ANZAC Buffet & Lounge 'Thank you' to voluntary workers framed silk

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Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd

1919

Overview

Framed olive green silk with faded yellow writing, featuring a central oval shaped colourful silk image of a kangaroo holding an Australian flag on a white and pale blue background.
Above the kangaroo are depictions of the Southern Cross and the Rising Sun badge. Directly underneath the kangaroo are the words 'Advance Australia' in a scroll, and below that red and yellow flowers (possibly rose and wattle). The border of the oval silk piece is secured with blanket stitch.
The writing below the central silk indicates the appreciation of 'The Diggers' to those who worked at the ANZAC Buffet as voluntary workers between 1915-1919. The date and place of the presentation and the name of the maker are also printed at the bottom.
The green silk has raw edges at top and bottom. It is difficult to photograph the writing on the silk. The frame needs to be turned at an angle to maximise the intensity of the yellow colour.
The frame is made from thin, light coloured timber and is glazed.
The back of the frame is covered with brown paper and has a string threaded through two metal eye hooks for hanging.

Historical information

According to the Australian War Memorial, the Anzac Buffet was established by the London branch of the Australian Natives' Association - an organisation of ex-patriot Australians - and opened in late 1915 to provide free meals and entertainment to Australian and New Zealand servicemen in London.
At that time the bulk of the Australian forces were still in Egypt and Gallipoli and the Buffet would have catered more towards convalescing soldiers from the Gallipoli campaign, and a small number of Australians attached to units in France.

The Anzac Buffet was originally located at 70 Victoria Street, then within two months moved to 130 Horseferry Road. In September 1916, it was relocated to 94 Victoria Street. Ostensibly this was because the original premises were required by military headquarters. However it was felt by some that the military did not want any competition for their newly opened Australian Soldiers' Club located nearby. The Club charged for meals and other comforts, while the Buffet continued to provide free meals and entertainment throughout the war.

The Buffet was open seven days a week and the staff generally fed and entertained 1000 Australian servicemen a day. In addition to serving meals, the Anzac Buffet had billiard, reading and writing, and music rooms as well as a smoking lounge.

The Buffet finally closed its doors for good on the 29th November 1919.

This presentation to voluntary workers is dated 26th March, 1919 and was presumably issued to those who served at the ANZAC Club and Buffet in a voluntary capacity during the First World War. The presentation took place at the newly opened Australia House.

Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd was a printing company started by Raphael Tuck and his wife in Bishopsgate in the City of London in October 1866. They sold pictures and greeting cards, before moving into postcards, which became their most successful line.
The central oval embroidered portion of the silk is similar to those produced in their millions by French women during the First World War.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00476

Item type

Themes

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

Material