Mystery breast star - Chaplain badge

[Greg]

Can anyone help identify this item?

This breast star (a bit big to be for a hat) is about 10 cm (4 inches) across and has the badge common to the Chaplains Departments of several Commonwealth countries.

[leigh kitchen]

Interesting, but I know nothing about it, other than that the colours of metals & enamels are different to the British cap badge.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Greg, can you show the back?

Plates like this remind me of ones worn on the broad shoulder belts,

I wonder if it came off a band instrument harness, for example a Drummer?

Or a band thats not military connected??

Kevin in Deva :beer:

[Ed_Haynes]

These awards of the British conservative organization, the Primrose League, crop up from time to time and cause much confusion.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primrose_League

[Kev in Deva]

Hi Ed,

to my eyes the center device in the first picture differs from that on the link you posted.

Wiki Picture referred too in Eds Link.

Or have they modified it in time?

Kevin in Deva.

[Ed_Haynes]

As I recall, it has changed over time. This one has been discussed on various fora and is most confusing.

At least I think. Rather working from memory here.

Edited July 21, 2008 by Ed_Haynes

[leigh kitchen]

Interesting that they should move away from a motif of Disraeli's favourite flower to a strtaight copy of the Royal Army Chaplains Depertment (I think that design was adopted by the RACD in 1922?)

[Bear]

Hello,

Here is a cap badge that is similiar.

Royal Army Chaplains' Department

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Army_Chaplains_Department

barry

[leigh kitchen]

I'm trying to remember the colours of the King's Crown RACD cap badge I have - it's as per the centre piece of the star shown, but I think it's of Gilt, with silver & blue enamelled cross.

Anybody know anything about "Agnew", the manufacturer of the star?

[Greg]

Here's the back. There's actually another of these items on ebay at the moment.

Greg.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Greg,

I took the liberty of posting your pictures on the G.W.R. Forum:-

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...mp;#entry965945

The replies go in the direction of it being from the: Chaplains Department of the British / Commonwealth Military.

Kevin in Deva. :beer:

[perce]

Could be a stole badge -rather than a capbadge

Perce

[Greg]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...A:IT&ih=013

this is the one on ebay at present. The centre design is certainly that used by Commonwealth Chaplain's Departments but it is not a piece of the uniform and certainly couldn't be worn on a stole. It could but your stole would end up on the floor.

I suspect that it is from a Masonic organisation or association of military chaplains but having been one, I've never heard of any association using this badge/star.

Anyone found out anything about the maker AGNEW ?

Greg.

[MattGibbs]

These items have turned up on ebay over the last couple of years, and probably before. They are not connected to the Royal Army Chaplains Department. They do happen to appear to use some similar devices to the Commonwealth chaplaincy service badges. Others have the same motto in Latin. [probably taken from Canadian cap badges].

I heard from 2 sources [canadian grapevine and RAChD museum] that they have been created in Canada for several years for sale to unsuspecting buyers. What is there to suspect? Not much, since no one appears to know quite what they are for. If they are made to sell as "possible" chaplain pieces that would explain something.

I have seen these done as ear-rings and sweetheart brooches as well.

regards

Matt

[Greg]

I have seen these done as ear-rings and sweetheart brooches as well.

regards

Matt

[MattGibbs]

Greg;

I meant the same design as the centre used in the creation of this spurious [possibly faked] breast star. I have seen them in red like this, and also blue and green. I strongly suspect they were made taking the design from the small RAChD collar dog and probably by the same individual who made that breast star.

thanks

Matt

PS editted because I have now found a photo I saved of said items for reference, plus another one of a breast star sold last yr on ebay, plus a fantasy ap badge with blue and red enamelling

Edited October 12, 2008 by MattGibbs

[leigh kitchen]

RAChD scarf badges as currently advertised & sold by Hand & Lock, London - with King's Crown for some reason, presumably for re-enactment etc:

Edited December 9, 2008 by leigh kitchen

[MattGibbs]

Leigh;

These are Chaplains Scarf badges. The stole is something different and quite a bit smaller.

Indeed almost certainly produced for museums or re-enactment as the originals were embroidered directly on to the Scarf itself. They look well made.

Regards

Matt

[leigh kitchen]

Thanks, probably my mistake rather than the manufacturers - I've ammended "stole" to "scarf".