The King's Badge

The American's still have wound stripes on their Dress Uniforms today. The purple Heart is a medal where as the later is a badge.

Cheers

 

I think that wearing Second World War wound stripes was quite uncommon. I have seen many photos of First World War vets wearing them in the forces in the Second World War....

Donnie

 

Next time I am at Kew with have to find the ACIs for the WW2 wound stripes.

...here's a start...

 

Box lid:



Strangely enough, this very morning, I picked up a similar set (part of my dad's Christmas present - he remembers his dad wearing his badge throughout the remainder of his life). On this one the bottom line of the lid has been blanked out also. Any idea what it said?

Cheers.

dave.

 

Thanks Dave - is that from Brian Davies' book?

I was wondering what it said under the blanked out bit!

 

Yes it is.

I'll have to wait until christmas day now (I've wrapped it up), but I'll have a close look at the lid then (the one I got isn't as heavily blanked out as yours so it might be readable with close scrutiny.

dave.

 

Ok mate, thanks - have a good Christmas.

 

I was wondering what it said under the blanked out bit!


"It will NOT be replaced if lost"

Now we know!

 

Well done, Dave!

 

Attached pdf, may be of interest to anyone that lost a badge.
Dave

 

As my Grandfather was discharged due to wounds in May 1944, I assume that he would have been 'awarded' a King's Badge For Loyal Service. I can't recall ever seeing one as a lad, but this photograph of him, my grandmother, my great great grandparents and great aunt and uncle post war shows him (centre with his arm around my Nan) shows a lapel badge being worn. Does its scale seem likely that this could be one?

 

KenP

Yes

 

KenP

Be mindful that it is a small round badge so only take this as a rough point in a direction rather than as a definite conclusion/confirmation.

 

I understand that. He wasn't a football fan or a member of any trades unions, but he was a dyed in the wool career soldier, joining in '31, so my only assumption is that it is a King's badge, but (a) never having seen one in the flesh, and (b) never seeing a photo of one worn I needed someone to tell me that its size looked 'right'.

 

Hi,
Just been going thru bits and pieces my Dad had in a small cardboard box and came across a silver lapel badge about 1" in diameter with "For Loyal Service" around the royal crest. On the back of the button hole tab the number "2022" has been stamped.
From this and other threads this must be his Kings Badge, as he was discharged medically unfit in 1943 following his repatriation as a POW. I have yet to find his certificate, but now I know they existed I am doing more research.
Does anyone know if it normal to have a number on the badge?

Thanks
Geoff

 

Interesting thread, but to keep the record straight, the Queens Surreys (Queens Royal Surrey Regiment) were not formed until 1959 by the amalgamation of the Queens Royal Regiment (West Surrey) with the East Surrey Regiment. I think that Kieron Hill and Paul Reed were referring to the 1/5th Battalion of the Queens Royal Regiment..
Chris

 

About Badge numbering-
This from an article in The Guardian re WW1 Kings Badges;
Silver war badge recipients revealed online

"Silver war badges are common and now to fetch between £30 and £50 at auction or car boot sales, but as each was numbered, it is possible to trace who the recipients were. Each badge, worn in the lapel, carried the royal cipher of George V and the inscription: "For King and Empire: Services Rendered". "

From Wikipedia re WW2 Kings Badge;
King's Badge - Wikipedia

"While it did come with a certificate, the King's Badge was not serially numbered." also
"All versions were made in die-stamped metal but without any maker’s marks."

So it look as if WW1 were numbered, but WW2 were not, but my Dad's is!
Also there appears to be a makers mark of M & K within a circle - I wonder who that was?

Cheers
Geoff

 

Geoff the back of your badge is not like any British badge issued

What does the front of your badge look like

 

Hi
Dad was with 2NZEF and medically discharged in UK about June 1943.
Cheers
Geoff

 

Hi,
Found this reference which may indicate that Dad's King's Badge would have been of NZ origin, with MK for Mayer & Kean of Wellington NZ. M & K W in small letters also can be seen at the bottom of the badge rear and this was one of their makers marks

From website
vk badge identify - Show, Tell and Identify - PayDirt Forums

"Company History
Through the years since the company’s inception in 1902 Mayer and Toye Limited has been a Wellington based company. The company’s founder Mr H. G. Mayer (an engraver by trade) started manufacturing badges and medals, along with engraving by himself. Later Mr Kean joined him, forming the partnership of Mayer and Kean Limited.
In the mid-1960’s the name was changed to Mayer and Toye Limited when British company TKS took a half share. The Mayer family later re-purchased the half share back and although the company name stayed the same, it has been fully owned by the Mayer family since that time.
Murray and Howard Mayer are the third generation of the Mayer family to operate the business.
They make the RSA (Returned Services Association similar to British Legion) badges"

Will post further information
Cheers
Geoff