The Civil Defence Corps was founded in 1949. It was a civilian and totally volunteer group who were intended to take charge in the event of a nuclear war. In such circumstances, members of the corps became important people, organising rescues, removal of debris and managing what resources there were. Their token of office was a small buttonhole badge.
1949-53 Civil Defence Corps badge given by Mrs Gale of The Spring, Market Lavington
This one appears to be the 1949 to 1953 style. Later badges were more silvery in colour and less golden. We have the original (we think) box.
The badge box
So it is a Civil Defence Corps 3 pattern badge.
The badge was given to the museum by Mrs Gale of The Spring in Market Lavington. We do not know who the corps member was. Perhaps by 1968 it was realised that in the event of all out nuclear war local volunteers were unlikely to have survived.
The Civil Defence Corps was disbanded in 1968. Fortunately, it was never needed
Market Lavington Museum 