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

« Prev Item Next Item »

Sharples

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

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00975

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Souvenirs

Themes

Social History

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 2