Recess Antiques

Description

Port Of London Authority
World War One
Service Badge
No. 353
Maker J. A. Wylie & Co

Before conscription was introduced in 1916, the army relied on voluntary recruitment. It was assumed by many that a man not in uniform was avoiding joining up and was therefore often accused of shirking their duty to their country. The famous white feather campaign saw men not in uniform presented with a white feather as a symbol of cowardice.

The official badges were intended to prove that the wearer was doing their duty to their country in a time of war in a different way. They were not in uniform, but they may have been working in munitions factories, railways or in the dockyards carrying out work that was vital to the war effort.

After conscription, the need for these badges faded, along with the white feather campaign. However, many continued to be worn throughout the war, especially by female shift workers for whom the badge could give priority boarding and fare concessions on public transport, as well as indicating that there was nothing disreputable about these ladies travelling alone at night.

The enamel shows some discolourisation to the left above the crown and a little enamel loss to the right of the crown. There is wear to the gold lettering. There is also a pin hole under the curve of the R in War along with surface marks associated with normal use and age. Please see photos.
Approximate dimensions: diameter 28mm, weight 10.7 grams.
The badge does show signs of its age but it is a rare find.
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