World War One Munitions badge postcard - 2

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c. 1915

Overview

World War One era postcard relating to munition workers, with blue printing on a white background. There is a blue border made up of laurel leaves and bows and four line drawings of roses. At the top, contained in scrolls, are the words 'With hearty greetings from a munition worker helping to 'Carry on'.'
In the upper centre of the card is a depiction of a Munition Worker's oval shaped voided brass badge which has the words 'On War Service' in a semicircle at the top. A King's Crown is attached to the top of the oval. The centre of the badge bears the 'Board of Ordnance' shield. Below that, in a rectangular box, is a patriotic rhyme.
The postcard has been postally used and the reverse of the card has a message from a mother to her daughter who is in the HM Works Hospital at Gretna Green. Presumably, the daughter works at HM Factory Gretna when fit and well.

There is a second postcard featuring a different munition worker's badge in the collection and the badges themselves are also held in the collection.

Historical information

Over 11,000 women were employed at the Gretna munitions factory during World War One. It was built in 1916 for the production of cordite. HM Factory Gretna was to become the largest of the specially built factories commissioned by the Ministry of Munitions in World War One.
The importance of the women's contribution to the war was reflected in the production of various postcards, each bearing reference to the factory, which were sent to their loved ones. This example displays an oval shaped badge representing one of the war service badges worn by munition workers.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00225

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Postcards

Themes

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

Material

Card

Ink

Width

90 mm

Height or length

140 mm

Inscriptions and markings

From top to bottom of card:

"WITH
HEARTY GREETINGS

FROM A
MUNITION
WORKER

HELPING TO
'CARRY ON'

THIS BADGE proves
I'm A 'WORKER'
Who can ne'er be
dubbed a 'shirker'
And my output proves
that I have put on speed,
So with pride my Badge
I'll wear
To prove I do my share -
For Country, and the Lads,
when they're in need."

Reverse of card:

"Friday 4 Jan
Dear Daughter I am
sending shoes same
time as P.C. so you
can look out for them
Dora has gone back and
hope your leg is keeping
better all is well at home
little mary is left her place
the children are all well
best love from mother
xxxxxx"

"Miss M.A. Martin
4375 H.M. Works
Hospital
Annan Road
Gretna Green
Scotland"

Keywords

Place made

United Kingdom

Year