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Busselton Historical Society > Records

Fundraising Badge - "For Our Fighting Men"

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Unknown

1914 - 1918

Subcollections

Overview

A circular tinplate badge with a celluloid face and a stick pin at the back. On the front, a pale blue border with an image of a belt buckle. Words marked in white capital letters. Centre depicts fluttering Australian flag in front of a red background.

Note: A printed paper design was placed on a thin sheet of celluloid, which was then covered with a pressed metal shell and secured with a pin. This method of production made celluloid badges more accessible and affordable for fundraising efforts.

The most common design featured a paper or celluloid face wrapped over a pressed tin backing with a metal pin.

Historical information

Fundraising badges during WW1 were small, inexpensive tokens distributed to citizens in exchange for donations. These "pin" or "button" badges helped fund war efforts, support wounded soldiers, and aid refugees or prisoners of war. Sold during high-energy street drives and national "Badge Days", they were highly visible symbols of patriotism and civic duty. During World War I, fundraising badges (often called "tinnies" or "patriot buttons") were small, mass-produced tokens given to citizens in exchange for a donation. Worn proudly on clothing to show civic duty and financial support, they funded charities like the Red Cross, the Wattle Day League, and Veterans' Widows.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2019.129

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Souvenirs

Themes

War and Conflict

Material

Metal

Paper

Plastic

Inscriptions and markings

"For Our Fighting Men"

Contextual information

This badge was produced for ‘Button Day for Our Fighting Men’ fundraiser in World War I.

Keywords

Fundraising

World War 1 souvenir

Badges & Buttons

NUMISMATICS

Place made

Australia

Year

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Last modified

Sunday, 21 June, 2026

Completeness

100

Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

Other items from Busselton Historical Society

Fundraising Badge -"For our fighting men"

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