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Busselton Historical Society > Records

Brass Button Polishing Stick - issued to W G Lord

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Smith & Wright

Subcollections

Overview

The brass button polishing stick was a practical tool used by soldiers in both World Wars to maintain the cleanliness of their uniforms while polishing brass buttons. It was typically made of dull, discolored brass and featured a hinge to allow for easy opening and closing. The stick would be placed under the buttons when polishing, ensuring that the buttons gleamed without damaging the uniform fabric.

Historical information

The brass button stick was used for polishing buttons on Military Uniforms. The brass guard tool slides underneath the button attached to the uniform to protect the fabric from being ruined whilst cleaning or polishing the button.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2020.363

Item type

Clothing

Objects

Uniforms

Themes

War and Conflict

Material

Brass

Inscriptions and markings

On front: "Smith & Wright, Button & Ornament Manufacturers & Contractors, Birmingham.
On back: "1376 81"

Contextual information

WILFRED GERALD LORD:

This item belonged to Private W Lord. 137681. RMLI. Royal Navy, 1895.

Private Wilfred Gerald Lord (Service Number 137681) served in the Royal Marine Light Infantry (RMLI)

B: 28 July1876 Yorkshire, UK
D: 5 April 1955 Busselton, WA

Keywords

Buttons

Military Uniform

Royal Navy

Place made

Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Last modified

Wednesday, 17 June, 2026

Completeness

61

Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

Other items from Busselton Historical Society

Brass Button Stick a

Brass Button Polishing Stick (sample of how buttons fit)

/sites/default/files/2026-06/Long-War-Service-Ended_Late-Wilfred-Lord.pdf

Obituary of MR WILFRED GERALD LORD

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