ProvenanceBadge produced to raise funds for the war effort near the end of World War I.
Fundraising badges, such as this one, were sold to show and encourage patriotic support for the war effort.
Paul Marie César Pau was a French General in the Franco-Prussian War. In 1914, Joffre called Pau out of retirement to command the ‘Army of Alsace’. In 1916 this army was broken up and sent to help in the Battle of the Marne. Pau then retired from service and became a representative of France, travelling to different Allied nations. In September 1918 he toured Australia with the French Mission.SignificanceIllustrative of the badges that were popular as a means of raising funds or showing support for particular organisations or causes during World War I. This and other associated badges are a rich source of evidence on the material and cultural history of Australia, particularly during wartime. The symbols, colours and mottoes used on the badges themselves also express ideas about the values and identity that Australians held in the early to mid-twentieth century.DescriptionCircular badge: printed paper between tin base and celluloid cover. Gold rim, centre depicts coloured picture of General Pau, marked 'President French Red Cross 1918' 'General Pau'.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1918Date of Usage1918MaterialTin
|paper
|celluloid Accession NumberHT 1986.0019
