Summary

Returned from Active Service badge made by Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, Australia, 1914-1919. It is inscribed with the number 203194.

Badges such as this one were issued to soldiers by the Department of Defence to indicate they had returned from active service. It showed they had helped the war effort by serving their country. Sometimes returned soldiers were wrongfully accused of showing disloyalty to their country because they were not seen wearing a military uniform so wearing the badge helped avoid this. A number was often stamped on the reverse and a certifcate was provided as authentication.

Physical Description

A crowned bronze badge with one lug removed from back. The obverse has the rising sun behind a crown; below (worn) on ribbon, AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES; below, A.I.F; around, ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE . RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE. The reverse has been stamped, 203194 and has the makers name, STOKES & SONS / MELB

Obverse Description

The rising sun behind a crown; below on ribbon, AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES (worn); below, A.I.F; around, ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE . RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE.

Reverse Description

Stamped, 203194; below, the makers name, STOKES & SONS / MELB

Edge Description

plain

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