WW1 Canadian CEF 2 Year Overseas Service Stripe (2)

The WW1 Canadian CEF 2 Year Overseas Service Stripe is an original military insignia issued to members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Service stripes, also known as “overseas chevrons,” were introduced in 1918 to recognize the length of overseas service. Each stripe represents one year of active service outside Canada; the two-year stripe indicates that the wearer had served two full years abroad. The insignia is typically constructed from a strip of khaki or colored wool cloth, cut into a chevron shape and intended to be sewn onto the lower left sleeve of the uniform. The awarding of these stripes was an official act and held significance for acknowledging continuous overseas commitment in wartime. This artifact provides insight into the recognition of service among Canadian soldiers during the First World War and is an example of period military insignia used for identification and commendation.