11th infantry

[Donny B.]

I would appreciate information or opinions on this item. Does anybody recognise it as part of, perhaps, an association badge or something for the 11th Battalion AIF. It measures about an inch long and with the little loops it obviously has suspended from something and has had something suspended from it. It is a nice little enamel badge. There is no maker's name but the number 13 has been stamped in to the back.

American?

Donny B.

[Donny B.]

I'm having a bit of a rationalisation of the collection. I thought I would just give this item a bump for in case there were any opinions regarding it before putting it into the recycling box.

I Man

[slick_mick]

Looks like some sort of bar.

Could it be some sort of unofficial bar to be worn on a mother's/female relative's badge?

Mick

[Coast Watcher]

These bars are usually found on the League of Loyal Women Of Australia Badge which was a Catholic Women's organisation in WW1. They are sometimes found on other badges like Mick said.
I don't keep a record but just about every WW1 unit has been seen including a NAVY bar. A nice project for someone .
Ed

[Coast Watcher]

from the South Australian Children's Patriotic Fund 1915-17 report in my collection.

It was a badge in which the women could elect to show their husbands or sons units similar to a sweetheart brooch.

Ed

[Coast Watcher]

Here is one from my collection with an enamelled 27th Bn AIF colour patch attached.

I have a League of loyal Women Badge with two bars attached but cant find it

Ed

[Donny B.]

Thanks a lot, Mick and Ed.

You were pretty well spot on Ed. When having an idea of what to look for, I found the following article in the (Adelaide, S.A.) Register of 6 Oct, 1916

"REGIMENTAL BADGES FOR WOMEN
The League of Loyal Women will shortly issue badges to those women whose husbands, sons, brothers and fathers have responded to the call of their country and joined the Australian Imperial Force. It was felt that in these times there should be some way in which women who have made sacrifices should be honoured. It is not intended to encourage any spirit of self-glorification, but simply to show that they have served their country in that particular way, and, above all, to foster a fitting pride in the services rendered by the regiments in which their men have served, or are serving. Some women will thus be entitled to wear a number of badges. which will be linked together after the manner of military clasps issued to soldiers. The tokens are neat in appearance, and of royal blue enamel, with the name of the regiment in brass lettering. Each will be numbered, and if lost cannot be replaced. Each application for a badge will be most carefully verified, so that the honour of wearing them will be strictly limited to women entitled to do so. Forms of application and full particulars are available at the office of the League of Loyal Women, 40 North Terrace, Adelaide"

All good stuff, eh!

I guess that is what it is. I expect that it will now be rescued from the recycling box so that it can take a place with my little bit of 11th stuff. I shall have to keep my eyes open for one of those little metal colour patches.....brown over light blue, of course

Interestingly, when I did my google search for the League of Loyal Women I seemed to keep coming back to South Australian references. I guess the League must have been particularly strong there, or something.

Thanks, you blokes.

Donny B.