WWI fundraising ribbon - For Kith and Kin, Red Cross Day 1915

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 second Commonwealth Button Fund appeal, 'Red Cross Day', was held on 2 July 1915. It was organised for the Australian Branch of the Red Cross. Badges were made locally by the Victorian Christian Endeavour Union. They were made in two sizes and sold for two different prices. The smaller button was sold to schoolchildren at the reduced price of 3 pence, whereas the large button was sold for 1 shilling to the general public. Proceeds from the appeal were given to the Red Cross.

Authorised collectors wore a larger sized badge with an identical central graphic surrounded by a broad gold band and a space for the official number to be written. A Collector's badge is held in the collection.

This fundraising ribbon features the same graphic as printed onto the badges and appears to be rare.

Philip Roy Dennett (known as Roy) was born in Prospect, South Australia on 30 May 1897. He was an 18 year old postal assistant when he enlisted with the 29th Battery of the 8th Field Artillery Brigade, A.I.F. on 21 September 1915. His service number was 19629.
He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on 20 May 1916 and served in France as a Gunner and a Driver.
He returned to Australia aboard HMAS Australia in June 1919 and as discharged a month later.

This ribbon is one from a group of 4 tags, 6 ribbons and a souvenir booklet dating from World War One which were purchased together. They were all attached to a cardboard backing protected with plastic. Written on the cardboard was: '19629 GNR P.R. DENNETT, 8 F.A.B. A.I.F.'
Roy Dennett would have been serving overseas when many of the ribbons and tags were produced and purchased, so they were possibly bought and saved by a family member. This would have been seen as supporting the war effort generally and Roy more specifically.

They are rare survivors. The ribbons in particular are very delicate and were not designed to last. They are ephemera in the true sense of the word.

The portrait of Roy was obtained from a distant relative and is printed with her permission.