Badge identification

[iian]

Hi,
a photo of my grandfather and his brother taken during the first world war.

My grandfather is in uniform on the left but i'm keen to identify the badge as worn by his younger brother beside him.
His brother died in 1918 from Influenza, aged 18, so not long after this photo was taken and he was in the Merchent navy. They were both born in Ipswich.

Any info about the photo would be appreciated but in particular the badge.

Thanks

Ian

[km1971]

Hi Ian

It looks like crossed anchors, so obviously something to do with his job. It may be a badge given to seamen to stop them being presented with a white feather. Lots of businesses gave 'on war service' badges to their men doing essential war work. So it may be one from his shipping line, or a general merchant marine one. If you get no joy on here I would contact someone like the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Individual records for seamen were re-introduced in 1913. Those for 1913 to 1917 were destroyed but you may find one for 1918. Other than that you need to know a ship and look at the crew lists.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=128

Or if he was employed by one line, it may be given on his death certificate.


Ken

[corisande]

The crossed anchors are to do with him being a bosun or bosun's mate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boatswain%27s_Mate_%28US_Coast_Guard%29

is about the US Coast Guard, but if you Google you will see the symbol was used in UK as well. The crossed anchors were used in RN for Petty Officers up to 1905