WW2 Gravesend Sea School GSS Lapel Badge by J. R. Guant

Here on offer is a WW2 period Gravesend Sea School GSS lapel badge by J R Guant, Birmingham.

This circular white metal badge has the detailed image of a Viking ship on the front with GSS det in the sail. Around the inner edge are the words:

GRAVESEND SEA SCHOOL

Then on the reverse it has the half-moon shaped button hole fitting that is stamped with the maker:

J. R. GAUNT LONDON
The badge is in excellent condition retaining all its original fine detailing.

Some history relating to the GSS

The Gravesend Sea School was the National Sea Training School, based at Gravesend, Kent.
It was established in 1918 by the Shipping Federation to provide training for boys aged 16 to 18 years who wished to pursue a career in Britain's Merchant Navy. The School occupied premises at the west side of what is now Commercial Place, Gravesend. The building had originally been the Wates Hotel (renamed the Commercial Hotel in 1865) which by 1882 had been converted to a hostel for sailors between voyages, or who were destitute or shipwrecked.
In 1921, a three-masted square-rigged sailing ship that began life in 1893 as the Arranmore was acquired by the School and became the TS Vindicatrix.


During the Second World War, the Gravesend site was taken over by the Admiralty for use as an adult Merchant Navy training establishment, successively known as HMS Gamebird, HMS Gordon and HMS General Gordon. During this period, the School and the Vindicatrix relocated to Sharpness, Gloucestershire.
After the war, the Gravesend and Sharpness site both continued in operation under the name the National Sea Training Schools, renamed the National Sea Training Trust in 1963. In 1967, both establishments were replaced by the purpose-built National Sea Training College at Eastcourt Marshes, near Chalk. The old Gravesend building was demolished in 1975.

The badge measures is 1.25” (3.2cm) diameter and weighs 9g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Many thanks for taking the time to look.

Code: 52082