'Wattle Day 1918' metal and enamel fundraising brooch

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Stokes & Sons

1918

Overview

Metal and enamel fundraising brooch sold to support 'Wattle Day 1918'.
It has a horizontal oval shape with a voided centre and an outer white enamel surround bordered with gold. The words 'Wattle Day' are embedded in gold letters on the upper side and 'For our own' on the lower side.
The central area is made from gold metal and depicts sprays of wattle leaves and blossoms tied at the base with a bow.
The reverse of the badge has a brooch fitting with a hinged pin which is inserted into a metal holder on the opposite side for attachment.
The name of the maker, Stokes & Sons, Melb.' appears on the lower edge of the reverse.

Historical information

The Commonwealth Button Fund was established in mid-1915, with the first Button Day being held in November of that year, supporting the people of Belgium. Over the course of the next 6 years, 33 Button Days were held raising money for a variety of patriotic and charitable causes including the Australian, British and French Red Cross, Hospitals, allied countries, current serving men and women, discharged, wounded and disabled servicemen and women, and their families. The buttons were sold in trams, buses, at railways stations and at rallies to raise money for the stated cause.

The 'Wattle Day' button day was held on 27 September 1918 with the proceeds distributed to various children's institutions, hospitals and charities.

The smaller sized button sold for 1 shilling, while the larger size sold for 2/6. This brooch would have sold for a much larger sum and is considered rare.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00824

Item type

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1