The First World War of 1914-18 affected nearly every family in Britain,
as well as those whose homes were in distant parts of what was then the
British Empire, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. All came
together in a common cause and most endured a common suffering. In
recent years there has been unprecedented interest in tracing the
careers of soldiers who fought in the Great War. This arises partly from
family history researchers taking advantage of the internet and improved
access to research archives, and to recognition by them of the
cataclysmic nature of the war that should have ended all wars. Many
family historians possess photographs from that era, usually of young,
eager boys in their first uniforms. But so many are anonymous and they
carry no detail of the sitter's Regiment or Corps. This book presents a
simple, illustrated guide to the badges that help identify this core
information about a First World War ancestor, whether it is a basic cap
badge, collar badge, arm, rank, service and proficiency badges or
particular items of regimental dress.