Silver War Badge

Silver War Badge (awarded from 1916)

Silver War Badge and Award Certificate

The Silver War Badge ( SWB , dt. As much as "silver war badge") was a badge of honor awarded in the states of the British Empire from 1916 to members of the military or members of the supporting services who honorably leave their service prematurely because of injury, illness or other reasons were released . It is sometimes - shortened - referred to as the "wounded badge".

history

The award of the Silver War Badge was authorized by King George V in September 1916 and awarded for the first time in the same month, also retrospectively to the date of British entry into the war in August 1914. If the person concerned had served in theaters of war, he was together awarded with a King's Certificate of Discharge . The award was made upon application and after the reasons have been assessed.

The badge also served a very practical purpose: For the duration of the war, its wearers were protected from hostility from persons who were angry that the person concerned did not serve in the war (see Order of the White Feather ).

Description and way of carrying

The circular badge was made from sterling silver . It consists of the royal initials GRI (for Georgius Rex Imperator ) under a crown ( royal cypher ). On the edge is the inscription FOR KING AND EMPIRE - SERVICES RENDERED .

Each of the badges is numbered on the back, which together with the award lists allows them to be assigned by name. The number is often preceded by a prefix, which is used, for example, to assign the wearer to the country of origin.

The SWB was only intended to be worn in civilian clothes, attaching it to the uniform was prohibited. It was worn on the right side of the chest.

Award criteria

Any member of the military or civilian in military service (e.g. doctors and nurses) from the British Empire who was honorably discharged from service by December 31, 1919 for one of the following reasons was eligible to wear the award:

(i) References on enlistment being unsatisfactory.
(ii) Having been irregularly enlisted.
(iii) Not likely to become an efficient soldier (with subclauses as below)
- (a) Recruit rejected both by Medical Officer and Approving Officer
- (b) Recruit passed by Medical Officer, but rejected by a Recruiting Officer stationed away from the headquarters of the recruiting area, or by Approving Officer
- (c) Recruit within three months of enlistment considered unfit for service
  - (cc) Recruits with more than three months service considered unfit for further military service
- (d) Recruit who after having undergone a course of physical training is recommended by an examining board to be discharged, or in the case of a mounted corps is unable to ride
- (e) Soldier of local battalion abroad considered unlikely to become efficient
- (f) Boy who, on reaching 18 years of age, is considered to be physically unfit for the ranks
(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 (with subclauses as below)
- (a) Soldier under 17 years of age at the date of application for discharge
- (b) Soldier between 17 and 18 years of age at the date of application for discharge
(vii) Having been claimed for wife desertion (with subclauses as below)
- (a) By the parish authorities
- (b) By the wife
(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 offense 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 (with subclauses as below)
- (xva) Free under Article 1130 (i), Pay Warrant
- (xvb) Free to take up civil employment which cannot be held open
(xvi) No longer physically fit for war service.
- (xvia) Surplus to military requirements (having suffered impairment since entry into the service).
(xvii) -
(xviii) At his own request after 18 years of 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

Source: King's Regulations 392

Award numbers

Award records include rank, regimental number, unit, the date of recruitment and discharge, and the reason for the discharge. You will u. a. Retained by The National Archives (for the United Kingdom).

A total of 1.15 million Silver War Badges were awarded.

without prefix (1st series, with a horizontal pin): awarded from September 1916 to March 1918, approx. 360,000
without prefix (2nd series, with a vertical pin): awarded from March to September 1918, approx. 90,000
Prefix “B”: assigned from September 1918 to December 1919, approx. 450,000
Prefix “O”: awarded between December 1919 and January 1920, approx. 5,000
without prefix (3rd series): awarded from January 1920 to March 1992, approx. 70,000

In April 1918, the regulations were changed, including the introduction of prefixes for the armed forces. Civilians in military service were also given the opportunity to apply for an award.

Prefixes according to armed forces: