United Patriots Benefit Society enamel badge (pre-1940’s)

            Presumably a member’s badge of the United Patriots Benefit Society (UPBS). The UPBS were an independent Friendly society founded in 1843 with the aim of providing it’s members with low cost insurance. It was funded mainly from member’s subscriptions and covered such needs as loss by fire, wife’s lying-in hospital care, debt imprisonment, militia call-up, old-age relief and funerals. The UPBS were certainly still active in 1989 but after that my research has drawn a blank. If anyone knows whether they are still active or when they ceased to exist, using the above name, please let me know.

During the mid-19th century there was a proliferation of ‘mutual’ and ‘friendly’ societies to cater for the poorer sections of society that the mainstream commercial companies ignored. The UPBS were founded in 1843 by Ruffey Ridley (later known as D.W. Ruffey) who was a leading figure in the Consolidated Trades Union, as well as London Chartism. 

The badge is made from die-stamped brass with three enamels (blue, red & white) and originally with a tin-plated finish (traces remain on the reverse side). There is a pin clasp and a maker’s name – Toye & Co, London. From the style of manufacture it likely dates to the 1920’s or 1930’s. it measures 1 1/8” across x 1 1/16” down (about 28mm x 26mm).

Thank you for reading.
Stuart.

Taken on: December 3, 2009

Tags:

United Patriots Friendly Society

United Patriots National Friendly Society

enamel badge

Ruffey Ridley

Toye & Company

Mutual societies

Friendly Societies

Insurance « less

Sets appears in: • Other badges

Groups appears in: • ENAMEL BADGES

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix A400, f/3.3, 1/200 sec, 6.4mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Fujifilm FinePix A400
Aperture:	f/3.3
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	6.4mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Digital Camera FinePix A400 Ver1.01
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