Ron, some while since you started this post but if you are still interested see attached. Normally in front but this time Recce a bit behind !!
I very quickly grabbed three of mine which were to hand last night to photograph if anyone's interested. I'm afraid the photos were taken on my Blackberry and are, therefore, rubbish but here they are:
Hello, I just recently found this pin tucked away in the corner of a drawer. I remembered reading this thread a while ago so I thought I would contribute! This one belonged to my grandma (my grandfather was in the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry). Sorry for the terrible photo quality, my phone is not the best!
A few I have, the Black watch is the typical shop made type of enameled brass and the other 3 are converted from issue insignia, a WWI Royal Welsh Fusiliers cap badge, a Welsh Regiment collar and a Royal Welsh Fusiliers shoulder title. Also an advert from a WWII publication offering sweetheart badges for sale.
I love the advert Jerry, what a great thing to go with a collection. Not a badge but I came across this a few years ago and had to have it. Its a French WW1 sweetheart pendant, made in a trench art fashion, displaying a small badge of the famous French 75 cannon with a French ribbon behind. And whats more these are bedded down on some kind of green foliage..... possibly a sample straight from the battlefield......?. a sweet smelling herb maybe.....?.... or could just be some moss for effect....who knows! Whatever it is I hope you'll agree it's an interesting piece, and may I add is only 3cm in diameter.
I love the advert Jerry, what a great thing to go with a collection. Not a badge but I came across this a few years ago and had to have it. Its a French WW1 sweetheart pendant, made in a trench art fashion, displaying a small badge of the famous French 75 cannon with a French ribbon behind. And whats more these are bedded down on some kind of green foliage..... possibly a sample straight from the battlefield......?. a sweet smelling herb maybe.....?.... or could just be some moss for effect....who knows! Whatever it is I hope you'll agree it's an interesting piece, and may I add is only 3cm in diameter. Cool item and interesting with the green stuff in it. I'm glad you liked the advert, it is in a wartime publication of British capbadges.
Hello to everyone who has posted these amazing photos and stories about the sweetheart brooches in response to my original request for information. So sorry not to have thanked everyone for the recent posts - I didn't realise they were still being added! I'm now going back to studying the brooches in much more depth for my PhD so if anyone will allow me to use any of their images, or has any more stories or anecdotes about them I would really love to hear from you. I'm really interested in what they meant to people. This time I'm looking at both WW1 and WW2 brooches so any family memories would be wonderful. Many thanks for all your help so far.
Pen No problem in using any of my pics providing you quote this site as the source. A word to the wise ? Remove your e-mail address ,,,,,,, we don't like to encourage nasties Ron
Quite happy for you to use my pictures in post 42 above. Just for information have attached another image with the dimensions shown, both badges same size.
Hello again Ron, thank you for the advice, I've removed my own email, though it's sad that it's necessary. Thank you too for letting me use your pictures, and of course any used from anyone will be credited in the paper as 'image courtesy of...', as your own copyright, and from this site. Thank you too Tony, and for adding the dimensions. I haven't seen these particular badges before so they are great to have. I see that they obviously relate to your Reconnaisance Corps insignia but the colouring is different in the two examples - does this have a particular significance, do you know? Pen
The front cover of the publication from which the advert came. I am also happy for my images to be used. I have more examples since I last posted and I'll add them at some stage.
Hello Jerry, thank you so much for the info and photo and permission to use your images. Will obviously credit you as the source in my paper and I'd be interested to see any future images you might have. I can't believe the immediate response from this site - if only all my research was like this! Very grateful for your help. Many thanks, and kind regards, Pen.
Pen, Your'e correct in saying that the two Recce badges are different in colouring, but I can't tell you why! My guess is that there in no significance. The badges may well be from different makers as the reverse indicates a different manufacturing technique, the colour explanation may be as simple as that. They are also made of different metals, the badge version some base metal, perhaps brass whereas the pendant one has 'sterling' stamped on it. No hallmarks but possibly sterling silver. After all it is the ladies version! This may also account for the colouring. Cheers
Hi Pen, I just realized my Mother's photo has gone missing from a previous post. I'll include the alternative battered version of her wearing a sweetheart badge that my Father carried with him, from Operation Varsity and on through Germany with the Paras to Wismar on the Baltic. The red markings look suspiciously like lipstick ... or at least I hope so. Regards ...
Another from my collection, marked silver on the reverse, for the Welsh Regiment and a copy of the collar badge introduced in 1909.
Hi all I've removed my university email on Ron's advice but if anyone would prefer to contact me that way rather than post personal material here, please let me know here and I will contact you personally through this site. Hopefully that should work. Thanks for all the help so far. Pen
