A First World War Queen Mary's Needlework Guild Gilt Metal and Enamel Breast Badge, with original blue ribbon and three clasps for 1916, 1917 and 1918 Footnote:-The Queen Mary's Needlework Guild was formed just a few days into the Great War. A letter from the Queen asking the Women of the Empire to join the guild was published by the National press on the 4th August 1914 ''To alleviate all distress occasioned by the War!'' The purpose of the guild was to provide comforts and create articles of clothing and surgical equipment as well as other gifts to the troops fighting for King and Country at home and abroad.