Item HT 40951 Badge - Female Relatives Badge, 'To Women of Australia For Duty Done', circa 1917

Summary

Alternative Name(s): Female Relative Badge, Female Relative's Badge

Female relative's badge from World War I, silver metal and enamel, numbered 39214 (referring to register number for badge rather than service number). It was made by Stokes & Sons. The holes at the lower edges of the badge were used to suspend bars, one for each family member serving overseas.

Under Military Order 280 of 1917 (later Military Order 1818 of 1918), badges such as this were issued by the Department of Defence to the closest female relative of men serving overseas in the Australian Imperial Force. An alternative badge, which replaced the 'AIF' in the centre with an anchor, was issued to the closest female relative of men serving in the Royal Australian Navy. During World War II a single design was created for the female relatives of men serving in all services.

Physical Description

Silver badge with a blue enamelled oval around the cut-out letters 'AIF', surmounted by a crown. The oval is inscribed 'ISSUED BY DEPT OF DEFENCE TO WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA'. An enamelled scroll beneath this contains the words 'FOR DUTY DONE'. The reverse is stamped with the maker's details and serial number. Pin fastening on the back. The reverse is stamped with the maker's details and the number