Summary

Badge made by P.U. King of Melbourne, for the Queensland Railway Union, circa 1910. It was collected as part of a group of badges over a fifteen year period during which Andrew Reeves undertook extensive research in the field of Trade Union Material Culture, and had extensive contact with the Trade Union movement Australia wide.

The Queensland Railway Union was established in the early 1900s, well known early members include: Edward (Ned) Michael Hanlon, Frank Cooper, Mick Kirwan, Joe Sherry, Timothy Moroney and Tom Brown. After the 1912 general strike in Brisbane, Hanlon, Cooper, Kirwan and Sherry were all required to leave the railway service, as part of the settlement terms. In 1920 the Queensland Railway Union combined with 'all grades' organizations in other States to form the successful, militant Australian Railways Union.

Physical Description

Circular silver and blue and white enamel button with a crown with a hole set in the top. Thin raised silver border, band of blue enamel with raised silver lettering in it and a raised silver border. Silver outline of Queensland, filled with white enamel, silver emu set into this area surrounding this incised horizontally. Manufacturers name and a number are stamped into the back.

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