also in great condition - congrats !

 

[Red-Coat]

Thanks Red-Coat. Does anyone still have a copy of the registration numbers? It has a number on the back and if I can find a family member of the person it was assigned to, I would consider returning it to them.

You're welcome, and that's a nice thought.

Yes, UK records still exist in the National Archives, although the list is incomplete.

Sadly, many such records have been 'commercialised' whereby the government makes money by allowing ancestry and genealogy sites exclusive access to compile paper and microfilm records into searchable online databases. Most such sites require subscription payments, and I don't use any that charge for data.
It's still possible to access the original records for free and do your own searches, but only by visiting the National Archives in person at Kew, Richmond in Surrey (only a few miles from me). I have visited in the past, but only to get information about my own family members.

Search for WW1 Soldiers Issued with a Silver War Badge

Discover if your ancestor who served during WWI was issued with a Silver War Badge after being honourably discharged because of injury, wounds or illness

uk.forceswarrecords.com