WW1 Demobilised Recruit Enlisted in 1918 badge + documents
 

Hi All,

I thought I'd share this with you. Yesterday I had the privilege to see and photograph some amazing Australian military history (in a private collection).

This WW1 Demobilised Recruit Enlisted in 1918 badge (No. 642) was issued to N.R. Tucker together with original documentation for the badge and also two patches issued at the same time. Also included was his discharge certificate and his reporting to the drill hat document.

I hope you all enjoy this as you just don't see these around - it may possibly also be the only existing complete set.

Mick

Thanks for showing this Mick, what a great thing to have. Are the badges very rare?

Phil.

Yes mate - the badges are rare and the patches even more so!

And I have never seen documents to them. They would be rarer then either badge or patch.

Never seen one before until yesterday.

Mick

That is OUTSTANDING Mick! Well done.
See also my recent posts Cloth KC Rising Sun in the Rising Sun section.

Oz.

Enlisted in AIF 1916?
 

Hi

Just located this post on the Demobilised Recruit Badge 1918. but would be keen to know if any member has ever sighted one that is clearly dated "Enlisted in AIF 1916".

I've previously posted pics of this badge but had no comments to date. Badge is white metal (NOT plated) and has had the "loops" removed and replaced with a pin back. A safety chain has also been added. Badge is numbered "8" but it has no maker's stamp yet is almost exactly the same strike as the 1918 badge (position of lettering, etc.).

Happy to re-post pics if there is interest!

I'm interested, this could be a very rare badge.

I think a picture added to this post would be beneficial, especially side by side with the 1918 version.

Cheers, Tim

Nice bit of history.
Andy

1918/ 1916 Enlisted in AIF badge
 

Hi all

Here are the pics that I posted before some time back. Any thoughts would greatly add to the sum total of knowledge. Although the 1916 badge isn't maker marked, it seems to come from the same die (compare letter placing/ size, coat of arms, etc.)

One point that had escaped me when I originally posted was that the 1916 badge has originally had "loops" on the back but that these have been removed and "pin back" fittings. I can confirm that it is white metal and NOT plated.

I have located some tender documents (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette) for the supply of these badges. Tender is for two lots of 10,000 badges.

Where are all the others?

Great pics!

I didn't even know there was an Enlisted in 1916 badge. I have only ever seen Enlisted in 1918 badges.

Mick

DumDum and I have discussed this off line, but worth repeating here, I think.

One theory is they could have been for servicemen who had joined in 1916, but were yet to be inducted into the army. 1916 was a hot time to be 'out of uniform' and as DD noted, many of the round gov "service" badges were issued around then as well, so that makes sense.
Maybe this particular one was converted to a sweetheart badge, in a similar manor the Liverpool Pals silver badges were, or adapted post war to wear around.

In any event, it appears to me to be spot on, just with the different date. And like Mick, I have never seen another, so I am guessing it's very rare.

Cheers, Tim

It's not even mentioned in Graham Donley's book on WW1 and WW2 badges.

Mick

Hi all

Thanks for the ideas on this wee "mystery" that has kept me thinking for many a night (and day!).

When I bought this badge (probably off eBay) I honestly thought that I was getting the 1918 badge and only realised that it was 1916 much later. Nor has it been "altered" to change the "8" to a "6". The number punch that struck the "6" is the same that was used for the "9"

Interesting that the original tender called for white metal yet the versions that we see are plated brass, unless I'm completely wrong here.

The 1916 badge is definitely white metal, ergo matches the tender document specifications.

I found that I have Donley's excellent publication and can confirm that he only shows the 1918 version.

Where to from here?

Maybe try contacting the Australian War Memorial or National Archives of Australia and see if they have any further information on that badge?

Mick

It'a also not in Clive Johnson's book. Mind you, that doesn't mean it's not good, I would expect if it were a made up badge, more would pop up. Indeed, I expect however many were produced, they would likely be safely in the care if the recipient's families. I will have a look through the Archives online, and see if there is anything there.

Interesting mystery, and part of the fun of collecting, trying to unravel that mystery

Cheers, Tim

I also found a picture of one on Pinterest today but with no information about it. Given its rarity, could perhaps most have been destroyed during the war and never issued? It's also interesting how it has a safety chain attached.

Mick