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This badge is described on page 34 (& illustrated on page 35) of "Insigne si Alte Insemne Romanesti 1861-1947" by Eugen Calianu, Bucuresti, 2000.

I translate the information as:

Instituted through Royal Decree nr. 64/16.1.1940
Published in Monitorul Oficial nr. 32/8.1.1940

Regulation nr. 14/1940, approved by the above decree stipulated that "Insigna Voluntarilor" in the war for unification of the country be conferred to all volunteers into army units and services, as well as those who enlisted in the Romanian volunteer legions of allied countries. It was conferred for life by the Ministry of national defence, the right of wearing the insignia being personal and non transferable.

If somone would like to validate my effort at translation I will email a scan of the pages to them.

Thank you b737 for the image of the Carol II Volunteers badge.

However, I still maintain that although the badges presented above are indeed for volunteers of WW1, they were only instituted in January of 1940. I have attached scans of pages 34 & 35 from “Insignia si Alte Insemne Romanesti 1861-1947” by Eugen Calianu, Bucuresti 2000, so that members may judge for themselves.

http://img188.imageshack.us/i/calianu124ad.jpg/ http://img402.imageshack.us/i/calianu124b.jpg/

The badge that you have illustrated was issued during WW2, although, again according to Calianu, it was instituted in 1939, by Royal Decree nr. 3012 (published in Monitorul Oficial nr. 179/5.VIII.1939), some significant time before Romania entered the war on 22 June 1941.

I translate (with help from a Romanian friend) Calianu’s text for this WW2 badge as:
“According to the decree which instituted it, the insignia was created to symbolise the spirit of duty & loyalty to the throne & country of young men, aged at least 18, who volunteered to serve in the army…………………..The insignia was awarded to all volunteers under arms, starting with the contingent of 1937, who can prove that they have satisfied the provisions of the law of recruitment into the corp of troops.”

Again I have attached a scan of the relevant page (33) from the Calianu book so that members may judge for themselves.

http://img188.imageshack.us/i/calianu122.jpg/

Alan in Bradford

The book is in A4 format and consists of 104 pages. Despite the title there are only brief background references to the 19th century. All illustrated insignia are from the first half of the 20th century. Having said that, I have found it a very informative and useful reference work.

My copy of this book is indeed a copy which was kindly produced for me by a fellow collector friend in Bucuresti who has an original.

In my British innocence, I had thought that it was a standard work on the subject. I am now informed by my friend however that the book was published privately by the author and given only to a few friends and colleagues. On the inside title page there is a dedication from the author to my friend.

As regards buying the book, I am sorry but I can only suggest an approach to Mr Calianu to see if he has any remaining copies available. Or possibly search the second hand book stores.

Alan in Bradford