Summary
Victorian Protestant Federation badge, 'For God, King, Empire', made circa 1917.
The Victorian Protestant Federation (VPF) was active during and after World War I. Its aims were the protection of the principles of the liberty of conscience, freedom of worship and a Protestant revival; its targets were the Catholic Church and Archbiship Mannix, who opposed the war and conscription. The Victorian Protestant Federation was founded by Walter Albiston, who strongly supported conscription and the Empire. It later became the Australian Protestant Federation (APF).
Badge used by a member of the Victorian Protestant Federation which was formed by a group of Protestant clergy in Ballarat in response to the large Catholic Federation. The PFA was formed in early 1917, and continued to be active after the First World War.
Part of a collection of objects from a deceased estate, acquired by Museum Victoria in 2001.
Physical Description
Quatrefoil shaped brass badge with suspension loop at top. Bronze letters 'VPF' in a red enamel shield at the centre with a white enamelled background encircled by a blue enamelled band, with bronze letters reading 'FOR GOD / KING / EMPIRE'.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mrs Lyn Mather, 01 Aug 2001
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Manufacturer
A.C. Bowman, Fitzroy, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1917 or later
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Inscriptions
Text of badge: 'FOR GOD KING / EMPIRE' Shield: 'VPF'. Reverse: A.C. BOWMAN / FITZROY'.
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
2.5 cm (Length), 3.2 cm (Height)
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References
J. McQuilton: Rural Australia and the Great War, p.208 - 210. Niel Gunson, 'Albiston, Walter (1889-1965)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, [Link 1] published in hardcopy 1979, accessed online 3 April 2014. Judith Brett, Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class, CUP, 2003, p.43.
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Keywords
Religions: Protestants, Sectarianism, World War I, 1914-1918, Conscription
