Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

Second World War Female Relative Badge

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Angus & Coote

1942

Overview

Circular metal badge with Royal Crown above map of Australian surrounded by chain and wreath with words "TO THE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA" and a suspended metal bar linked by metal loops which features 4 brass stars.

Historical information

Issued by the Department of Defense to the wives, mothers or nearest female relative of serving personnel during Second World War. The number of stars on the bar depicting the number of that family serving.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2008.7.2

Item type

Badges

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Metal

Width

25 mm

Height or length

25 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On front "To The Women of Australia"
On reverse "Issued by the C'wealth. Govt" A131588 "Angus + Coote" 1942

Contextual Information

This badge was issued to Evangeline MOIR who had four sons serving during the Second World War; Lloyd Owen 2/4th MGB WX9338 ; George 2/4th MGB WX9339 ; Basil Rex 16th Battalion WX36802 ; Vernon Clement RAAF 29433. The 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion was formed late in 1940 entirely of Western Australians. After training initially in Northam they headed to Adelaide then Darwin. They reached Singapore (via Sydney and Fremantle) early in 1942 just as the Japanese were preparing to invade. Many were KIA and the rest were taken prisoner and dispersed among the various Prisoner of War camps throughout Malaysia. All of her sons came home. Of great social significance it was a way of recognizing the sacrifice of women and especially mothers.

Keywords

Place made

Australia

Year

1942

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance