ProvenanceBadge produced to raise funds for the Australian Comforts Fund in World War II.
The Australian Comforts Fund had many local branches. The fund was formed in 1916 to send comforts to the troops in World War I. At the end of the war the fund was dissolved and then revived again in 1939 with outbreak of another war. The fund was run by volunteers to provide free comfort items that were not provided to Australian servicemen. These items included singlets, socks, pyjamas, cigarettes, tobacco, razor blades, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, newspapers and magazines. The ACF also provided recreational facilities, rest rooms, sporting equipment, gramophones and records, pencils, paper and postcards. The ACF relied on fundraising, donations and volunteers. Button days, and the sale of badges in general, were a key aspect of their fundraising appeals.SignificanceIllustrative of the badges that were popular as a means of raising funds or showing support for particular organisations or causes during the twentieth century. 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. White background featuring Air Force flag in blue, white and red. Marked 'Fighting Forces Comforts Fund' 'Air Force' 'FFCF' 'Empire Appeal 1941'.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1941Date of Usage1941MaterialTin
|paper
|celluloid Accession NumberHT 1986.0046
