British Army button with royal cypher.

This button features the royal cypher of King George VI, the letters "G V I R" with a crown on top of these letters. Around this, written inside of a garter shape, is the phrase, "HONI SOIT Q MAL Y PENSE," in Old French. The word "qui" is missing from the phrase on the button, with only a "Q" visible. Each word is separated by a dot. This phrase roughly translates to, "Evil be to him who evil thinks." On the reverse of the button, written in circular text is the name of the manufacturer, "PITT & CO.," separated on each side by a dot and the the location of the company, "34 MADDOX ST. LONDON.

  • OCLC #: 993439528
  • Physical Location: Special Collections — Hunter — REALIA 03685
  • Personal Collection:
    • WWI Hunter Collection
  • Production, Publication, Distribution, Manufacture, and Copyright Notice: London : Pitt & Co., [between 1936 and 1945?]
  • Physical Description: 1 button : metal ; 3 cm in diameter
  • General Notes:
    • Title by cataloger.
    • Date based on the beginning of George VI's reign and the end of World War II.
    • The saying, "honi soit qui mal y pense" traces its origins to use by the Order of the Garter, an order of knights in Great Britain. Certain divisions within the British army use the phrase on buttons and badges, inscribing it within the order's garter symbol.
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