Silver War Badge

[Devils Own]

Here's a question:

My Grandad was blown up and captured on 10th October, 1918 in Le Cateau. Funny thing is that there is not SWB allocated to him on his MIC despite the fact that his leg and arm were hanging off. Would there be any reason for him not to be awarded the SWB?

Cheers

Steve

[doogal]

Here's a question:

My Grandad was blown up and captured on 10th October, 1918 in Le Cateau. Funny thing is that there is not SWB allocated to him on his MIC despite the fact that his leg and arm were hanging off. Would there be any reason for him not to be awarded the SWB?

Cheers

Steve

As a POW, if he remained in captivity throughout the war, he would have remained in the Army. Had he been discharged as a result of the wounds during the war, then he would have recieved an SWB.

However, I'm unsure when the SWB ceased to be sent out - whether it was for the duration of hostilities, or whether it had the same end date as victory medal entitlements - 1921

doogal

[Devils Own]

Thanks Doogal

I thought that maybe the case.

Steve

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

The War Badge was not automatically granted,it had to be applied for & granted if the criteria was met,thus not all those entitled applied nor received the Badge,& not all those who applied received it either.

Had your GF applied he would no doubt have been granted the badge,as a result of his wounds.

[Paul Nixon]

And the authorities weren't always that quick in issuing the badges, at least, not quick enough if you were a fit looking man in civvies. Here's what one of my Chailey patients, G/4780 L/Cpl Edward Burnage, wounded on the opening day of the Battle of Loos, wrote to the Colonel in Charge of Infantry Records in November 1916 (he'd been discharged form the army five months earlier):

Dear Sir

I trust you will forgive me for writing twice on the subject of War Badge. I shall be glad if you could let me have one quickly. I am awkwardly placed, being a Casual Porter on the Railway here. I am subject to a deal of annoyance, people thinking I ought to join up, not knowing I have done my Bit. On Saturday last the Guards played a football match and on their way back, the annoyance from them was so great I was compelled to defend myself which was greatly to my detriment. If I had the Badge to wear, the Public could see for themselves. Apologising for troubling you.

Yours Respectfully

4780 Pte E J Burnage, Royal Sussex Regt

[Devils Own]

That's interesting. I had never thought of the SWB as being a means of showing people that a man was not dodging service.

I suppose, in that case, GD wouldn't have needed one as it was obvious he was wouldn't and didn't come back until after the final whistle anyway.

I was wondering if it is still possible to apply for one on his behalf retrospectively.

Cheers

Steve