British Silver War Badge Recipients, 1914 - 1918

882,678 records

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Draft, Enlistment & Service

British Silver War Badge Recipients, 1914 - 1918

British Silver War Badge Recipients, 1914 - 1918

882,678 records

This collection includes records of British soldiers who survived the World War I and were discharged from the ranks for honourable reasons of illness or injury. In September 1916 such men were honoured by King George V with the institution of a special award, the Silver War Badge (SWB).<br><br>Sometimes incorrectly known as the Silver Wound Badge, the SWB was a small circular badge made of sterling silver, bearing the king's initials ‘GRI', a crown, and the inscriptions ‘For King and Empire' and ‘Services Rendered'. Those who wore it had a ready answer if they were attacked or insulted by ignorant civilians presenting them with white feathers - the symbol of cowardice - and the suggestion that they had shirked their patriotic duty. The badge was awarded to all of those military personnel who had served at home or overseas during the war, and who had been discharged from the army under King's Regulations. Expiry of a normal term of engagement did not count and the most commonly seen KR is 392(xvi), meaning the soldier had been released on account of being permanently physically unfit. It was possible to be awarded a badge if the man had not served overseas - and if his service record is now lost this may be the only remaining evidence of service for such a soldier. Information listed in these records may include: name, dates of enlistment and discharge, unit name and additional information.

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Draft, Enlistment & Service

United Kingdom

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