Recollections of War > Records

WWII era S & J 'On War Work' enamel badge

Thomas Fattorini Ltd
c. 1940
Overview

Circular, white metal and enamel badge featuring a finely detailed green-tailed mermaid set against a blue, wavy ocean background in the centre.
This is surrounded by a broad, vibrant red enamel border which is inscribed with the silver initials 'S. & J.' at the top and 'On War Work' at the bottom.
The reverse of the badge has a crescent moon shaped lapel clasp which has the badge issue number '715' impressed into it.
The maker's details are written at the bottom of the reverse in an oval arrangement.

Historical information

These badges were issued to civilian industrial or munition workers during the war era to officially denote their essential contributions to the war effort on the home front.
It signaled that the wearer was engaged in vital national service despite not wearing a military uniform.

The company 'S & J' has not been identified.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00883
Item type
Badges
Collectibles
Ephemera
Personal Effects
Themes
Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2
Material
Enamels
Metal
Width
26 mm
Height or length
26 mm
Depth
10 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On front of badge:

"S & J"

"ON WAR WORK"

On reverse of badge:

"715"

"THOMAS FATTORINI
LTD

REGENT ST

BIRMINGHAM"

Keywords
World War Two
Home Front
Badges & Buttons
War Worker
History - Social
Place made
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Year
c. 1940
Primary significance criteria
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Last modified
Wednesday, 13 May, 2026
Completeness
100
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

WWII era S & J 'On War Work' enamel badge
WWII era S & J 'On War Work' enamel badge
Reverse of WWII era S & J 'On War Work' enamel badge
Reverse of WWII era S & J 'On War Work' enamel badge

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