Territorial Force Imperial Service Badge

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Territorial Force Imperial Service Badge
Awarded by The United Kingdom
Type Badge
Eligibility Territorial Force - Ranks and Officers
Awarded for Granted to those members of the Territorial Force who were prepared to serve outside the United Kingdom in defence of the Empire
Campaign Mainly, but not restricted to, First World War.
Status This award:
Description as follows:
  • Ribbon = None
  • Metal = Cupro-nickel or Brass
  • Size = 10mm by 43mm
  • Shape = Horizontal Bar surmounted by royal crown. Raised inscription: IMPERIAL SERVICE.
Statistics
Established 1912

The Imperial Service Badge


The Territorial Force Imperial Service Badge was a short lived decoration of the United Kingdom awarded to to those members of the Territorial Force who were prepared to serve outside the United Kingdom in defence of the Empire. The conditions of enlistment for the TF laid down at their creation in 1908 did not allow for soldiers to be sent for service overseas against their will, as the TF was intended for home defence. However, any man could volunteer for the Imperial Service Section and serve abroad in times of war, which entitled him to wear this badge.[1]

The majority of those who received the award did so for services during the First World War.

This badge became obsolete when the Territorial Force was elevated to become the Territorial Army.[2]


[edit] References

  1. ^ Westlake, R, (1991), British Territorial Units 1914-18, Osprey Books.
  2. ^ Mackay, J., Mussell, J.W., Editorial Team of Medal News, (2005), The Medal Yearbook, page 226, (Token Publishing Limited)