Demobilised Recruit Badge WW1 - Leonard Davis

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Stokes & Sons

c. 1918

Subcollections

Overview

This badge is oval-shaped, and has the raised words "Enlisted in A.I.F. 1918 Issued by Dept of Defence".
Front: The oval shaped badge has the raised words 'ENLISTED IN A.I.F. 1918 ISSUED BY DEPT OF DEFENCE' in a band around the edge with the Australian coat-of-arms in the centre.
Back: On the reverse are two horizontal brazed-on lugs with the maker's name 'STOKES & SONS MELB' and a stamped serial number '9297'.

Historical information

This badge was recently found on the neighbouring property to the Busselton Museum.
Affectionately known as the “Too Bloody Late” Medal, it is oval-shaped, has the raised words "Enlisted in A.I.F. 1918 Issued by Dept of Defence" and is stamped with the serial number 9297.
The badge was issued to those A.I.F. recruits who, at the time of the Armistice, in November 1918, were training in Australia, or who had enlisted but had not yet been called into camp for training.
It was also issued to serving members of the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery who had volunteered, but not embarked, for service in the A.I.F. Siege Artillery Brigade.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2024.210

Item type

Themes

Material

Width

25 mm

Height or length

35 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Front: "Enlisted in A.I.F. 1918
Issued by Dept of Defence"

Back: "Stokes & Sons, Melb"
" 9297 "

Contextual information

Badge number 9297 was issued to British-born Leonard Nixon Davis, the 18-year-old son of Nelson Davis of Victoria Park (Western Australia), who enlisted in the A.I.F. on 13 May 1918.
He had previously served two years as a cadet. Leonard commenced his training at Blackboy Hill and was still undergoing training when the war ended on 11 November.
He was discharged on Christmas Eve 1918.
Leonard married Matilda Tipper in 1923, and for several years after their marriage they worked in Wonnerup where his father farmed.
By 1931 Leonard and his large family had moved to Perth where he worked as a labourer until his retirement.
Leonard died in September 1990 and is buried with his wife Matilda in the Bunbury Cemetery.

Keywords

Australian Imperial Force

Demobilised Recruit Badge

Leonard Nixon Davis

WW1

Place made

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Year

c. 1918

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance