Oxfordshire County Fire Service was formed in 1948 after the N.F.S. (National Fire Service) was disbanded. It remained in force until changing its badge title to “ Oxfordshire Fire Service “ in 1974 when Oxfordshire County Fire Service absorbed Oxford City County Borough Fire Brigade in the new Government Fire Services Act of that year. The title changed to Oxfordshire Fire Service & the cap badge changed from a “shield & scroll” type badge to a “coat of arms” style.
Oxfordshire dates back to Saxon Times, deriving it’s name from the Saxon word “ Oxenaforda “ meaning ford of the oxen. Shortly after the Norman invasion of 1066 Oxford Castle was erected, the City is also widely accepted as being one of the oldest learning institutes, Oxford University was built in 12th Century & has become one of the most famous in the world! It is also a large county of over 2,605 kilometers square, its main centre is Oxford City but has many large towns like Bicester, Banbury, Henley on Thames, Kidlington, Abingdon & Didcot where the large power stations are situated.
This cap badge is an excellent condition original J.R Gaunt issued cap badge, official cap badge suppliers to the Oxfordshire County Fire Service. It has sturdy cap fixing lugs to the rear of the home office star & the enamel is in great condition, the badge centre to this standard economy issue home office star is secured by a long thin pin. A 100% original 1948 to 1974 cap badge from Oxfordshire Fire Service to grace any cap badge collection.