Posted 11 years ago
LOUMANAL
(436 items)
I have found a lot of info. on the British, "WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICES" and I have found a lot of badges & medals issued to this very important WW2 organization but very little on the Canadian version of this organization. They played a very valid role in helping the population during times of crisis ie: air raids, bombings, feeding the people in bunkers etc. during the war (especially in Britain). I have copied a paragraph that describes a bit more the role they played during the war...
Canadian Women’s Voluntary Services
Another organization that contributed to the war effort at home was the Canadian Women’s Voluntary Services. The voluntary services helped to initiate, coordinate and be active in all voluntary services. Members provided first aid, home nursing and attended public functions. It also had an overseas brigade. Member Mary Kiddell attended Government House in Ottawa and received a medal and citation for her work.
This badge that I found today at a flea market was black and dirty but I could see the "STERLING" mark on the back. It cleaned up fabulously. I don't know if it was issued to all Canadian Women Volunteers who joined this service. I have not found any other online and I also wonder when it was issued. It measures 1 1/8" in diameter and has 3 Maple Leaves (very Canadian) on top. Any help truly appreciated, sincerely, R.E.R.(BOB)
Thank you Roycroftbooksfromme1, DrFluffy, aghcollect, blunderbuss2 and Aimathena for the Love! BOB
A wonderful piece of Canadiana, love it!
Thank you walksoftly for the comments/love and vanskyock24 & pops52 for the Love! RER(BOB)
Thank you geo26e for the Love, BOB
As I had never heard of the WVS, I searched online for more info on the organization & the pin. I didn't find another pin like it, so there may not have been very many handed out. Apparently they worked side by side with other volunteer agencies such as the Canadian Red Cross Society.
Here is a link to some info from the Halifax Regional Municipal Archives.
https://halifax.ca/archives/HalifaxWomensVoluntaryService.html
The info was donated by Leslie Pezzack of Halifax, NS.
You may be able to contact her for more info as she has a LinkedIn profile.
Thank you very much walksoftly! I'm happy that I uploaded this Medal/Badge for all to see. It shows that a lot of common folks with big hearts contributed by helping out, even with limited skills, during this very ugly war. It would have been great if the above link included some mention of Badges/ Medals that were supplied or awarded to these fine ladies. Thank you Manikin for the Love. BOB
The woman I mentioned above may know more than there was room for in the article. I think that it would be worth contacting her based on her LinkedIn profile.
Thank you antiques-in-nj for the Love! RER(BOB)
Thank you petey, mikelv85 and nutsabotas6 for the Love! BOB
Thank you Amandajane and pw-collector for the Love. RER(BOB)