R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942

1942
Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button produced in 1942 to raise funds for the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia (R.S.S. & A.I.L.A.)
It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
It features a depiction of an Australian soldier riding a horse wearing his uniform and bandolier, waving his hat towards the naval ship in the harbour and plane in the air as in farewell.
The letters 'R.S.S. & A.I.L.A.' appear in brown letters in the orange coloured border at the top of the central image, and 'APPEAL 1942' below.
The badge printing is not particuarly sharp and the central area is cream, brown and grey in colour.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment.
The makers details 'SHARPLES MAKERS ADELAIDE' are printed on the rim.

Historical information

The initials R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. stand for the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia. This organisation was established during World War One to look after the welfare of returned servicemen and was eventually renamed the Returned & Services League of Australia (R.S.L.) in 1965.

An almost identical graphic was used on a 1919 Commonwealth Button Fund 'In Commeroration' button, the only difference being the addition of the plane in the background.

Sharples (operating as Sharples Limited or Sharples Printery on Hindley Street, Adelaide) was a printing and manufacturing firm that produced historical commemorative badges, tinnies, and promotional buttons.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00975
Item type
Badges
Collectibles
Ephemera
Souvenirs
Material
Ink
Metal
Paper
Width
32 mm
Height or length
32 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On front of button:

"R.S.S. & A.I.L.A.
APPEAL 1942"

On rim of button:

"SHARPLES MAKERS ADELAIDE"

Place made
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Year
Primary significance criteria
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Tuesday, 28 July, 2026
Completeness
100
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Recollections of War

Recollections of War

R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
Angled view of R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
Angled view of R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
Other angled view of R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
Other angled view of R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
Reverse of R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
Reverse of R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. fundraising badge/button - 1942
View of rim showing maker's details
View of rim showing maker's details

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