Summary

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

Female relative's badge from World War I. 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. Badges like this one were issued to the closest female relative of men serving in the Australian Imperial Force. A 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. Bars were added to the base of the badge to indicate other relatives serving overseas.

This particular example was issued to Lucy Harrison, the mother of Victor Leslie Harrison (#2594) who served as a Private with the 8th Battalion. Victor was a 25 year old railway hand when he enlisted and embarked from Australian in September 1915. He served at Gallipoli and in France before returning to Australia in May 1919. Victor's older brother, Bertram, did not enlist.

After his return, Victor married a teacher, Drusilla Contance Violet Layh, and appears to have returned to his work with the railways. The couple do not appear to have had any children and Victor died in 1971. Lucy Harrison died in 1924.

Physical Description

Badge made from silver and decorated with blue enamel. A blue enamel circle surrounds the voided word 'AIF' and is inscribed with the words 'ISSUED BY DEPT OF DEFENCE TO WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA'. Beneath the oval is a scroll inscribed 'FOR DUTY DONE' and the oval is surmounted by a crown.

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