Silver War Badges

[Guest March1918]

Hi,

Has anyone worked out how the original War Office SWB reference codes shown on MICs relate to the actual SWB rolls for individual regiments. It is my understanding that they are regional codes with each regional HQ responsible for issuing the badges for regiments/corps in their region. If no-one can answer the first part of the question then would anybody assist me in compiling as cross reference? The first stage is to build a key to regiments using the roll references. The following are already known to me but I would need a lot more samples.

B/ - Royal Dublin Fusiliers

E/ - Middlesex Regiment

J/ - Cheshire Regiment? Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Welsh Regiment

K/ - Essex Regiment

L/ - Worcestershire Regiment

LC/ - Labour Corps

O/ - Yorkshire Regiment

TO/ - West Yorkshire Regiment

TP/ - London Regiment

Here's hoping I'm unindated with replys.

Many thanks

Peter

[GavinH]

Peter,

It has already been done. There is a complete list in 'The Collector and Researchers Guide to the Great War' by Howard Williamson.

Regards

Gavin

[Guest March1918]

Gavin,

I remember reading a book review on this guide. Is there a copy in TNA library I wonder.

Thanks

Peter

[hmsk212]

Peter

E seems to be Home Counties :- In addition to Middlesex the reference applies to Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Essex Regiments

C seems to be Wiltshire, Hampshire, Devon etc

TP also includes the Royal Defence Corps

TD Highland Light Infantry, Royal Scots, Scottish Rifles etc

Then you have the obvious codes

APC - Army Pay Corps

RE - Royal Engineers

MGC - Machine Gun Corps

CY - Cavalry

etc etc etc

The TP references were from London Wall Buildings EC2

E References from No 2 Infantry Records, Hounslow

APC from the War Office

F from Lichfield

RE from Chatham & some (Transportation Section) from Tavistock Square EC1

C from Exeter

RASC & ASC from Woolwich Dockyard

H from Preston

RAMC from Woking

LC from Nottingham

J from Shrewsbury

Tanks from South Kensington

RGA Dover Castle

RA Woolwich

O York

TD Hamilton

AVC Woolwich

K Warley

MGC York Street SW1 then later at Alexandra Palace

TJ Territorial Force Office Shrewsbury

CY York

TK Territorial Force Office Warley

MGG Buckingham Gate SW

etc etc

Steve

[Guest March1918]

Steve,

That's magic. I already had a list of issuing centres and was about to match them up. This all came about when a colleague asked me how he could obtain a list of men to the RWF entitled to the badge. I of coarse said, 'with great difficulty' as the issues are know to be quite mixed up by regiment within the centres you listed. But at least we would know within ten or so pieces in WO 329 where these are recorded. Many thanks again.

Peter

[GavinH]

is there a copy in TNA library I wonder.

Pete,

I'm not sure. Is there any particular reference you would like me to check?

Regards

Gavin

[Guest March1918]

Gavin,

Thanks for the offer but I think I have what I need for the moment. The question which has arisen before is whether it was possible to produce a complete list for and individual regiment. The first time I looked at this I ended up with a piece for Preston and quickly realised no attempt had been made to keep records in regimental order. It would appear that the registers were time based i.e. processed as applications were received. I'm only looking at it again in the light of new technology available to capture data. I know the records are already indexed by SWB number but I'm not aware this was done in regimental order. Or was it? Perhaps I'd better not jump to conclusions.

Peter