Returning Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen

[billy]

Any ideas for whom this badge was for? What would I expect to pay for this also, may have gotten carried away to acquire it!

Many thanks Billy

[mike_vee]

Formed in 1916 the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia changed its name in 1940 to Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia which changed its name in 1966 to Returned Services League of Australia.

The League evolved out of concern for the welfare of returned servicemen from the First World War.

Have seen them going for anything from £8.00 - £50.00

Lots on eBay :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...diers&_sacat=0

[billy]

Thanjs Mike, added Airmen by mistake as well! Cheers billy

[badgecollector]

hi billy
its very common and probably sell for around £10.00 - £20.00
yours is the first pattern, army/navy. it changed later in the war to include airmen.
as far as I'm aware, the numbers are not able to be traced to a recipient.
I got your email and will reply shortly
bc

[kingsley]

The early ones without the airman are scarcer than the later ones which were worn for many years. There is also a much larger sized one with two figures which I understand was the very first pattern. These are worth a lot more.

[Lancer 17]

Hello all,

Firstly the "RSL" as it is universally known, is an association for ex-service personnel, like the British Legion, the badge is not a Returned from Active Service badge, Australia also had one of these that was in die stamped brass with a Kings crown on top.

The RSL was formed in 1916 for men returning from service on Gallipoli. The first badge had the title Returned Sailors & Soldiers Imperial League around a blue circle and the word Australia on a red scroll below, however there is always an exception and Forum Member Jimbo Dixon has one with a blue scroll. This badge has a sailor and a soldier on it, the first issues were 40mm high and 30mm wide.

I have 2 of these, one made by Stokes and Son, Melbourne numbered 35904 and it has something stamped on the back which I cant read and has a plain crown. The second is manufactured by W Bishop and it is numbered B7306 and it is stamped Copyright. This one is a much more golden looking brass and has red enamel in the crown.

Subsequently a second smaller badge was issued, also with 2 men on it, at this time the Australian Flying Corps was part of the Army. The RAAF was not formed until the 1920's. I have 2 of this badge one is 24 and the other 26mm high. These can be found with a plain crown and others have a number on the crown and the colour of the back ground changes, this was to show that you had paid your membership subscription for that year. One of these has 2 lugs and the other has a half moon type fixing to go into the button hole in the lapel on a mans jacket. One is numbered A34668 and the other is numbered V12691.The first has no makers name and the 2nd is marked copyright and has a name that I can not read.

The next badge now has 3 marching men and the title includes Airmens and the red scroll now has Imperial League Australia on it. The one that I have has a year clip for 1948, it is numbered 781518 and is made by Amor, Sydney.