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Recollections of War > Records

Royal Australian Air Force gold filled maple leaf sweetheart brooch

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c. 1939

Overview

World War Two era Royal Australian Air Force gold filled sweetheart brooch in the shape of a maple leaf.
It features an enamel crest in the centre with a gold wreath surrounding the letters 'RAAF' on a dark blue background, surmounted by a King's Crown with red enamel detailing.
The leaf has a stalk, raised border and prominent venation etched into the surface.
The reverse has the text 'GOLD FILLED' stamped on the lower edge, and has a pin clasp with rotating swivel lock for attachment.

Historical information

This sweetheart brooch is one of many produced and sold to servicemen to give to their loved ones.

While the maple leaf is traditionally a Canadian motif, it was incorporated into variations of allied sweetheart jewellery and souvenirs to symbolise collaborative Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) partnerships during the war. Many Australian airmen trained as wireless operators and air gunners in Canada as part of this scheme, before rejoining RAAF and RAF squadrons.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00954

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Jewellery

Personal Effects

Themes

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Enamels

Gold

Metal

Silver

Width

29 mm

Height or length

30 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On front of brooch:

"RAAF"

On reverse of brooch:

"GOLD FILLED"

Keywords

Royal Australian Air Force

Sweetheart Brooch

Sweetheart Badge

History - Social

Year

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Last modified

Sunday, 26 July, 2026

Completeness

94

Recollections of War

Recollections of War

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Royal Australian Air Force gold filled maple leaf sweetheart brooch

Royal Australian Air Force gold filled maple leaf sweetheart brooch

Reverse of Royal Australian Air Force gold filled maple leaf sweetheart brooch

Reverse of Royal Australian Air Force gold filled maple leaf sweetheart brooch

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