HMS Achilles Gold and Enamel Sweetheart Pin Brooch Badge

An attractive sweetheart pin bar badge brooch, which sadly has had the coiled pin bar damaged and partly broken off, but otherwise in good condition with no damage to the blue enamel. The reverse impressed "9ct" (9 carat gold). Condition of pin reflected in price but could be repaired.

Possible ships:

HMS Achilles (1905) was a Warrior-class armoured cruiser launched in 1905 and sold in 1921.
HMS Achilles (70) was a Leander-class light cruiser launched in 1932. She would serve with the Royal Navy's New Zealand Division from 31 March 1937 up to the creation of the Royal New Zealand Navy, into which she was transferred in September 1941 and recommissioned HMNZS Achilles. Her crew was approximately 60 per cent from New Zealand. She was transferred back to the Royal Navy from the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1946. She was then transferred to the Royal Indian Navy in 1948 as HMIS Delhi, eventually becoming INS Delhi and was scrapped in 1978.
HMS Achilles (F12) was a Leander-class frigate launched in 1968. She was sold to Chile in 1990 and renamed Ministro Zenteno.

On the morning of 13 December 1939, the middle ship of the three possible listed above to which this brooch may relate was one of a force light cruisers consisting of Achilles, Ajax and Exeter who engaged the pocket battleship, Admiral Graf Spee. A fierce battle ensue in which Achilles suffered some damage. In the exchange of fire, four crew were killed, her captain, W. E. Parry, was wounded.

F23.2

Code: 60680