VAD badge variations

[kingsley]

It has always been my understanding that Australia was divided into "Military Districts" about 1911 when compulsory Training was introduced for ages 12 to 25. Qld was 1MD, NSW 2MD, Victoria 3MD etc. And then I have assumed that a re-designation was made in 1948 to 'Northern Command", "Eastern Command" etc but have never been quite sure whether the state lines were the exact borders.

This becomes quite confusing when VAD badges can be found with either or both designations, which makes it hard to date them if pre- or post-1948 does not apply. One badge in the attached scans shows 6th MD and 'Southern Command' as well.

Has anyone ever seen a list of ALL the VAD badge variations? There may well be a lot more besides those shown in the attached scans, for example, a badge with "Eastern Command" and another with Second MD. The style of the Tas badge is different again and there may well be similar red badges from other states.

[mike_vee]

Found this which seems to imply that "Military Districts" were the pre- WWII titles that were changed to "Commands" following the outbreak of World War II.

The 1st Military District (1 MD) encompassed Queensland, the 2nd included most of New South Wales, the 3rd was primarily based on Victoria, the 4th included South Australia, the 5th included Western Australia and the 6th encompassed forces in Tasmania. In 1939 the Northern Territory was designated the 7th Military District, while the 8th Military District was later activated in Port Moresby to command forces in New Guinea.

Following the outbreak of World War II a regional command structure was subsequently adopted, with 2 MD becoming Eastern Command, 5 MD redesignated Western Command, while 1 MD in Queensland became Northern Command and the three southern states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania were amalgamated into Southern Command.

Photo - Australian military districts, October 1939

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austra...g_World_War_II


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[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by kingsley

This becomes quite confusing when VAD badges can be found with either or both designations, which makes it hard to date them if pre- or post-1948 does not apply. One badge in the attached scans shows 6th MD and 'Southern Command' as well.

Badge would have to be post October 1939.

Around the start of the Second World War, the 6th Military District became part of Southern Command, along with the 3rd and 4th Military Districts in Victoria and South Australia. This required legislative changes to the Defence Act (1903), and did not come into effect until October 1939.

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[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by kingsley

for example, a badge with "Eastern Command" and another with Second MD.

An example on WorthPoint :

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...astern-command

EDIT : Just realised you already have Eastern Command badge .

A "1st Military District" one previously sold on eBay :



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[kingsley]

Mike, thanks for the research and the comments. I have never seen a VAD 1st MD and the 2nd MD no doubt exists as well. Something to look out for.
We have some interesting earlier Forum posts on Australian WW1 VAD badges, for which there is even less documentation.

[Home Guard]

Regarding the Australian VAD, this thread might offer some help???

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...t=79668&page=4

Terry