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Recollections of War > Records

WWI fundraising button 'Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On'

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A.W. Patrick

c. 1916

Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button featuring a greyscale image of a young Australian Light Horse trooper, wearing his uniform and distinctive slouch hat with emu plumes.
It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
The background is cream but there are quite a few age spots. The writing 'Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On' is in red block letters above and below the central image.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment. The maker's name appears on the rim of the button in red lettering.

Historical information

The WWI fundraising button "Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On" was designed to raise funds for the construction of homes for repatriated soldiers, specifically the War Veterans Home in Myrtle Bank, Adelaide. This served as a Repatriation Hospital during the First World War from March 1917.
The slogan "Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On" conveyed a message of resilience and optimism during the war.
South Australia was very active on the home front during wartime, having several fundraising charities unique to the state. These included the School's Patriotic Fund, Fighting Forces Comforts Fund and the Cheer Up Society,

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00514

Item type

Themes

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Width

32 mm

Height or length

32 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On front of button:

"CHEER-UP
WE'RE BOXING ON"

Around rim of button:

"A.W. PATRICK MAKER 440 RAE ST NTH. FITZROY."

Keywords

Badges & Buttons

Australian Light Horse

Cheer-Up Society

History - Social

Place made

North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

Year

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Last modified

Wednesday, 7 May, 2025

Completeness

100

Recollections of War

Recollections of War

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WWI fundraising button 'Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On'

WWI fundraising button 'Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On'

Reverse of WWI fundraising button 'Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On'

WWI fundraising button 'Cheer-Up, We're Boxing On'

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