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UK, Silver War Badge Records, 1914-1920
about John Wartnaby
Name: John Wartnaby
Discharge Unit: Hants Regt.
Regiment Number: 200934
Rank: Pte
Badge Number: B314573
Unit: Infantry (Exeter)
Piece: 3024
List Number: C 1351/2-1650/1
Record Group: WO
Record Class: 329

(date of Enlistment 8/9/14 Discharge 14/9/19 sick given for cause. Served Overseas, Yes)

The British Empire lost more than 700,000 service personnel killed in World War 1. An even greater number were discharged because of wounds or illness. In September 1916, King George V authorized the Silver War Badge (SWB) to honor all military personnel who had served at home or overseas since 4 August 1914 and who had been discharged because of wounds or illness. The SWB was a small, circular badge made of sterling silver, bearing the king’s initials, a crown, and the inscriptions ‘For King and Empire’ and ‘Services Rendered’.
The SWB was not simply an honor; it also served a practical purpose. At the time, men of military age who were not obviously in the service were sometimes accosted or insulted by civilians presenting them with white feathers — a symbol of cowardice — for shirking their patriotic duty. The badge served as an outward symbol that the wearer’s duty to country had been honorably fulfilled.

Chris :)