Submarine 'Love' Brooch On Display

A love token in the form of a submarine-shaped brooch which would have been given by a Royal Navy officer to his sweetheart is to go on display for the first time today after being discovered by museum staff.

The delicate piece of jewellery, which is dated 1909 and made of solid silver by Liberty's, is believed to have been commissioned by a serving submarine officer.

The brooch, which is reminiscent of a C class submarine, is to go on display alongside other tokens of love made by submariners at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire.

Archivist George Malcolmson said:

"I would think that this brooch is pretty unique - probably ordered by a submarine officer for his wife or girlfriend. I have never seen another one like this. It is a remarkable piece of jewellery and I would love to know more about the story behind it."

Mr Malcolmson added: 

"It was common for submariners to make their own tokens of love for sweethearts on the long stretches of service on submarines. Often many such objects were made from silver spoons 'borrowed' from the officers' mess on board a submarine."