a very scarce World War I Service Badge issued by the Eastern Telegraph Company to its employees who remained on cable duty during wartime. A brass metal badge to the Telegraph Cable Service and bearing the inscriptions Oceanus non Dissociat (the ocean does not separate) and Sub Mari Ubique (everywhere under the sea), the shield has two crossed grapnel and mushroom anchors and is guarded either side by two mermaids; the design is surmounted by an eagle and has laurel branches underneath. The badge has a horseshoe buttonhole fitting which is stamped with an issue number 1092 and is maker marked to Firmin and Sons of London
