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 North Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Physical Description

Round metal badge in shades of blue. Seated silhouette of a soldier holding out a cup in centre circle. Name and address of maker on outer, lower rim. Pin at back fits into slot.

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