Three munitions worker badges

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

36544

Title

Three munitions worker badges

Description

From left: Oval metal badge, surmounted by King's crown. Crescent shaped back stamped with a number; triangular metal badge stamped with a number. Pin with a keeper for attaching to clothing; oval metal badge surmounted by King's crown, featuring crescent shaped back stamped with a number.

Date

1916

Type

Metal

Location

Museum of Edinburgh

Accession number

HHInvNo. 730/19

These badges were issued to munitions workers. The oval badge with a blue band was issued from 1915 by the Ministry of Munitions to those workers under Government contract. The oval brass badge was issued to workers operating under contractors. The triangular brass badge was issued from 1916 for women involved in munitions production.

The badges were worn as proof that an individual was 'doing their bit' and as an encouragement to others to do the same. The government and private firms issued similar badges, but the system grew more regulated as the War progressed. the numbers stamped on the back of the badges were an attempt to prevent fraudulent production/ use.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Badges

Communication > Written > Emblems

Events > Wars > Defense industries

Events > Wars > World wars

Government > National

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing facilities > Factories

Military > Arms and armament > Bombs

Military > Arms and armament > Hand grenades

Military > Arms and armament > Machine guns

Military > Arms and armament > Shells

People > Industry > Factory workers

People > Military activities

Places > Scotland