'On War Service Fairfield' War Workers badge

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W.J. Dingley Ltd

c. 1915

Overview

World War One official issue 'On War Service Fairfield' war workers badge. It is a gilt brass and enamel badge which has the words 'On War Service' and 'Fairfield' written in gold on a white enamel background in a band around the edge of the badge.The King's Crown is depicted in the centre of the badge in gilt metal.
The maker's name is on the reverse and the issue number has been erased. The badge has a buttonhole lapel fitting.

Historical information

Badges such as these were worn by civilians in order to indicate that the person wearing it was engaged in important war work.
Several of these badges were officially produced and distributed nationally, but many more were produced privately by companies to support their employees.

Fairfield Shipbuilders, or 'Fairfields' as it was commonly called, was situated in Govan on the south bank of the River Clyde, Glasgow Scotland. The yard built warships, submarines and a train ferry, as well as many other crafts during World War One.

According to the Imperial War Museum : "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 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".

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00237

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History
Transport
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Brass

Enamels