'Wounded Soldiers Day' fundraising button 1915 - large size Collector's badge

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Commonwealth Button Fund

1915

Overview

Circular badge or button issued during World War One to official collectors who were selling badges to support the 'Wounded Soldiers Day' appeal in 1915. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
The button has a broad gold border encircling a replica of the small version of the button, which is multi-coloured, with a depiction of an Australian soldier in uniform holding his rifle with attached bayonet in the centre. He has a white bandage around his head and blood is seen running from the head wound onto his wrist and the ground below.
He is standing on a rocky coastal outcrop with the pale blue sea and a ship in the background. The words 'Lest we forget' are written around the upper circumference in red letters on a cream background.
On the bottom edge is a gold bordered, cream rectangular panel with rounded corners where the collector's number would be printed. A thin line of cream extends from the edges of the rectangle and continues around the central circular area of the badge.
The words 'Copyright Regd.' are written in gold on a cream background on the rim.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment.

Historical information

The Commonwealth Button Fund was established in mid-1915, with the first Button Day being held in May of that year, supporting the people of Belgium. Over the course of the next 6 years, 33 Button Days were held raising money for a variety of patriotic and charitable causes including the Australian, British and French Red Cross, Hospitals, allied countries, current serving men and women, discharged, wounded and disabled servicemen and women, and their families. The buttons were sold in trams, buses, at railways stations and at rallies to raise money for the stated cause.

The third Commonwealth Button Fund appeal, 'Wounded Soldiers Day', was held on Australia Day, Friday 30 July 1915.
The appeal focused on the spirit of the Australians after the Gallipoli campaign, with proceeds going towards support of wounded and maimed soldiers.
According to Nick Pezikian and David Andersen in their book about Commonwealth Button Fund badges, over 200 000 buttons were produced, with sales continuing through August.
The smaller sized button sold for 1 shilling and an example is held in the collection. A larger size was also produced and sold for 2/6.

This larger sized 'Collector's Badge' relating to 'Wounded Soldiers Day' is associated with the badges sold by the collectors.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00415

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Ink