Hungerford Arcade has many wonderful things in all the units and today, I want to show you the beautiful Sweetheart Brooches in Ann Parker’s Unit 42P.
Many wonderful things were made in the trenches of WWI from old shell cases and bullet casings. This gave the soldiers something to while away the hours and help take their mind off the long wait for the next order to go over the top and face the enemy once again! This was called Trench Art which is very popular from a collector’s point of view and you can often find wonderful examples of them at the Arcade.
During the Great War (WWI), service personnel desperately wanted to stay in touch with their loved ones and sent home many different types of memorbilia. Valentine’s Day, Birthdays and Christmas were all special occasions and men from the different Armed Forces started to make Sweetheart jewellery using their various badges and insignia to make Sweetheart brooches and pendants to send to their wives, girlfriends, sisters and mothers who would wear them with pride, remembering their brave men away at war in a foreign land. At the time, this would have been Regimental badges, Royal Navy insignia and the Royal Flying Corps wings.
Very rare Grenadier Guards Sweetheart Brooch in 18ct Gold and Diamonds
This tradition carried on into WWII. This time, the Sweetheart brooches insignia and badges were made in miniature by jewellers and other jewellery makers. Now, it included the Royal Air Force (formerly the Royal Flying Corps). Compared to the mainly big service badges and insignia, they were easier to wear on different types of clothing and were still very much treasured by the ladies who received them.
Today, these Sweetheart brooches are very collectable. They are a wonderful piece of our heritage and when you touch one, you can feel the love with which it was given and received.
As you can see, Ann (Unit 42P) has a wonderful collection. The next time you are in the Arcade, stop by her unit (by the desk) and have a look at the Sweetheart brooches and a great deal more.
