WW1 Silver War Badge (SWB) to Andrew Pope, 43rd Training Rerserve Battalion -Discharged for Idiocy

A first pattern SWB officially impressed 195205 awarded to Private Andrew Pope of the 43rd Training Reserve Battalion. An unmarked silver circlet inscribed 'For King And Empire Services Rendered' bearing crowned 'GRI' Imperial Cypher to voided centre. In good condition, some polishing to crown, functional but crudely replaced pin on east-west fittings. Circa 32mm in diameter. Copy of CD version of SWB roll entry Copy of WW1 Medal Index Card (MIC) to be supplied.

The documents above confirm his number as TR/9/16579, that he was enlisted on 14th December 1916, and discharged 17th May 1917. The MIC mentions no medals, but I think he would have been entitled to a British War Medal. Clearly him and the army were a poor fit, and the grounds for discharge on both documents, was on the grounds of 'Idiocy'.

The 43rd TR Battalion was known as the 10th (Reserve) Bn, the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), based at Wareham. Read more about this at:

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/training-reserve/

Approximately 1,150,000 badges were issued to all services, which had to be claimed and then approved. The first pattern SWB was issued between September 1916 and March 1918, and these were of a better quality than most later stampings. Around 335,000 of these early badges were issued to all services.

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Code: 61493