The link you posted Martin appears to show that officer wearing a small title on his shoulder.
Quite sometime ago I noted something interesting as far as the contracts placed with Stokes and Sons Pty Ltd for copper oxidised badges for 3rd Military District (Victoria) go:
Req No 2043, approved 21 October 1914
Badges, copper, oxidised, "Australia", 6840 at 19s per 100
Badges, copper, oxidised, "Australia", 800 at 19s 10p per 100
Req No 2055-59, approved 14 October 1914
Badges, copper, oxidised, "Australia", 7880 at 19s per 100
Badges, copper, oxidised, "Australia", 55200 at 19s 10p per 100
Badges, copper, oxidised, "Australia", 18880 at 30s per 100
Req No 2270-74, approved 18 November 1914
Badges, copper, oxidised, "Australia", 71600 at 16s per 100
Just looking at the requisitions for October 1914 it would appear that THREE different variations of the AUSTRALIA title were produced for the AIF by Stokes. The reduction to 16s in November might just relate to the size of the order rather than a separate title variation.
You would have to wonder why there was a 35% increase in price for the 18880 "Australia" titles produced at 30s under this order - could it be those that have the voided AUSTRALIA mounted on the curved oxidised non-voided backing? Or was it the smaller "Australia" title?
Keith
|