The Michael J. Wintjens Collection of Military Badges

Michael J Wintjens

Michael's interest in military insignia was sparked when, as a young London refugee in 1939 he was billeted on a former Lieut.-Colonel of the Leicestershire Regiment in Great Glen, Leicestershire, this was developed as upon his return to the Capital he found the city awash with service personnel from all over the Empire.

National Service in the Royal Army Pay Corps and subsequent Territorial Service in the Honourable Artillery Company furthered this interest, and over forty years membership of the Military Historical Society has enabled him to meet fellow collectors and pursue his interest.  For Michael the hobby has always remained as such and has not become an obsession, much of his interest being in the personnel and lineage of the many corps. Consequently his collection reflects this approach, casually adding badges as they came along.  He has now decided to rationalise his collection but retains his quite vast library.