james_harvey Posted 9 October , 2016 Share Posted 9 October , 2016 (edited) I have a ww1 badge that is a wv interlocked with a crown on top, I've been told it stands for woman volunteer but have no other information regards james Edited 9 October , 2016 by james_harvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Upton Posted 10 October , 2016 Share Posted 10 October , 2016 Have a look at: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 10 October , 2016 Share Posted 10 October , 2016 (edited) It's the Women's Voluntary Service (formed in 1938), later given Royal title as the WRVS. In WW2 the women served at canteens for troops and in other war work to serve the community. Edited 10 October , 2016 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_harvey Posted 10 October , 2016 Author Share Posted 10 October , 2016 I've got a 1938 badge and it states WVS and I have another one with ARP with WVS below. I also have a later wrvs badge. The wvs were not allowed to use the crown until after given royal status. i still believe it's a ww1 badge possible for factory work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 7 November , 2016 Share Posted 7 November , 2016 (edited) On 10/10/2016 at 11:18, james_harvey said: I've got a 1938 badge and it states WVS and I have another one with ARP with WVS below. I also have a later wrvs badge. The wvs were not allowed to use the crown until after given royal status. i still believe it's a ww1 badge possible for factory work. That's interesting James, I am sure that the answer is out there somewhere. Perhaps it is an early pattern of WRVS lapel badge shortly after they were granted the Royal appellation and entitlement to wear a crown. Interestingly the overall triangular shape with the broad side at the top was a consistent feature of WVS and WRVS badges so I think there is a strong clue there. The badges are common and readily available here: http://picclick.co.uk/WW2-Womens-Voluntary-Service-WV-Lapel-Badge-191951885148.html They appear to be serially numbered (and thus auditable) on the back. I enclose a badge circa WW2 that also uses just the WV logo. It was apparently used by the Dorking, Surrey, branch. Edited 7 November , 2016 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 10 November , 2016 Share Posted 10 November , 2016 James, I've disagreed with Frogsmile a couple of times in the past, but I'm happy to say I completely agree with him here. Your badge is not of the WW1 period, I'm afraid. It is the Womens' Voluntary Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dink_and_pip Posted 11 November , 2016 Share Posted 11 November , 2016 On Monday, October 10, 2016 at 00:36, james_harvey said: I have a ww1 badge that is a wv interlocked with a crown on top, I've been told it stands for woman volunteer but have no other information regards james Sorry to disagree with you but the badge has nothing to do with the WVS. This is the Voluntary Worker badge awarded by the DGVO (Director General of Voluntary Organisations) to workers on completion of 30 hours voluntary work. They could wear the badge as long as they did regular work, if this stopped they had to hand the badge back. It was awarded to both men and women. Members of the British Red Cross Society, St John's Ambulance, and Queen Mary's Needlework Guild were ineligible as they had their own awards. All other charities registered under the War Charities act 1916 were eligible. At the end of the war all workers were allowed to keep their badges. Some groups used their remaining funds to award badges of their own, others ribbons or clasps to be worn with the VW badge. The final report of the DGVO details all the organisations and the number of badges retained. I believe this certificate to have been awarded at the end of the war by the Belgravia WHSD. I am not sure if the VW badges were issued with certificates. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 12 November , 2016 Share Posted 12 November , 2016 That's very interesting information Andy and thank you for posting it. Quite happy to see that my assessment was wrong, one learns something new every day, which is a big part of the enjoyment of visiting this site. James (the OP) will I am sure be pleased too as it shows the original information he was given to be correct. It is easy to see how there might be some confusion given that the WVS did, in some cases, use a similar badge during WW2. I wonder if they were inspired by some members having formerly earned the badge you show during WW1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_harvey Posted 12 November , 2016 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2016 Many thanks guys for your help. shame a record wasn't kept of the serial numbers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dink_and_pip Posted 13 November , 2016 Share Posted 13 November , 2016 13 hours ago, james_harvey said: Many thanks guys for your help. shame a record wasn't kept of the serial numbers A central register was kept but whether it still exists is unknown. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david murdoch Posted 17 December , 2020 Share Posted 17 December , 2020 Just spotted on an old family photo - my Great Grandmother wearing one of these badges - gives an idea of the size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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