Australian Women's Army Service (A.W.A.S.) Association N.S.W. badge

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c. 1952

Overview

Post World War Two, circular metal and enamel badge issued to a member of the Australian Women's Army Service (A.W.A.S.) Association of New South Wales.
The badge has a gold centre featuring a Rising Sun badge with a Queen's crown in the centre, below which there is a void into which the year can be attached. In this case, it is the number 85, representing 1985, and the little attachment is red with gold writing and edges.
There is a broad strip of blue enamel between the central gold area and the thin gold border, upon which the text 'A.W.A.S. Association N.S.W' appears in gold letters.
The reverse is all gold metal and has a gold pin attachment with safety keeper. The words 'Not Transferable' and the number '995' appear on the back.The two bent claws used to attach the year date are visible. There is no maker's mark.

Historical information

According to the Australian War Memorial, "The Australian Women’s Army Service (A.W.A.S.) was formed in August 1941 to release men from some military duties to serve with fighting units. Women worked in traditional roles such as clerks, typists and cooks. They were also employed as drivers, signallers, and provosts in areas such as intelligence, chemical trials, electrical and chemical engineering, and ordnance."
The A.W.A.S. was a non-medical women's service. It was disbanded in June 1947 after the end of World War Two.
Women who had served together in the A.W.A.S formed associations in each state.
This badge was issued to a member of the N.S.W. Association. A new disc was issued each year to show that the person was a financial member. The person to whom this badge was issued did not replace the year disc after 1985.
The Queen's Crown on the front of the badge indicates that it was made after 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II became the reigning British monarch.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00393

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Defence > Army
Leisure
Social History
War and Conflict

Material

Enamels

Metal