Summary
Alternative Name(s): Button, Pin
Australian Comforts Fund fundraising badge from World War I.
Early in World War I local women's groups in Australia began working to provide provide tobacco, cakes, puddings, condensed milk, sugar, biscuits, newspapers and other 'luxury' items to supplement the Australian soldier's army rations. These fund-raising bodies were amalgamated in 1916 to form a national body, The Australian Comforts Fund (ACF), which undertook to provide 'comforts' to all Australians abroad. The ACF grew into an enormous fundraising, collecting, sorting and distribution organisation that rivalled the Red Cross. Although men took some executive positions on national and state committees, the bulk of the administrative and manual work fell on a huge 'army' of unpaid women.
The ACF was dissolved at the end of the War, but had proved such a success as a link between home and the battlefield that it was revived in 1940 to supply 'comforts' for a new generation of Australian soldiers.
This particular badge was made by A W Patrick of 440 Rae St., Nth Fitzroy, Victoria in 1918.
Physical Description
Round metal badge in light blue and light tan. Image of a digger on horse on front. Makers name and address on lower, outer rim. Pin at back that fits into slot. Words are around top edge.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Numismatics Collection, Museum of Victoria, 07 Aug 1995
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Manufacturer
A.W. Patrick, Fitzroy North, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1918
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Place & Date Used
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Made For
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Inscriptions
Text: AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND. FEBRUARY 1918/ A W PATRICK MAKER 440 RAE St Nth FITZROY. VIC.
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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
3.2 cm (Length)
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References
Picture Australia website [Link 1] accessed 27/11/2003 State Library of Victoria website, World War I 1914-1918: Women and the War. [Link 2] accessed 27/11/2003 Anzac Day website [Link 3] accessed 27/11/2003 GOOD,A.M:nd. Official Record of S.A. Button Days. League of Loyal Women's Rooms. (Sands and McDougall's), Adelaide.nd.
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Keywords
Community Organisations & Services, Wars & Conflicts, World War I Fundraising, World War I, 1914-1918, Soldiers' Comforts