ProvenanceBadge produced by the Red Cross to raise funds during an Australian Prisoners of War appeal in World War II. The funds raised by this appeal went towards food parcels for Australian prisoners of war overseas.
The Australian Red Cross was formed soon after the outbreak of World War I. They provided comforts to the soldiers through their parcels filled with socks, vests, mittens, pyjamas, food and more, all collected and packed by female volunteers. The Red Cross also raised huge amounts through fundraising and donations in order to provide services to the armed forces. The Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs) were made up of young women who provided nursing and domestic services in hospitals and convalescent homes. The Australian Red Cross also set up international offices to provide families in Australia with news of wounded or imprisoned family members.
During World War II, the services of the Australian Red Cross expanded to include welfare work, hospital visiting, vocational training, home help, library services, lorry and ambulance driving. Another important aspect of their work was the care provided for prisoners of war in the form of food parcels and medical attention.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. Depicts adressed parcel and red cross in blue and red on a white background. Marked 'Australian Prisoners of War Appeal' '6d' in dark blue block letters.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1940-1946Date of Usage1940-1946MaterialTin
|paper
|celluloid Accession NumberHT 1986.0076
