Material: Brass with blue enamel and red crown detailing
Description: This vintage lapel badge measures approximately 20 millimeters wide by 22 millimeters high and is struck from a solid brass base metal. The primary design features an oval medallion coated in a translucent, textured cobalt blue enamel that beautifully accentuates the central, raised brass letters "CD" standing for Civil Defence. Surmounting the oval emblem is a beautifully rendered King's Crown (Tudor Crown), which features red velvet enamel detailing in the inner cap voids and polished brass accenting across its arches. The reverse is fitted with an integrated, unmarked buttonhole crescent moon or horseshoe-shaped fastener designed to secure into a civilian coat lapel slit rather than a modern pin-back mechanism.
Circa: 1939–1945
Notes:
This specific badge design was issued throughout the United Kingdom during the Second World War to identify members of the Civil Defence services, including air raid wardens, rescue squads, fire watchers, and first aid parties. Because these essential volunteers operated in civilian attire before standard uniforms were widely available, the badge served as a vital piece of authority to allow them access through restricted areas during blackouts or immediate post-blitz rescue operations.