Royal Naval Lay Readers Society badge, circa 1930-59.

Royal Naval Lay Readers Society Badge (c.1930–1959)

A scarce and highly collectable piece of Royal Navy religious-service insignia, this Royal Naval Lay Readers Society (RNLRS) badge dates from the organisation’s active uniformed period between 1930 and 1959.

gilded metal with coloured enamel, the maker’s mark of Toye, Kenning & Spencer, one of Britain’s most respected manufacturers of military and ceremonial regalia.

The badge was worn by Royal Navy Lay Readers – trained Anglican lay ministers who assisted with worship, pastoral care and religious duties aboard ships and naval establishments when chaplains were not available.

In 1930 the organisation became the Royal Naval Lay Readers Society, and from then until 1959 Lay Readers served as recognised uniformed personnel. This badge is from that exact era.

Because Lay Readers formed a very small specialist group, their uniform insignia were produced in limited numbers, and surviving examples are notably hard to find – especially in this condition.