Silver War Badge (SWB)
Encyclopedia
The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom
to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War I
. The badge, sometimes known as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.
The sterling silver lapel badge was intended to be worn in civilian clothes. It had been the practice of some women to present white feather
s to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King's uniform. The badge was to be worn on the right breast while in civilian dress, it was forbidden to wear on a military uniform.
The badge bears the royal cipher of GRI (for Georgius Rex Imperator; George, King and Emperor
) and around the rim "For King and Empire; Services Rendered". Each badge was uniquely numbered on the reverse. The War Office
made it known that they would not replace Silver War Badges if they went missing, however if one was handed into a police station then it would be returned to the War Office
. If the original recipient could be traced at his or her discharge address then the badge would be returned.
A very similar award, known as the King's Badge
, was issued in World War II
. Although each was accompanied by a certificate, issues of this latter award were not numbered.
If there is no Silver War Badge Card,then the details of the soldier's discharge can be found out by a visit to the National Archives at Kew
. There should be a reference to a Silver War Badge Roll, for example in the picture above it says "SWB List TH/345" this refers to the roll in which the man is mentioned. On the Silver War Badge roll it should mention at the very least the number of the badge, the official reason and date of his discharge.
A silver war badge card, can be accessed online via the National Archives, Documents Online. On the card it should mention the date of discharge, the cause and the number of the badge (in many ways just like a Silver War Badge Roll but online, and therefore easier to access)
There are twenty-nine different ways in which someone could have been discharged under the King's Regulations. On a Silver War Badge Card, it could say KR (xxi) as it does on the example SWB card. This stands for King's Regulations, section twenty-one. The different regulations are;
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The badge, sometimes known as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.
The sterling silver lapel badge was intended to be worn in civilian clothes. It had been the practice of some women to present white feather
White feather
A white feather has been a traditional symbol of cowardice, used and recognised especially within the British Army and in countries associated with the British Empire since the 18th century...
s to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King's uniform. The badge was to be worn on the right breast while in civilian dress, it was forbidden to wear on a military uniform.
The badge bears the royal cipher of GRI (for Georgius Rex Imperator; George, King and Emperor
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
) and around the rim "For King and Empire; Services Rendered". Each badge was uniquely numbered on the reverse. The War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
made it known that they would not replace Silver War Badges if they went missing, however if one was handed into a police station then it would be returned to the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
. If the original recipient could be traced at his or her discharge address then the badge would be returned.
A very similar award, known as the King's Badge
King's Badge
The King's Badge was a large silver pin to be worn only on civilian clothing. It was issued by the British government to persons who served after World War II was declared, on September 3, 1939, and who were discharged through injury due to war service....
, was issued in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Although each was accompanied by a certificate, issues of this latter award were not numbered.
Silver War Badge - Medal Cards and Rolls
The 'SWB List' when mentioned on a medal card refers to a list that is now kept in The National Archives. There are two different types of cards on which the List can be mentioned.- The SWB can be shown on a normal medal card index as in the picture to the right.
- It can also be recorded on a new medal card issued for the purpose, called a Silver War Badge Card.
If there is no Silver War Badge Card,then the details of the soldier's discharge can be found out by a visit to the National Archives at Kew
Kew
Kew is a place in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in South West London. Kew is best known for being the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens, now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace...
. There should be a reference to a Silver War Badge Roll, for example in the picture above it says "SWB List TH/345" this refers to the roll in which the man is mentioned. On the Silver War Badge roll it should mention at the very least the number of the badge, the official reason and date of his discharge.
A silver war badge card, can be accessed online via the National Archives, Documents Online. On the card it should mention the date of discharge, the cause and the number of the badge (in many ways just like a Silver War Badge Roll but online, and therefore easier to access)
King's Regulations For Discharge
- (i) References on enlistment being unsatisfactory.
- (ii) Having been irregularly enlisted.
- (iii) Not likely to become an efficient soldier.
- (iv) Having been claimed as an apprentice.
- (v) Having claimed it on payment of £10 within three months of his attestation.
- (vi) Having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment.
- (vii) Having been claimed for wife desertion.
- (viii) Having made a false answer on attestation.
- (ix) Unfitted for the duties of the corps.
- (x) Having been convicted by the civil power of_____, or of an offence committed before enlistment.
- (xi) For misconduct.
- (xii) Having been sentenced to penal servitude.
- (xiii) Having been sentenced to be discharged with ignominy.
- (xiv) At his own request, on payment of _____ under Article 1130 (i), Pay Warrant.
- (xv) Free, after ____ years' service under Article 1130 (ii), Pay Warrant.
- (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service.
- (xvia) Surplus to military requirements (having suffered impairment since entry into the service).
- (xviii) At his own request after 18 years' service (with a view to pension under the Pay Warrant).
- (xix) For the benefit of the public service after 18 years' service (with a view to pension under the Pay Warrant).
- (xx) Inefficiency after 18 years' service (with a view to pension under the Pay Warrant).
- (xxi) The termination of his ____ period of engagement.
- (xxii) With less than 21 years' service towards engagement, but with 21 or more years' service towards pension.
- (xxiii) Having claimed discharge after three months' notice.
- (xxiv) Having reached the age for discharge.
- (xxv) His services being no longer required.
- (xxva) Surplus to military requirements (Not having suffered impairment since entry into the service).
- (xxvi) At his own request after 21 (or more) years' service (with a view to pension under the Pay Warrant).
- (xxvii) After 21 (or more) years' qualifying service for pension, and with 5 (or more) years' service as warrant officer (with a view to pension under the Pay Warrant).
- (xxviii) On demobilization.
Issued Numbers
Approximately 1,150,000 badges were issued, which had to be claimed and then approved, generally covered by §(xvi) above. The numbers on the back of the badge kept changing during the war.- Between September 1916 and March 1918, they were issued with just a number and were better quality than most stampings. Around 335,000 of these were issued.
- Between March 1918 and September 1918, these were the second series. This took the number of badges issued up to 450,000.
- Between September 1918 and December 1919, they had a 'B' prefix before the number. Around 450,000 of these were issued.
- Between December 1919 and January 1920, they had a 'O' prefix, around 5,000 of these were issued.
- Between January 1920 and March 1992, they went back to ordinary numbers again. Around 70,000 badges were issued.
- After April 1918 there were several changes;
- RAF men were issued with badges prefixed with RAF, over 10,000 badges were issued.
- The Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
had a separate prefix, which was 'RN', there were at least 43,000 badges issued. - After this date it became possible for servicemen, civilians who served in the RAMC, female nurses, VADs, QMAAC staff, etc. to get awarded the silver war badge.
Resources
- Search over 5 million campaign medal cards on The UK National Archives' website.
- http://www.1914-1918.net
- http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/jacmartin/martinbook/medals.htm
- http://www.military-researcher.com