World War II Female Relative Badge
Manufacturer
Angus & Coote
Date1942
Object number00015189
NameBadge
MediumStainless steel
DimensionsOverall: 36 x 28 mm
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis stainless steel badge features a map of Australia encircled by a wreath and surmounted by a King's Crown. The text 'TO THE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA' appears within the wreath and a bar with a gold star is suspended below the badge. An inscription on the reverse reads 'Issued by the Cwlth Govt A145474 Angus & Coote 1942'.HistoryFemale relative badges were issued to the closest female relative of those on active service overseas during both World War I and World War II. These badges were instantly recognisable at the time, making the wearer identifiable as having a son or other relative away on active service.
During WWI two types of female relative badges were distributed. The first type of badge was issued to the nearest female relative of soldiers, airmen, nurses and masseuses who had seen active service abroad. The second was intended for the nearest female relative of members of the Royal Australian Navy who had served outside of Australian waters during the war. For both types of badges bars could be suspended underneath the main body of the badge to indicate additional male relatives in service.
In WWII however only one type of female relative badge was issued that encompassed all arms of the defence forces. This particular object is an example of an Australian WWII female relative badge and was available to the nearest female relatives of members of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Imperial Force (including nurses) and the Royal Australian Air Force who were on active service abroad. Similar to the WWI badges, stars on a bar suspended beneath the badge indicated the number of relatives on active service.
Barcodes inscribed on the reverse of female relative badges correspond to registers held by the Melbourne branch of the National Archives of Australia and can be used to identify the original owner.SignificanceFemale relative badges such as this were issued to close female family members of servicemen on overseas deployment during the two world wars. Such badges officially recognised the importance of moral support provided by families to servicemen in their duties and provided a link between those serving and those who waited at home.
