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Recollections of War > Records

King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

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c. 1915

Overview

World War One era sweetheart brooch featuring a miniature gilded insignia of the King's Royal Rifle Corps (K.R.R.C.) mounted on an iridescent, circular mother-of-pearl base.
The insignia is in the traditional cross badge shape utilised by historic British rifle regiments. It is surmounted by a King's Crown under which the regimental motto 'CELER ET AUDAX' meaning 'Swift and Bold' is embedded in dark blue enamel. The crown and central circle also have dark blue enamel detailing. 'THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS' is written in the centre ring, surrounding a stringed bugle horn emblem.
The reverse of the badge is plain with a metal pin clasp for attachment.

Historical information

This sweetheart brooch is one of many produced and sold to servicemen to give to their loved ones during World War One. They were commercially produced with the insignia in the centre varying to represent various units in all three military services - Army, Navy and Flying Corps.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00887

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Decorative Objects

Ephemera

Jewellery

Personal Effects

Souvenirs

Themes

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Gilt

Metal

Shell (Animal Material)

Width

31 mm

Height or length

29 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On front of badge:

"CELER ET AUDAX"

"THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS"

Keywords

World War One

Sweetheart Brooch

Badges & Buttons

Souvenirs

Jewellery

Home Front

History - Social

Year

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Last modified

Thursday, 14 May, 2026

Completeness

94

Recollections of War

Recollections of War

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King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

Angled view of King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

Angled view of King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

Reverse of King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

Reverse of King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

Oblique view of reverse of King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

Oblique view of reverse of King's Royal Rifle Company mother of pearl sweetheart brooch

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