Red Cross Society Australian Branch Queensland Division membership badge
1918World War One era, double sided celluloid Red Cross Society Australian Branch Queensland Division membership badge in the shape of a pentagonal pennant hanging from a metal pin.
It features a blue circular emblem with the text 'RED CROSS SOCIETY' enclosing a central red cross on a cream coloured background. Arched scrolls above and below read 'MEMBERSHIP' and 'BADGE' in cream lettering on a red background The decorative ends of the scrolls and the inside and outside of the central circle are all bordered with gold..
The reverse side features blue printed text which reads 'AUSTRALIAN BRANCH QUEENSLAND DIVISION', followed by the date range of the membership sucbscription: 'May 1st, 1918 to April 30th, 1919' in red.
A small blue underline flourish anchors the bottom point.
The two sides of the badge are stuck together at the point, while there is a gap at the top through which the horizontal wire of the pin is threaded for attachment.
The metal pin is made from a single piece of wire which is bent into an elongated loop resembling a safety pin.
The whole badge is showing signs of age with the celluloid being warped and discoloured and the wire showing signs of rust and oxidation.
The Australian Branch of the Red Cross Society was established in August 1914 at the outbreak of World War One. By the time this membership badge was issued in May 1918, the nation had suffered devastating casualties on the Western Front, causing immense pressure to fund medical services, care parcels, and comfort boxes for troops overseas.
Subscriptions and badge days helped to fund these activities. Wearing a membership badge like this was a public display of patriotism and civic duty, acting as visual proof that a citizen had paid their annual dues to support the war effort.
The Red Cross Society in Queensland at this time expanded into a massive decentralised network, which extended from remote, rural towns from the Gulf of Carpentaria down to the southern borders. The Queensland Division not only supported the war effort, but also helped with more localised events including weather related natural disasters.
Details
Details
On front from top to bottom:
"MEMBERSHIP
RED CROSS SOCIETY
BADGE"
On reverse from top to bottom:
"AUSTRALIAN
BRANCH
QUEENSLAND
DIVISION
May 1ST 1918
to April 30TH 1919"
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