Miniature Rising Sun badge and boomerang stick pin on blue backing

During both World Wars, patriotic military sweetheart items were widely purchased by servicemen to give to their mothers, sisters, wives or girlfriends to wear at home as a token of remembrance and pride.
The phrasing Lest We Forget' paired with the Rising Sun badge was widely used on home-front commemorative souvenirs and sweetheart jewellery beginning with the first ANZAC commemorations in 1916.

The Rising Sun badge is of the third pattern which was the emblem for the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces from 1904-1949.
Although such items may have been produced during World War Two, it is more likely that is is from the World War One period. This is due to the pairing of badge and boomerang, but also that the Australian government placed a strict ban on manufacturing commercial jewellery in 1942 to redirect metals and materials toward the necessary war effort. However, it is not possible to be absolutely certain when it was produced.

The boomerang was an incredibly popular patriotic motif in Australia during the World Wars, serving as a visual metaphor representing a safe journey and a promise that the soldier would 'return' home.

This is one of several miniature Rising Sun badges in the form of stick pins and brooches held in the collection.