'Fighting Men's Day' fundraising button 1918 - small size
1918Circular fundraising badge or button sold during World War One to support the 'Fighting Men's Day' appeal in 1918. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
It features a central image of the head and shoulders of an Australian soldier in his khaki uniform and slouch hat with fixed bayonet in front of the Australian flag. There is a cream band around this image, within which the words 'Our Fighting Men' appear at the top of the arc and 'Australian Comforts Fund' below in red letters. The outer border and rim of the badge is gold in colour. The maker's details appear in blue lettering on the rim.
The reverse has a metal pin which encircles the edge of the badge before ending in a point which can be pushed through clothing for attachment.
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.
'Fighting Men's Day' button day was held on two separate dates in June and July 1918. Buttons were sold in the suburbs of Melbourne on 28 June, and on 5 July in the city. Proceeds were given to the Lady Mayoress' Patriotic League to provide comforts to the fighting men at the front.
This smaller sized button sold for 1 shilling, while the larger size sold for 2/6.
Details
Details
On front of badge:
"OUR FIGHTING MEN
AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND"
On rim of badge:
"A. PATRICK MAKER MELBOURNE SYDNEY ADELAIDE"
Other items by Commonwealth Button Fund
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'ANZAC Day' fundraising button 1916 - small size
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'Lady Hennessy's Patriotic Day' fundraising button 1916 - large size
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'King George's Day' fundraising button 1916 - large size
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'ANZAC Day' fundraising button 1917 - large size
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'Our Soldiers' Day' fundraising button 1916 - large size
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'Our Soldiers' Day' fundraising button 1916 - small size
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'Wounded Soldiers Day' fundraising button 1915 - large size Collector's badge
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'Salvation Army Day' fundraising button 1919 - small size
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'Lady Hennessy's Patriotic Day' fundraising button 1916 - small size
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'Italian Red Cross Day' fundraising button 1917 - small size
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'Italian Red Cross Day' fundraising button 1917 - large size
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'ANZAC Day' fundraising button 1917 - small size
Other items from Recollections of War
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'Wattle Day' fundraising button 1918 - small size
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'French Red Cross Appeal' fundraising button 1916 - child
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'Hospital Day' fundraising button 1919 - small size
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'Hospital Day' fundraising button 1920 - small size
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'Wattle Day' fundraising button 1919 - small size
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'Women's Day' fundraising button 1919 - large size
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'Red Triangle Day' fundraising button 1918 - small size
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'In Commemoration' fundraising button 1919 - large size
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Army Inspection Branch identification badge
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'Red Cross Day' fundraising button 1915 - large size Collector's badge
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