General Service Badge

On Friday, March 29th, 1940 Canada's Administrator in Council, W. Duff, signed Order in Council P.C.1022. This established the War Service Badge "Service" Class. This was for members of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who have declared their willingness, or who have engaged, to serve in any of the said forces on active service beyond Canada and Overseas, during the present war, and who have been honourably ceased to serve on active service:

1. After not less than three months of continuous paid service
2. By reason of physical disability

The proposed badge was to be a large white metal button 1 3/8 inches high by 7/8 inches wide (35mm by 22 mm) with shank and back; on top a crown; underneath a panel with a stamped serial number, then a shield with three maple leafs, in red enamel, on a single stem, with a Union Jack in the upper left corner and three gold fleurs-de-lis in a blue circle on the upper right; on the bottom a scroll with the word SERVICE; the reverse with the raised legend PENALTY FOR MISUSE 500 DOLLARS OR SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.

A subsequent design of the badge consisted of a silver-coloured shield with three maple leaves joined on one stem, surmounted by a crown and underneath on a scroll the words GENERAL SERVICE. A serial number was stamped on the reverse with the raised legend PENALTY FOR MISUSE 500 DOLLARS OR SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT. In a third design, the shank was replaced by a pin backing.