'Our Soldiers' 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 'Our Soldiers' Day' appeal. 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 has a gold-bordered art nouveau style heart within a green wreath, surmounted by a yellow seven-pointed star, all on a royal purple background with a thin, cream border.
The words 'Discharged Soldiers' Fund For Our Returned Soldiers' are written within the heart on a stippled cream background.
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.

'Our Soldiers' Day' button day was held on December 1 1916 with proceeds raised for the relief of discharged soldiers.

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

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00401

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Medicine & Health
Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material