Australian Women's Army Service (A.W.A.S.) Assocation Victoria badge

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K.G. Luke Melb.

c. 1952

Overview

Post World War Two, circular metal and enamel badge issued to a member of the Australian Women's Army Service (A.W.A.S.) Association of Victoria.
The badge has a gold centre featuring a Rising Sun badge with a Queen's crown in the centre.
There is a broad strip of blue enamel between the central gold area and the thin gold border, upon which the text 'A.W.A.S. Association Vic.' appears in gold letters.
The reverse has a stippled, textured gold finish into which the number 227 has been engraved above the pin, and the maker's details written inside a rectangular box below the pin.
The badge has a pointed metal pin which fits into a curved slot for attachment.

Historical information

According to the Australian War Memorial, "The Australian Women’s Army Service (A.W.A.S.) was formed in August 1941 to release men from some military duties to serve with fighting units. Women worked in traditional roles such as clerks, typists and cooks. They were also employed as drivers, signallers, and provosts in areas such as intelligence, chemical trials, electrical and chemical engineering, and ordnance."
The A.W.A.S. was a non-medical women's service. It was disbanded in June 1947 after the end of World War Two.
Women who had served together in the A.W.A.S formed associations in each state.
This badge was issued to a member of the Victorian Association. Unlike the N.S.W. Association badge, this one is smaller and has no place for the annual year disc to go.
The Queen's Crown on the front of the badge indicates that it was made after 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II became the reigning British monarch.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00394

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Defence > Army
Leisure
Social History
War and Conflict

Material

Enamels

Metal