WWI On War Service 1915 Munition Workers Badge

WWI On War Service 1915 Munition Workers Badge - Bronze gilt with blue and white enamels, maker marked "J.R. GAUNT LONDON" on the reverse, numbered "19120" on the buttonhole attachment, very crisp detail, 26 mm x 42.8 mm, light contact, intact enamels, better than very fine. Footnote: In early 1915, the War Office issued the "On War Service 1915" badge. It was at first a oval blue enamelled badge but with a design in its centre looking very much like the cap badge of the Army Ordnance Corps. A cheaper plain brass stamped badge was issued later when the cost of issuing large numbers of the enamelled badges was realized. The "On War Service 1915" badge was issued to men engaged in essential war work (other than shipyard work) and a list of certified occupations drawn up. Oddly, this list did not include coal miners, at a time when coal exports to France were at a million tons per month with double that required.