Royal Naval Division badge

[Stirrick]

One of my wife's relations, CPO Thomas Watson, DCM, MM, of the Hood Battalion, RND, was killed in action in March 1918. While preparing to depart from his final home leave, he told his sister Betsy that he had a premonition that he wouldn't be coming home again and gave her one of the badges off his uniform as a keepsake.

Betsy Watson treasured the badge for the rest of her life and often wore it as a brooch. We think we have a photograph of her wearing it (attached). I know the resolution isn't great, but can anyone identify it ? I did google it but there appear to be a huge number of badges associated with the Royal Naval Division.

Thanks

Andy

[tonepad]

What is the wording underneath the anchor on the brooch?
Can you post a larger image of just the brooch?


Tony

[Stirrick]

Sorry, no, that's all we've got.

We were a bit concerned that since the girl is wearing a 'sailor suit', what appears to be a 'brooch' might actually be part of the outfit. But we think that the lettering clarifies it as this mysterious brooch.

Andy

[MaxD]

If the "brooch" is the item with what appears to be an anchor then I find it difficult to relate it to any part of a RN uniform.

She is wearing items of a junior ratings uniform (collar, silk, lanyard, tapes) which perhaps were his  before being promoted.

MaxD

[Stirrick]

Now that's an interesting take on it, Max.

We thought the outfit would have just been one that was fashionable during wartime.
But looking again, it seems to be too big for her.

So I suppose it could have been Tommy's.

Good spot !

[MaxD]

The white tapes that hold the silk together are interesting too as they are normally black but are white by convention when a sailor is married in square rig uniform - perhaps they are telling each other something!

MaxD

 

[alan o]

It's not an RND uniform badge that I recognise.

[tonepad]

Having looked at the photo carefully, have concluded there is no brooch.
The anchor motif with perhaps R N D above it and some unknown lettering underneath is written on an undergarment or cloth the young lady is wearing. This is shown through a gap in the lace collar around her neck and accounts for the irregular border around the lettering and anchor motif.


Tony

[Stirrick]

Thanks guys.

Your help is much appreciated.

Andy