Short Brothers Rochester OHMS aircraft makers badge

A rare original First World War period 'Short Brothers Rochester On His Majesty's Service war service badge'; large gilded brass quatrefoil example with blue enamel title surround and embossed winged propeller to the centre. Very good condition, retaining original buttonhole fitting, enamel intact, minor surface scratches.
Height 30mm.

Short Brothers Aviation Company was one of the earliest British Aircraft makers founded in 1908. It produced the first production aircraft in the world and found a specialist niche market in the manufacture of Flying Boats. During the Great War it fulfilled a number of Government contracts for the RNAS and later RAF. An example of their Short Admiralty Type 184a flying boat was the first aircraft in the world to attack a ship dropping a live torpedo. Before the end of the war it would also move into making Airships been awarded two contracts and moving to Cardington in Bedfordshire. In 1919 the company changed its Company name to “Short Brothers (Rochester & Bedford) Ltd.