Does anyone out there have one and if so do they know what the letters and numbers stand for under the address. Thanks

@Pegwoman I don't know anyone who has one but I have seen similar discussed on the Ashington Memories Facebook group.

There were a few suggestions but most of the comments, by grandchildren, of those who had them seem to think that theywere worn by many in the areas where the coal mines were during WWII as the workers and family in the mining areas as those areas were likely to be targeted by the enemy.

The most detailed attempt to guess was

One comment suggested that the Woodhorn Museum might have the answer -

Edited July 25Jul 25 by Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

@Pegwoman - forgot to say - I have no idea what the letters 7 numbers at the bottom would stand for.

Not sure what the first leteer is - ?. F.S.B. 376.

Normal civilians carried these during ww2 incase they were killed during an air raid PSFR is for ration card personnel supply food information 376 is 376 is her personal number that she wood use at the bedlington food office bedlington station was classed as a luftwaffe target as the coal would be transported to river Tyne for merchant ships

Hope that solves your mystery

Definitely not what Deb Charlton from ashington said

First letter any thanks for the information. What you read as a P is a G I always just thought it meant girl. The p and g are hard to distinguish, because of how they were engraved. And the photo is not clear. Found your reply both interesting and informative. Many thanks.

Pegwoman just to let you know there very collectible 👍🏻

Hi @Pegwoman I think that G

F S 2 may stand for Government Food Supply, food office 2 (I think there were 2 food offices in the Bedlongton area).

Many thanks for your information. I have recently acquired two Bedlington terrier teacups / mugs from 1911. They go with my teapot. Thought I might post them.

Canny lass it is definitely a P not a G it was P for personal F food S supply R ration actually if they didn’t have disc people used to put this information on old spoons & coins removing the royal head of course original information was on the ration cards but people didn’t carry them around to an air raid shelter just this basic disc but definitely not a G on it

Hi pegwoman my youngest son who’s in the army I just sent him a collection of 1st W/W pennies I acquired them from the royal mint he was well pleased they came with a small book think he will keep them hopefully

How wonderful. My home is a living museum dating from 1906 to the present day. I love all the artefacts I have especially those from before I was born. Your son is lucky to have you.

8 hours ago, Canny lass said:

Hi @Pegwoman I think that G

F S 2 may stand for Government Food Supply, food office 2 (I think there were 2 food offices in the Bedlongton area).

There is one that Evan Martin identified in one of his books :-

I think it was her "National Registration Identity." I have my late Father in law's card and the top line has "G C E V. 310:1 " then his name, address etc. The disc would just be more durable than a paper card, especially in the war time conditions, air raid shelters etc

There appears to be vhave been various identity bracelets with different abbreviations. These are two that were posted on the Ashington FB group :-

14 hours ago, Vic Patterson said:

I think it was her "National Registration Identity." I have my late Father in law's card and the top line has "G C E V. 310:1 " then his name, address etc. The disc would just be more durable than a paper card, especially in the war time conditions, air raid shelters etc

100% correct, Vic. The 1939 register codes used are:

GCE enumeration district Bedlington Urban District Council.

V the area within the enumeration district where he lived.

310: 1 is his registration district: sub-district.

You can read Ada and Ethel’s info in the same way. GCC is the enumeration district code for Ashington.

Edited Tuesday at 18:572 days by Canny lass

On 26/07/2026 at 14:09, Pegwoman said:

What you read as a P is a G I always just thought it meant girl.

Hi again @Pegwoman. I think you may be right about that meaning. I’ve searched the archives and Internet and cannot find any mention of a PSFR, which Tony suggests (that’s not to say that it doesn’t exist, only that I can’t find any mention of it anywhere). My earlier idea that the medallion may have had something to do with the food office or rationing, I have totally abandoned. I’ve viewed several dozen ration cards over the past couple of days and all use the personal National Registration Number allotted to every person following the completion of the 1939 Register, in preparation for the pending war, ie: GCEV 310: 1 (the reg. nr of Vic’s late father-in-law) or  GCCI 154: 2 (allocated to Ada Robson in Ashington). Looking again at the medallion, I’m still inclined to think it reads G. F. S. 2  376 and that would equate nicely with the ‘Girls Friendly Society’.

In 1942, during the war, the Girls Friendly Society branch in Bedlington actively maintained local, parish-based youth work and community support for young women, 14 – 18 years old. The Bedlington Branch operated under the framework of the local Anglican Church. According to what I’ve been able to find out, groups like the GFS in industrial and mining communities kept young women connected through community work, assisting in local war efforts, Red Cross Support and regular meetings as well as providing safe recreational spaces.

Members received an annual membership card, pin, or “stamped metal disc/token” which could feature the society’s emblem on the reverse. I don’t suppose you have a picture of the reverse of Elizabeth Gibson’s medallion?

There were, as far as I can see, two types of members, the working- class girls, known as ‘members’ and the ladies, who were called ‘associates’. They both paid an annual subscription, tailored to their income, and the associates often provided recreation rooms in parish facilities or even in their own homes where the members could meet, read, sew etc.

There may still be some records available at the Northumberland Archives and, if you’re lucky, they may document meetings and member’s activities. Alternatively, the GFS is still active in both Blyth and Cramlington and they may be able to throw some light on the matter.

Edited 51 minutes ago51 min by Canny lass