{"product_id":"rare-ww1-women-s-army-auxiliary-corps-waac-numbered-cap-badge-j-r-gaunt-london-g10597","title":"Rare WW1 Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) Numbered Cap Badge – J.R. Gaunt London (G10597)","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptionally fine, 100% authentic First World War cap badge to the pioneering Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis scarce voided specimen features the interlaced initials 'WAAC' enclosed within a traditional laurel wreath.\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eT\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehis specific piece is of significant historical interest due to its dual authentication marks on the reverse side: it bears the crisp, raised maker's stamp of the prestigious J.R. GAUNT LONDON on the upper foliage, alongside its original, officially stamped tracking plaque numbered G10597 at the base.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormed in March 1917 under the leadership of Dr Mona Chalmers Watson, the WAAC was established to release vital male frontline personnel by deploying women into non-combat support roles across Great Britain and France. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing their exemplary bravery and steadfast service during the German Spring Offensive, Her Majesty Queen Mary became the unit’s Commandant-in-Chief in April 1918, formally renaming the unit Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause the unit insignia changed entirely to include the Queen's monogram following the restructure, this original 'WAAC' configuration was only manufactured for a tight 13-month window between 1917 and early 1918. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe \"G\" prefix serial number confirms this badge was officially itemised, recorded, and issued by the War Office to a specific enrolled volunteer during the height of the 1917 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 20px;\"\u003emobilisation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15pt;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThis badge is in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003ea good uncleaned condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eBrass with lugs and pin to the rear. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003ePlease examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57276848374025,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/5437\/0569\/files\/B4215BCA-1780-4C3B-93A6-34EE5289296C_1_201_a-Photoroom.png?v=1787668563","url":"https:\/\/haywardsantiques.co.uk\/products\/rare-ww1-women-s-army-auxiliary-corps-waac-numbered-cap-badge-j-r-gaunt-london-g10597","provider":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}