Services Rendered Badge.

A few weeks ago my brother inlaw gave me this badge.

I take it that this badge was issued to soldiers no longer fit for service , it is numbered 361872 on the reverse.



I would be garteful if anyone might be able to tell me if there exists a listing of badges issues , I would like to know the name of the previous owner.

"Willie" was doing a loft conversion in his house and found this bade in a corner along with an "Anti-Home Rule badge" .
( His house dates from the late 1980's so he has no idea how it came to be there.)

 

James

I think this is a silver wound Badge from WW1. I have one that I think is my grandfathers on my mothers side, but this has yet to be checked. I believe the PRO/TNA do have such lists. Maybe a query on the WW1 forum might elicit an answer?

Regards
Andy

 

Thanks Andy

 

That badge is known as the "Kings Medal" It is the British equivalent of the USA purple heart

That is WW1 mine is WW2. IT is awarded when you are wounded and draw a war pension. I have worn mine nonstop since 1945
Sapper

 

Yes, it's a Great War Silver War Badge. You can trace them with just a number, but you can only do this through a chap who indexed the rolls in the 1990s. His index was passed on to a medal dealer some time ago, but I don't know who. I am sure someone on the GWF will be able to assist.

The WW2 version was issued for the same reason, but it wasn't just issued for wounds; in WW1 it was given for many other reasons, too; from chronic alcoholism to epilepsy for example. But of course the vast majority of them were indeed for wounds.

 

someone at British Medals Forum • Index page will be able to help

 

This is quite interesting. The media has been making much of the military lately not receiving anything if they are wounded and there has been calls for a 'Purple Heart' type medal to be awarded.

I assume these medals were discontinued after both wars?

Cheers

 

James jst found this on the National Archives site. I thought I'd post it even though its been covered.

The Silver War Badge
The Silver War Badge, sometimes erroneously called the Silver Wound Badge, was authorised in September 1916 and takes the form of a circular badge with the legend "For King and Empire-Services Rendered" surrounding the George V cypher. The badge was awarded to all of those military personnel who were discharged as a result of sickness or wounds contracted or received during the war, either at home or overseas.


Cheers

 

My Grandad was sent home with one of those -WW1 SWB - and a steel plate in his head. I'm just 'Marking' this thread so I'll be reminded to return to it. I'd be interested in locating his. Possibly still in the listed haul of some Dealer?

 

As an aside.When the medal was sent to me, it was described in the documents as "The Kings Medal" Oddly enough although we were severely wounded there was a note informing us that we were still liable for military service?
Sapper

 

but remember, back in the day - if you where a young male, in civvies, you'd be classed as a war dodger etc. The Kings Medal was a visible symbol to say that you HAD served King and Country.

At the beginning of WW! there was an advertising campaign for Young women not to fraternise with non uniformed gentlemen - and to encourage them to join up and 'do their bit'

 

Just added a thread about the King's Badge here:

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/general/16768-kings-badge.html

 

I just received one of these badges the other day. I found the number on the back, but cannot find a way of checking to whom it was awarded. The National Archives Medals Roll Index does not appear to be searchable using just this number. Does anyone have any ideas how I can research this? Thanks, David

 

There were many different forms of badges issued - as well as the wounded soldiers, mainly to stop the 'White Feather' accusations. When I started my apprenticeship in mechanical engineering 1960s there were many toolmakers and engineers who still had these badges in their toolboxes they had been in one of the aircraft factories- 'On Important War Work'. Many in reserved occupations would be given reserved occupation badges.



Steel Workers

 

Returned from Active Service Badge WWII which is a bronzed badge of a combined anchor, rising sun and wings surmounted by a king's crown. Underneath is a boomerang with the words 'RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE';

To be issued to members of the Navy, Australian Imperial Force, (including the Australian Army Nursing Service), Royal Australian Air Force, Voluntary Aid Detachments, approved representatives of philanthropic bodies, and Official Photographers, upon return from service abroad.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_Dt0gyoqjAiuARw7yroHhnoTeXxfD4l8UOIHrO_CrD3nESjeJNw

 

My Kings Badge...Sometimes called the KIngs Medal... issued under King George has the legend "for loyal service"
sapper

 

I assume these medals were discontinued after both wars?

Cheers

Dads WW2 service records have one wound stripe authourised, 8/6/44 - I think this was the year wound stripes started to be issued, Dad was wounded May 43.

 

I have an article in a 1914 local paper which speaks of
these 'on war work' badges being produced by factory
owners reluctant to allow their staff to volunteer even
though one example given had no contracts with the War
Office or other Govt depts to supply the washing powder
they were producing!


best


View attachment 51684 There were many different forms of badges issued - as well as the wounded soldiers, mainly to stop the 'White Feather' accusations. When I started my apprenticeship in mechanical engineering 1960s there were many toolmakers and engineers who still had these badges in their toolboxes they had been in one of the aircraft factories- 'On Important War Work'. Many in reserved occupations would be given reserved occupation badges.



View attachment 51685 Steel Workers

 

Before I joined I had to go before the managing director. ONE great big hell of a row. Two of us The other fellow, George. gave in and stayed behind ...... Clever! had I known it...

The wound stripes are certainly pre 1944. Indeed they were going out of use at that time. No one bothered. I have two of them.

I posted this before. While we vets were gathered... the greatest collection of false arms and legs ever gathered in one place!..... We all had a letter telling us we were still liable for military service!

I sometime wonder about that Imagine a squad made of false arms and legs men going out on a fighting patrol.
Sapper

 

Wound stripes