The King's Badge

Discussion in 'General' started by Paul Reed, Dec 22, 2008.

  1. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    With a recent thread about the WW1 Silver War Badge, thought I would post some images here relating to the WW2 King's Badge which was given to war disabled ex-servicemen/women.

    I was lucky to pick up a badge, plus certificate and original box a while back.

    First, the certificate that came with it:

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Box lid:

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Badge inside the box:

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Front of badge:

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Reverse of badge (as you can see they are not numbered like WW1 SWBs):

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    I also have one of these badges Paul in the original box and certificate it was was awarded to a Queensman (1/5th Bn Queens Surreys) he was shot in the thigh while leading a carrier counter attack against 30 enemy trying to blow up a bridge over River Somme, I think they are a cracking little badge...nice pictures
     
  7. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Mine is as good as the day I got it 63 years ago. It was rumoured at the time that at some time in the future it would be exchanged for a better solid silver one....That never happened.

    Compared with the French Chest Badge they gave the Normandy Vets. It is as I said, it is the nearest Uk equivalent of the purple heart
    Sapper
     

    Attached Files:

    von Poop likes this.
  8. Steve G

    Steve G Senior Member

    That's Gorgeous, Paul! (I'm green with envy! :D)
     
  9. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Nice presentation Paul.
    Some of the awards that the Vets have collected over the last 64 years is in my cabinet. I posted that before. It is worth a look just for curiosities sake.
    Sapper
     

    Attached Files:

    Charley Fortnum and Paul Reed like this.
  10. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I also have one of these badges Paul in the original box and certificate it was was awarded to a Queensman (1/5th Bn Queens Surreys) he was shot in the thigh while leading a carrier counter attack against 30 enemy trying to blow up a bridge over River Somme, I think they are a cracking little badge...nice pictures

    Good to see you posting again, Kieron.

    The one thing I don't have is the envelope it was sent in, which I suspect was a HMSO/WO one. Would love to see one of them!
     
  11. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Nice presentation Paul.
    Some of the awards that the Vets have collected over the last 64 years is in my cabinet. I posted that before. It is worth a look just for curiosities sake.
    Sapper

    Thanks for posting that, Brian. Always of interest to read your posts.
     
  12. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    If we Vets put on all the medals and awards that came our way, we would look pretty much like a Christmas tree.... Of course we don't do it...... There still rages an argument if we should wear these medals or only official British army issue. In The case of foreign awards, they have been given by a grateful people for their freedom. In my view, not wearing them would it seems be quite churlish. They were given in the right spirit.... why not wear them thus?
    Sapper
    Sapper
     
    Ken P likes this.
  13. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    Been floating around :) my photographic data base increasing keep meaning to update my site but never seem to find the time, my 3 young children have got to hobby stage :)
     
  14. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I'm not envious of your badge Sapper - You definitely earnt it mate, and I'm glad I never had to.

    Keep on wearing that one, it does you proud.

    Cheers,
    Adam.
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Do they still give out wounds stripes?
    Brian did you get awarded a wound stripe?
    Ever wear it?
     
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Do they still give out wounds stripes?
    Brian did you get awarded a wound stripe?
    Ever wear it?

    In a word Owen...No :)
     
  17. militarycross

    militarycross Very Senior Member

    Thanks for the ebay link. I hadn't thought of this route. It seems silly to have such a brew-haha over a small piece of metal that some were given and others refused. I had a go round with the head decision maker over this and would seem to me that being in an RAF Crew, eating RAF rations, and all would suffice for being in HM Forces. Good thing I don't have my blood pressure monitor on now.

    I will get him a pin and he will wear it with all pride, I am sure. Thanks guys.
     
  18. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Yes I had two wound stripes. Worn at an angle, just above the cuffs. But they were on their way out, and many old Vets never claimed them. They died the death of neglect to be honest.

    I have a uniform top that was created, and used, for Lecture purposes only. I will post it as long as no one notices the dreadful sewing.

    As to me wearing the medals..... No not if I can help it. I feel stupid wearing this array. Looks too much like an Idi Amin!
    Sapper
     

    Attached Files:

  19. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Did veterans get 2 wound stripes for being wounded or a stripe for each time being wounded, in which case Dad should have had 3, though he would have preferred not to have had any!!!!

    Photo of Dad with 2 wound stripes on forearm of tunic. Surely these are the equivalent of the American purple Heart?
     

    Attached Files:

  20. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Thanks for posting that photo.

    Next time I am at Kew with have to find the ACIs for the WW2 wound stripes.
     

Share This Page