Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
2012.007.001ab |
Object Name |
Badge, Identification |
Other Name |
Pin, Lapel |
Title |
Naval Engineering Works Essential Worker |
Lexicon category |
3: Personal Artifacts |
Date |
Likely early 1940s |
Artist |
Birks-Ellis |
Made |
Birks-Ellis |
Place of Origin |
Toronto, Ontario |
Description |
Screw post-style lapel pin (a) with a round fastener (b). It is made of enamelled brass. Its shape has eight tiny points, which simulate the helm wheel of a ship. It has a dark blue-enamelled ring with the words: "NAVAL ENGINEERING WORKS ESSENTIAL WORKER". Centrally, there is a motif of a three-bladed marine propeller. The back is impress-stamped with a "20" and "BIRKS-ELLIS / STERLING". |
Makers mark |
The back side is impress-stamped with a "20". "BIRKS-ELLIS / STERLING" is stamped at the bottom. |
Provenance |
Manufactured by the Birks-Ellis company of Toronto, Ontario. Likely dates to the early 1940s. Provenance unknown. This pin very likely dates from the Second World War time period. Halifax was a busy naval base and shipbuilding area where personnel went. Some Grey County men worked at the Midland Shipyards Ltd. company during the war, where corvettes were made. Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. made at least one corvette. Owen Sound's Wm. Kennedy & Sons Ltd. was an important manufacturer of ship propellers during the war, and shipped their propellers to Halifax, and their skilled workers likely had or wore badges to identify them as essential workers. A few of their workers likely travelled to Halifax on occasion. Russel Bros. of Owen Sound also did war-related marine work. Last owned by Bonna Rouse (née Goodwill) of Owen Sound, Grey County. |
Collection |
Organizational/Government Collection |
Material |
Brass/Enamel |
Dimensions |
D-0.7 Dia-2.5 cm |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Kennedy, William (Senior) |
Subjects |
Royal Canadian Navy Shipbuilding World War II Propellers Naval personnel Naval yards & naval stations Navies |
Search Terms |
Black Clawson-Kennedy William Kennedy & Sons Limited |
Function |
It was likely a badge produced for a civilian worker to wear when working at or travelling to a navy base or a shipbuilding facility. |