'Lady Hennessy's Patriotic Day' fundraising button 1916 - large size

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Commonwealth Button Fund

1916

Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button sold during World War One to support the 'Lady Hennessy's Patriotic Day' appeal in 1916. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
The button has a broad gold border encircling a replica of the small version of the button, which features the Australian flag on a red background with a broad band of pale blue around the outside. At the bottom is a belt buckle and on the upper side are the words 'For our fighting men' in large cream letters.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment.

Historical information

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 'Lady Hennessy's Patriotic Day' button day was held on 24 March 1916 and proceeds were given to Lady Hennessy's Patriotic League, which provided comforts to Australian men fighting at the front.

This larger sized button sold for 2/6, while the smaller size sold for 1 shilling.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00408

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Ink