Summary

Munitions Worker Badge issued by the Department of Defence and manufactured by Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, 1914-1918.

Badges were sometimes issued to those who did not got to war by the Department of Defence to indicate that "permission to serve had been withheld owing to services being required in Australia". This practise was established after people helping the war effort found themselves subjected to criticism and personal attacks. They were wrongfully accused of showing disloyalty to their country because they were not seen wearing a military uniform. A number was often stamped on the reverse and a certifcate was provided as authentication.

Physical Description

A bronze badge. The obverse features the Australian coat of arms set on a ribbon with the ledgend MUNITIONS WORKER; curved below, the word, AUSTRALIA. The reverse has the legend ISSUED / BY / DEPARTMENT / OF / DEFENCE / STOKES & SON MELBOURNE; stamped 2104. The lugs for attaching the badge to clothing have been removed.

Obverse Description

Australian coat of arms set on a ribbon with the legend 'MUNITIONS WORKER'; curved below, the word, 'AUSTRALIA'.

Reverse Description

The legend 'ISSUED / BY / DEPARTMENT / OF / DEFENCE / STOKES & SON MELBOURNE'; stamped '2104'. The lugs for attaching the badge to clothing have been removed.

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