United Kingdom. An Independent Order Of Foresters (Iof) Membership Badge In Gold

In 10K Gold with red, white and blue enamels, weighing 7 grams inclusive of its ribbon, marked with the British lion, date marked "K" (1934), marked with an anchor (made in Birmingham) and marked "10K" (Gold) on the reverse, measuring 24.3 mm (w) x 28.5 mm (h), suspension bar inscribed "LBC", original ribbon suspended from a hanger with pinback inscribed "IOF", intact enamels, light contact, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) is a fraternal organization, now based in Toronto, Ontario and operating under the brand name Foresters Financial. Foresters traces its origin to a British Friendly Society, a mutual organization caring for the sick. The original Foresters groups allegedly banded together for mutual aid and protection in fourteenth century England, in or near the ancient royal forests which belonged to the monarchy. Although the older history cannot be proven, there was a society called the Royal Foresters in the eighteenth century. Membership originally was gained by combat, first with quarterstaffs, then with swords and finally with cudgels, until initiation by combat was abandoned in 1843. In 1834, the Royal Foresters formed a Friendly Society, the Ancient Order of Foresters (AOF). The IOF in the United States became independent of the AOF in 1874, and as of 2014, operates a separate UK division, Forester Life, based in South London. The expansion of the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) into Canada in 1875 is attributed to a prominent doctor and community leader, Oronhyatekha. Of Mohawk descent, born in 1841 at Six Nations near present-day Brantford, Ontario, Oronhyatekha ("Burning Sky") was baptized Peter Martin and later attended Oxford, where he became medical doctor. Dr. Oronhyatekha held the office of Supreme Chief Ranger (now called "International Fraternal President") from 1879 until 1906; he died in 1907. By the early 1890s, he had successfully transformed the Foresters into one of North America's leading fraternal benefit societies. Foresters membership reached 257,000 in 1906. Through the twentieth century, it amalgamated with various other fraternal organizations, including the Ontario part of one of the oldest, the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Historically, Foresters has also actively helped communities in need. As of 2014 Foresters supports various community causes in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, through direct investment in national and local community partnerships, branch funding and educational scholarships.