Seeking info on broach pin lapel
 

I was recently given a very small box of 'old junk' which included this broach pin badge as well as AWAS and AAMWS oxy shoulder titles. They came from the same source but sadly no other info. Is the badge a sweetheart badge or something else? Looks goldish-bronze with no sign of plating. No makers marks. No sign of tampering. Very fine detail I would say. Oxy collar for comparison.

Cheers,
Oz.

G'day Oz

Id say that both the collar badges are WW 2 period, the oxidised one could also have been worn on the cap front. The gold one with the pin would have been worn by a female, possibly pinned to a tie or worn pinned to the hat band (not puggeri) on a females "slouch Hat". The ladies slouch hat was a flat brimmed hat and was not turned up on the left side and did not have a "Bash". We have examples of the ladies hats in both the Sigs Museum and the Running Rabbits Military Museum where I volunteer. Either badge could have been worn by members of AWAS, being Australian Women's Army Service, or AAMWS, being Australian Army Medical Women's Service both of which are WW 2 formations.

I hope that this helps

Regards

Phil.

Thank you Phil, that is very interesting. I was wondering if there could have been a connection with the Women's services but could not recall if they were all wearing silver rising suns like the nurses. Or was that just WWI? Yes, I recall seeing B&W photographs showing the lapel size on ties and Women's hats although B&W does not really distinguish between silver and bright brass. Nice to know that I can add the broach pin badge to my badge board as an official badge and not a sweetheart one (not that there is anything wrong with sweetheart badges of course). How rare are these nowdays?

Cheers,
Oz.

G'day Oz

We have women's uniforms at both the Sigs Museum and the Running Rabbits Museum that have Oxidised badges on the lapels and on the hat band. they also have the oxidised AWAS and AAMWS shoulder titles attached to the "Battle Dress". At the Running rabbits we have a ladies metal trunk with her complete uniform collection from her hat down to her under ware and she has Oxidised hat & collar badges and AAWMS shoulder titles.

I know that nurses wore Silver collar badge sized Rising Suns in WW 1, I have 2 silver ones that are different and I also have white metal RS's that are WW 2 period.

I hope that this helps.

Regards

Phil.

The R-R museum looks impressive, I just saw the video tour on the website. I will try to drop in when I am over that way. I need to revisit the Signals museum too, several years since I was last there.

Cheers,
Oz.

G'day Oz

The Sigs museum is located within Simpson barracks and gate security is tight, the museum is only open on a Tuesday which is our working day, The 4th/19th LH museum is also on site and is adjacent to thee sigs museum.

When you say get over , where from ? You are welcome to come with me but I'd still have to get you signed in at the gate and we would then need to be escorted, even though I do know the way. Drop me a Pm if you are interested in making the trip. I can get us into the R-R museum any day as I have keys etc. Glad you liked the video tour.

Regards

Phil.

Thank you for the offer although the gate is no problem for me so I just need to get myself organised. I am not far away. Sounds like the 4/19th has relocated too.

Cheers,
Oz.