Summary

Alternative Name(s): Car Screen & Window Badge.

Small plastic badge with a post-manufacture back pin. It is probably an example of the 'window and car screen badge' issued by the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA, later the RSL) Victoria, to raise funds for Anzac House, Melbourne, in the lead-up to a royal visit in April 1927. The design was likely by J. I. Northfield (per Commonwealth Gazette no. 49, 12 May 1947, no. 5522, p. 916).

The Age newspaper explained on 15 February 1927: 'Anzac House, the heart of the soldier movement in Victoria, and the State's chief memorial building, has not been paid for completely, and an effort is being made to discharge the debt before the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York on 21st April. To this end the Returned Soldiers' League, on behalf of the trustees of Anzac House, earnestly seeks support./ The chief means to be used for the raising of the amount is the sale of a window and car screen badge, which will show the Union Jack and Australian Ensign entwined, photographs of the Duke and Duchess of York, and of Anzac House memorial building, the words, "Welcome to the land of the Anzacs," and the signatures appended of the State Governor, the Premier of Victoria and Sir John Monash. / As far as the league is concerned, it is an ''appeal to end appeals," for if the full amount of the debt be received (£19,000) the unfettered revenue which will accrue from the building will be available for the league's welfare work. / The league gives service to distressed and incapacitated men, to the widows, widowed mothers and orphans of deceased soldiers. It is desired that the league should be able to inform their Royal Highnesses that Anzac House is free of debt. It is hoped that the Duke of York will, on his return, be able to announce the consummation of this desire to his brother, the Prince of Wales - the league's chief patron, and one who has always taken a keen interest in its work.'

Physical Description

Small rectangular badge with cut corners, with crudely-printed colour images of the red Australian ensign, a tall building, King George and Queen Mary, with their signatures, and text on a banner 'Welcome to the land of the Anzacs'; below: 'Proceeds in aid of the Anzac Memorial Fund'. A bent pin has been pushed through a rough hole the upper centre of the badge, allowing it to be secured to another surface.

Significance

The badge neatly combines Australian pride in the exploits of the Anzacs with imperial royal sentiment. It also represents Australian 'imperialism'; by appropriating the Anzacs to Australia only, it denies New Zealand soldiers their part in the 'Anzac' tradition/legend.

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