WWI fundraising tag - Railway Soldiers Day Patriotic Fund 1918

Shortly after the outbreak of World War One, the Railway Patriotic Fund was formed,to assist the wives, widows and dependents of railway soldiers. A ward was established at Kangaroo Point Military Hospital at Yungaba in Brisbane to look after wounded railwaymen.
It was originally supported by fellow railwaymen and rail companies. By April 1918, 2400 railway employees had signed up and further public fundraising was undertaken.
The Railway Soldiers Day Patriotic Fund collection day occurred on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 April 1918, and included 'ten miles of pennies'.

Philip Roy Dennett (known as Roy) was born in Prospect, South Australia on 30 May 1897. He was an 18 year old postal assistant when he enlisted with the 29th Battery of the 8th Field Artillery Brigade, A.I.F. on 21 September 1915. His service number was 19629.
He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on 20 May 1916 and served in France as a Gunner and a Driver.
He returned to Australia aboard HMAS Australia in June 1919 and as discharged a month later.

This tag is one from a group of 4 tags, 6 ribbons and a souvenir booklet dating from World War One which were purchased together. They were all attached to a cardboard backing protected with plastic. Written on the cardboard was: '19629 GNR P.R. DENNETT, 8 F.A.B. A.I.F.'
Roy Dennett would have been serving overseas when many of the ribbons and tags were produced and purchased, so they were possibly bought and saved by a family member. This would have been seen as supporting the war effort generally and Roy more specifically.

They are rare survivors. The ribbons in particular are very delicate and were not designed to last. They are ephemera in the true sense of the word.

The portrait of Roy was obtained from a distant relative and is printed with her permission.