Imperial Gift Foundation Imperial Soldier’s Relief Association Badges ("Two Crossed Shields" Badges)/恩賜財團 軍人援護會章

Association was founded by Imperial Rescript on October 3, 1938 (its predecessor - Imperial Soldiers' Relief Association https://asiamedals.info/threads/imperial-soldiers-relief-association-history-and-badge-index.25295/)

The Emperor donated 300 million yen to the association, hence its official naming The Imperial Gift Foundation /恩賜財團/. Association functioned under the control of the Ministry of Welfare section within the Army Ministry. It had a nation-wide network of branches in each town, district and prefecture. The association’s purpose was to provide financial and social support for disabled soldiers and support the families of soldiers who went to the front.​

Association Badges.

No. 257

Obverse

Emblem of the association.

Reverse

恩賜財團 軍人援護會 - Imperial Gift Foundation Imperial Soldier’s Relief Association

All badges were numbered.
The number was punched.
In this case

第二五七號 - No. 257

Badges were made in pure silver and bear a mark 純銀 - pure silver under the pin.

 

No. 312

Punched

第三一二號 - No.312

 

Original case.

In the center

徽章 - badge

In the left lower corner

恩賜財團 軍人援護會 - Imperial Gift Foundation Imperial Soldier’s Relief Association

 

No. 660

Size 35×26 mm.
Weight 19 g.

Punched

第六六〇號 - No. 660


Mark 純銀 - pure silver.

Original case.

All known badges were made by Minami workshop in Tokyo https://asiamedals.info/threads/badges-made-by-minami-workshop.23368/

 

No. 634

Punched

第六三四號 - No. 634

Mark.

 

No. 714

Punched

第七一四號 - No. 714

Details of design.

 

No. 728

Specimen from personal collection with maximum presently known number.

Punched

第七二八號 - No. 728

Original case.

All known badges were made by Minami workshop in Tokyo https://asiamedals.info/threads/badges-made-by-minami-workshop.23368/

 

Association Certificates of Commendation /表彰状/

This one was issued in October 1942.

Watermarks.

 

Another one from October 1942.

Details.

 

Association was using the very same form for the donation appreciation certificates.

本会ノ主旨二賛同 - Support [for the purposes] of the Society

Issued on August 26, 1943.

Watermarks.

金貮拾圓 - Gold 20 Yen

 

Another document for different sum that was issued on December 19, 1942.

 

Certificate issued in July 1939.

Certificate issued on September 28, 1939.

 

Association award plaque.

Details.

小国民進軍歌 - Small National March Song

恩賜財團 軍人援護會長賞 - Imperial Gift Foundation Imperial Soldier’s Relief Association Chairman's Award

 

Another wall plaque.

 

Association was also issuing cases for storing/presenting to the bereaved family awards of KIA soldier and bereaved family badge with document.
Two types of cases are known.

Elongated rectangle type.

記念 - Commemorative

恩賜財團 軍人援護會 - Imperial Gift Foundation Imperial Soldier’s Relief Association

 

Shortened rectangle type without tassels.

 

Inside is the name of association.

 

Typical content of such cases.

 

 

KIA groups are more than typical for these cases.