Posted 10 years ago
LOUMANAL
(436 items)
Over a million of these Sterling Silver badges were issued, with an official certificate of entitlement. Initially they were given to servicemen who had been honorably discharged through wounds or sickness. The aim was to reward the man's service, and to legitimate his civilian status when so many others were in uniform. After the Armistice, civilians who had served with the RAMC, female nurses, VAD's and members of QMAAC could also apply, if they had been retired or discharged through wounds or sickness or on attaining the age of 51.
It was also known as the "Silver War Badge", the "Wounded Badge" or the "King's Silver Badge". The initials GRI stand for GEORGE REX IMPERATOR with FOR KING AND EMPIRE above the crown and SERVICES RENDERED below. I suppose that research could be done to find out whose badge this was and for what reason was this medal issued to him or her since each individual badge is numbered and records were kept by the Army. Some badges were marked with a B or an O before the numbering system; this one has a C so was probably issued to a Canadian Soldier. If anyone can trace the owner from the numbers on the back, I'd appreciate the information. This badge was found at a Flea Market with no info. on provenance. RER
How sad you found it a flea market...but! how wonderful YOU! found it..I do hope you manage to get the information!...:-)
I am not sure what the “C” prefix might mean, but badge number 55762 was issued to Private Rupert Bishop, 1st Bucks Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Enlisted 28 September 1914, discharged 30 March 1915 due to sickness. He did not serve overseas. I can post a photocopy of the page of the medal records where his name appears if you wish.
I just checked, and you are right that a C prefix should denote Canadian - but the Ox and Bucks isn't a Canadian Regiment perhaps there was a second set of otherwise identical numbers? I'll keep looking
Hi Chrispnp! Could he have moved to Canada after his discharge and be awarded a Badge by Canada instead of the Brits? I appreciate this information and thanks for the Love to you and for aghcollect, DrFluffy, Jono, vetraio50, inky, tom61375, and Peterdrury. BOB