Manly Navy League fundraising button - Vendetta

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Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button sold during World War Two to support the 'Manly Navy League' Vendetta Training Base appeal. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
The text and motif are printed in dark blue on a cream background.
It features a central illustration of a fouled anchor wrapped in rope and flanked by small decorative sprigs, surmounted by a British Naval crown. The text 'NAVY LEAGUE' curves along the top border of this central emblem, while the motto 'KEEP WATCH' curves along the bottom. The denomination '6D' (sixpence) is printed in blue at the very bottom centre.
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. There are no maker's marks.

Historical information

Navy League is a maritime advocacy organisation originally founded in the United Kingdom in 1895, which went on to establish independent branches globally in other Commonwealth countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
The Navy League of Australia became a fully independent Australian national body in 1950 dedicated to promoting maritime awareness, a strong naval defence, and robust commercial shipping industries.

The Manly Navy League was tied to the Navy League Sea Cadet Corps. The Manly cadet sub-branch established a dedicated base named the Vendetta Training Depot.
Run by volunteer officers, the depot trained local teenage boys (ages 10–17) in seamanship, navigation, and discipline, effectively serving as a community pipeline for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

This button would have been issued to raise funds to support the Vendetta Training Depot.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01148

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Defence > Navy

Social History

Transport