The Badge in Gold is the Legion's Highest Award
The Legion recognises any outstanding contribution by members to the
organisation through a series of awards.
Highest Award
The Royal British Legion and The Royal British Legion Scotland Badge in Gold award started in the 1930s. Since a
National Consultation earlier this year it has become The Legion's Highest Award
that can be bestowed upon a member. It may be awarded to a member who has given
at least eight years meritorious and conspicuous service to the objectives of
the Legion as defined by the Royal Charter.
National Chairman’s Approval
Following National Chairman’s approval to the award, the formation must meet the
cost of the badge. Officially on the death of a recipient the badge becomes the
property of the next of kin, who may retain it or return it to the formation to
issue to another individual for whom the award has been approved.
9ct Hallmarked Gold
The Gold Badge is made in 9ct hallmarked gold and each badge is engraved with a
unique identification number that identifies the person who the badge has been
awarded to.
Historical Notes
There are two Legion Badges in Gold in our exhibition below are of particular
interest from a collector's and from a historical prospective. Firstly the
newest (right) from the Birmingham Medal and Badge Company (BMBC) 26mm x 26mm is
hallmarked Birmingham Serif letter "J" 1933 which indicates that it is one of
the Legion's earliest awarded Legion Badge in Gold. And secondly and perhaps
more importantly of the two is the 1972 hallmarked Royal British Legion Badge in
Gold manufactured by Court Jewellers J. R Gaunt & Son, bears the Queen's crown
for the first time. Both have the Birmingham assay 'Anchor' hallmark.
Award Criteria
The award criteria for the Legion Badge in Gold in the 1930s to the early 1950s
was not as rigorous as it is today. There were no registration numbers engraved
on the badge, which means the so honoured member cannot be identified or trace
which branch the badge was issued to.
The British Legion unpolished Gold badge is one of the last of its type bearing
the date letter 'S' for 1967, in the last four years of the British Legion.
The Royal British Legion Badge in Gold bears the hallmark letter 'X' for 1972
which means it was manufactured in the first year of Queen's crown above The
Royal British Legion badge.
