Overseas AMW History
The Australian Munitions Worker scheme started seeking volunteers in the middle of August 1916.
Men enlisted under a joint Australian Commonwealth – Imperial Government scheme for providing skilled Australian workers to British war industries during the First World war. Under this scheme the volunteers would receive free passage to Great Britain , an allowance for travel time , a special allowance for the duration of service , and eventual repatriation to Australia .
Initially only skilled workers were sought , however at the request of the British Government later groups included large numbers of navvies for general labouring. (see next post)
Badge
Obverse : Australian coat of arms set on a ribbon with the legend 'MUNITIONS WORKER' and curved below , the word 'AUSTRALIA'. (photo 1)
Reverse : ISSUED/ BY/ DEPARTMENT/ OF / DEFENCE / STOKES & SONS MELBORNE and stamped with a badge/worker number. Badge had 2 lugs (N/S). (photo 2)
The design of the badge was the same for all groups but different finishes were used to indicate which group the volunteer belong to.
Gold (gilt) : CHEMISTS – Records show that approximately 300 Australian chemists were employed under the scheme and that (for some) they had to 'apply' for the badge once in the Great Britain.
Quote:
”Lieut. Colonel Barraclough has been asked to arrange the issue of these badges to Australian chemists serving in the UK.”
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Quote:
“These may be issued to Chemists and Draughtsmen sent from Australia on similar conditions of issue to munitions workers.”
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Note – As yet I have not found any documents relating to Draughtsmen.
Silver (plated) : MANAGERS and qualified factory supervisors.
Bronze : Basic workers.
The badges were issued on 'enrolment' and the badge/worker number was recorded in the volunteer's file. (photo 3 shows an example).
Note – Chemist/Draughtsmen had their worker number recorded at this time and this number was on the badges they were (later) issued. I can find no record when Manager/Supervisor badges were issued.
References :
NAA (National Archives of Australia)
“World War 1 Australian Munitions Worker Badges – List of Recipients” by Lieutenant-Colonel Neil Smith.
“Australians Awarded” by Clive Johnson.
“Australian Munitions Workers” website.
Badge photos courtesy of Rob (Jackhr).