WWI British Empire Silver War Badge for services rendered

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c. 1916

Overview

Circular, sterling silver lapel badge with the words 'For King and Empire' and 'Services rendered' around the rim, and a voided cypher (GRI) and crown of King George V in the centre.
The badge has an impressed serial number 'A88599' on reverse. It has a vertical brooch fitting for attachment in parallel to the number.

Historical information

The Silver War Badge or Services Rendered Badge was issued to officers or men who had served the Commonwealth overseas since 4 August 1914, and who had been retired or discharged on account of age, wounds or sickness that rendered them permanently unfit for further service.
It was intended to be worn on civilian clothes only, at the right breast, and indicated the person had enlisted and served rather than having refused to join up.
It was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement. If the person had served in an active war zone, a King's Certificate of Discharge stating that they "Served with honour" would accompany the badge.
Each badge was numbered on the reverse and had a letter prefix - A for Army, N for Navy and AF for Air Force - indicating which service the recipient served with.
Silver War Badges were issued by Commonwealth countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Rhodesia, and duplicate numbers occurred. Each country maintained its own register and these were all sent to the War Office to compile a Master File, which was administratively destroyed by the Ministry of Defence later in the 20th Century.
As the country of origin of this badge is unknown, it is not possible to identify the recipient.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00844

Item type

Awards

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 1