Recollections of War > Records

WWII era Royal Air Force gilded sweetheart badge

c. 1940
Overview

WWII era Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart badge with 9 carat gold gilding on front surface.
It is in the form of an eagle volant and affronté (flying and facing forward) with its head turned to its left. The eagle appears above a laurel wreath, and below the King's Crown. The letters 'R.A.F.' are engraved between the top of the eagle and the crown and there is a voided area between the tail feathers of the eagle and the leaves.
The reverse has a brooch fitting with a hinged pin which is inserted into a metal holder on the opposite side for attachment. It is stamped with 'STERLING'.

Historical information

Photo lockets, pendants and brooches were very popular during wartime and there are a large number of them in the collection.
This example is quite small and lightweight, but decorative. It appears to be hand engraved rather than produced by a jeweller.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00832
Item type
Collectibles
Decorative Objects
Ephemera
Jewellery
Themes
Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2
Material
Gilt
Gold (Metal)
Metal
Silver (Metal)
Width
28 mm
Height or length
25 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On front of badge:

"R.A.F."

On reverse of badge:

"STERLING"

Keywords
World War Two
Sweetheart Badge
Sweetheart Brooch
Royal Air Force (RAF)
Jewellery
Souvenirs
History - Social
Year
c. 1940
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Friday, 6 March, 2026
Completeness
94
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

WWII Royal Air Force gilded sweetheart badge - front
WWII Royal Air Force gilded sweetheart badge - front
WWII Royal Air Force gilded sweetheart badge - reverse
WWII Royal Air Force gilded sweetheart badge - reverse

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