'Hospital Day' fundraising button 1920 - small size

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Commonwealth Button Fund

1920

Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button sold during World War One to support the 'Hospital Day' appeal in 1916. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
The button features an image of a dog holding a collection bucket in its mouth and wearing a Red Cross flag around its middle (red cross on white background). The circular area around the dog is pale gold in colour. To the outside of this is a cream band and then the outer band and rim are black. The black band contains the words 'Please help the hospitals' in red letters.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment.

Historical information

The Commonwealth Button Fund was established in mid-1915, with the first Button Day being held in November of that year, supporting the people of Belgium. Over the course of the next 6 years, 33 Button Days were held raising money for a variety of patriotic and charitable causes including the Australian, British and French Red Cross, Hospitals, allied countries, current serving men and women, discharged, wounded and disabled servicemen and women, and their families. The buttons were sold in trams, buses, at railways stations and at rallies to raise money for the stated cause.

The final button day administered by the Commonwealth Button fund was held on 22 October 1920 for 'Hospital Day'. By this time, button sales and funds raised were decreasing, as were the numbers of volunteer collectors.

This smaller sized button sold for 1 shilling, while the larger size sold for 2/6.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00430

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Ink