<P> A white feather has been a traditional symbol of cowardice, used and recognised especially within the British Army and in countries of the British Empire since the 18th century, especially by patriotic groups, including some early feminists, in order to shame men who were not soldiers . It also carries opposite meanings, however: in some cases of pacifism, and in the United States, of extraordinary bravery and excellence in combat marksmanship . </P> <P> As a symbol of cowardice, the white feather supposedly comes from cockfighting and the belief that a cockerel sporting a white feather in its tail is likely to be a poor fighter . Pure - breed gamecocks do not show white feathers, so its presence indicates that the cockerel is an inferior cross-breed . </P> <P> In August 1914, at the start of the First World War, Admiral Charles Fitzgerald founded the Order of the White Feather with support from the prominent author Mrs Humphrey Ward . The organization aimed to shame men into enlisting in the British army by persuading women to present them with a white feather if they were not wearing a uniform . </P>

British women's organization encouraged enlistment during wwi