WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge

c. 1917
Overview

World War One era American Red Cross Motor Corps metal and enamel car badge. The badge itself is circular and has a broad green enamel border with the words 'Motor' at the top and 'Corps' at the bottom in contrasting white enamel. The centre of the badge is an enamelled red cross on a white background. There is a thin metal border around both sides of the green band and the edges of the red cross.
The reverse of the badge is plain metal which appears to be a copper alloy. The maker's details 'Geo. J. Mayer Co. IND'P'L'S' appear at the top. There is a metal bracket attached to the reverse with a hexagonal nut. It has a longitudinal slot at the upper end used to adjust the height of the car badge. At the lower end of the bracket is hexagonal bolt and washer with a square nut on the other side, used to attached the badge to the vehicle. There is some surface rust on the front of the bracket where it has rubbed.

Historical information

American Red Cross Motor Corps (also known as American Red Cross Motor Service) was founded in February 1917 to support the transport of sick and wounded soldiers from troop trains to hospitals during World War One. The Motor Corps also assisted with the delivery of supplies to and from storage warehouses, and transported nurses and canteen workers to their posts.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00600
Item type
Width
130 mm
Height or length
90 mm
Depth
20 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On front of badge:

"MOTOR
CORPS"

On reverse of badge:

"GEO. J.
MAYER CO.
IND'P'L'S"

Place made
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Year
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Rare or representative
Last modified
Friday, 25 July, 2025
Completeness
100
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

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WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
Reverse of WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
Reverse of WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
Close up of reverse of WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
Close up of reverse of WWI era American Red Cross Motor Corps car badge
Close up of reverse of car badge showing maker's details
Close up of reverse of car badge showing maker's details

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