V.C.F. Button — Volunteer Civil Force (“Winston’s Bobbies”), c.1913–1915

Large 25mm V.C.F. Button — Volunteer Civil Force (“Winston’s Bobbies”), c.1913–1915

This is a uniform button of the Volunteer Civil Force (V.C.F.), a London-based volunteer policing body that crossed over into wartime home service in 1914.

∙ Front: St George on horseback slaying the dragon, with the Latin motto “PRO REGE LEGE ET GREGE” around the rim (“For King, Law and People”) and the initials V.C.F. below
∙ Reverse: Brass loop shank, with maker’s mark “ENGLISH MAKE” stamped around the back. This was a common British trade mark used on buttons made to distinguish them from imported continental work, particularly after the Merchandise Marks Act