Brass and enamel Rising Sun badge sweetheart brooch

During both World Wars, patriotic military sweetheart items were widely purchased by servicemen to give to their mothers, sisters, wives or girlfriends to wear at home as a token of remembrance and pride.

The Rising Sun badge is of the third pattern which was the emblem for the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces from 1904-1949.
Although such items may have been produced during World War Two, it is more likely that is is from the World War One period. This is due to the pairing of badge and boomerang, but also that the Australian government placed a strict ban on manufacturing commercial jewellery in 1942 to redirect metals and materials toward the necessary war effort. However, it is not possible to be absolutely certain when it was produced.

This is one of several Rising Sun badges in the form of stick pins, brooches and lockets held in the collection.