WWII era paper fundraising tag - Battle Stations Week
1942World War Two era circular paper patriotic tag sold in Brisbane by the Australian Comforts Fund in August 1942 to support the 'Battle Stations Week' appeal.
It features the patriotic colours of red, white and blue on a cream background.
It has a central blue six-pointed star (symbol of the Australian Comforts Fund) overprinted with portraits of members from three branches of the military - Royal Australian Navy at top, Australian Army at lower left, and Royal Australian Air Force at lower right.
All of the text on the tag is printed in vibrant red. Around the top rim of the tag are the words 'BATTLE STATIONS WEEK' while in the central area is text reading 'Q'ld. Patriotic and Australian / COMFORTS FUND / and Y.M.C.A. (War Work)'. The bottom rim has the campaign slogan 'THEY'RE WORTH GIVING FOR – IT'S YOU THEY'RE FIGHTING FOR'.
There is a small hole at the centre top through which a piece of dark pink cotton cord is threaded for attachment.
The reverse has the denomination of 1/- (1 shilling) printed in large black text. A name, 'E. Mathieson', is handwritten in black ink vertically on the right hand side.
There are no maker's marks.
During World War Two, the 'Battle Stations' Appeal (and its designated fundraising drive, 'Battle Stations Week') was a major patriotic campaign launched in Australia.The movement brought together several accredited voluntary organisations, specifically the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF), the YMCA, the YWCA, and the Salvation Army.
Street collections featured widespread community mobilisation, including the Women of the University War Work Group and young girls presenting Union Jacks to passersby on Brisbane streetcorners to collect loose change.
The primary mission of the 'Battle Stations' Appeal was to raise money to supply 'comforts' to Australian and Allied troops stationed at their frontline battle stations (such as those serving in the Middle East, New Guinea, and northern coastal defences). Unlike the Red Cross, which legally specialised in caring only for the sick, wounded, and prisoners of war, the ACF and YMCA were dedicated entirely to maintaining the morale, physical welfare, and humanity of fit and active soldiers.
The ACF distributed a large portion of its raised funds directly to the YMCA. The YMCA used this capital to establish mobile canteens, construct rest huts, provide writing materials, screen movies, and coordinate essential recreation at active bases.
This tag was attached with a safety pin to another featuring a Chinese symbol (representing blessing/happiness and longevity) sold to raise money for medical aid, food, and refugee assistance to the Chinese people enduring the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Both tags were signed by the same person, E. Mathieson, on the reverse, so it seems likely that they were purchased at the same time and worn as proof of donation to both causes.
Details
Details
On front of tag from top to bottom:
"BATTLE STATIONS WEEK"
"Q'ld. Patriotic and Australian
COMFORTS FUND
and Y.M.C.A. (War Work)"
" "THEY'RE WORTH GIVING FOR – IT'S YOU THEY'RE FIGHTING FOR"
On reverse of tag:
"1/-"
"E. Mathieson"
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