Life Member -  Royal British Legion Badges

The Life Membership Badge  of the Royal British Legion has evolved in the 79 years since its beginning in the early 1920's

Various enamel badge manufacturers have had the honour of manufacturing the different types of Life Membership badge over the years.

British Legion Badge Size

In the British Legion Head Quarters Branch Price List February 1937 badges where issued in two sizes Large and Miniature. Miniature badges either had a screw back or a pin back.

In this online exhibition of Royal British Legion (RBL)  and British Legion Life Membership Badges the visitor will see how it has evolve from its first appearance in the 1921 of a polished silver plated finish (purchased life membership) or polished nickel (awarded) and blue enamel to the current  model.

[Link to Award Criteria Page]

Adams Badges - RBL
Birmingham Medal Company BL
J. R. Gaunt, London/Birmingham - RBL, BL
Ludlow of London - BL
Premier Badges - RBL
Roden of London - BL

Awarded Life Membership

National Life membership may be awarded to a member who has given at least ten years meritorious and conspicuous service to the objectives of the Legion as defined by the Royal Charter and who holds the Legion Gold Badge. The recipient retains his full rights without payment of subscriptions for the rest of his natural life.

When National Life membership is approved a framed certificate is sent to the member's branch for issue, together with a National Life membership card and badge.

Purchased Life Membership

During a brief period of the early 1970s the Legion not only awarded Life Membership but sold Life memberships to raise monies for the Poppy Appeal. The silver plated badge was re-introduced for this purpose. An example of one can be seen below that has been donated by Jerry Murphy of the British Legion Memorabilia Collectors Club


MAY 2008
Exhibition

 Royal British Legion  Silver Plated Purchased Life Membership badge