These badges were produced about 1918 or 1919 to gain finds to assist Australian soldiers discharged from the armed forces after serving in World War One. One source suggests that the badges were sold only in South Australia and raised £500,000 but, as these badges are part of the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in Victoria it is likely that they were sold throughout Australia. The sale of badges such as these was a common way of raising funds for charitable causes, especially during World War One and also during the first half of the 20th century. These badges are retained as examples of the type of badges sold during World War One. They will be useful for display purposes. .1 A circular-shaped metal badge with a gold outer edging and a brown background with a laurel wreath, a star and brown printing within a cream-coloured heart. The badge has a clip at the back. .2 as above Discharged Soldiers’ Fund For Our Returned Soldiers Copyright world war one, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, australian soldiers, south australia

Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Patriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.Small circular pressed tinplate badge featuring a gold-bordered art nouveau style heart within a green wreath, surmounted by a yellow seven-pointed star, all on a brown background. The words ‘Discharged Soldiers’ Fund For Our Returned Soldiers’ feature within the heart, on a buff background. A gold and white border encloses the whole design.first world war (1914-18), patriotic buttons, badges

Small round badge with central heart shape, colours are red, green, yellow & gold.In centre: “DISCHARGED SOLDIERS FUND FOR OUR RETURNED SOLDIERS”badge, soldiers fund raising, discharged soldiers

Allotments available to Discharged Soldiers Discharged Soldier's Settlement Act Historic Large map, folded in 4, coloured map of Merbein indicating allotments available and locality plan. Scale 10 chain to 1 inchPhoto-Lithographed at Department of lands Survey, Melbourne J. Butson 23.11.20discharged soldiers, ww1, soldier settlement, irrigation

Document. Burnewang Park Estate. Applications re closer Settlement board from Discharged Soldiers holding Qualification certificates to take up land for Farm Allotments.

Discharge papers for soldiers of WW1.272 Private Lisle John Pulbrook of Murtoa in Victoria, served 1774 days, 1440 abroad. age 24and 10/12 years, height 5'4", complexion Dark, eyes Grey, Hair Brown. Trade on enlistment..Painter

Part of WILLIAM HOLMES Collection. Refer Cat No 2548.2P for his service details. .1) Junior Cadet Record for WILLIAM HOLMES, folded, dated 11.8.1911. .2) Discharged Soldiers Qualification Certificate approving WILLIAM HOLMES for mixed farming dated 9.5.1919. .3) Volunteer Defence Corps certificate detailing WILLIAM HOLMES' service dated 10.12.1942.documents - army records, documents - certificates

John Murphy VX15580 in 2/7 Australian Infantry Battalion, 5th March 1940 and was discharged on 3rd October 1945 at Royal Park. Refer Cat 512.2 for Service Details.Certificate of Discharge No. 193910, Parchment Paper, light yellow colour with black print. Coat of Arms at top with form giving details of Name, No, Unit, Length o Service, Enlistment Date, Discharge Date, Description of Soldier, Location of Discharge & Signature of both Discharging Officer and Soldier Discharged.Some unrelated numbers written on back and front in pencil.discharge certificate, ww2

Government poster advertising land sales to promote closer settlement in Portland area. The acquisition of land for the purpose of closer settlement was first authorised under the provisions of the Land Act 1898. In 1917 under the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, the scheme reverted to the Soldiers' Settlement scheme when the government undertook the settlement of discharged soldiers on lands set aside exclusively for them as a reward for their war service.closer settlement, soldiers settlement, government poster. land sales, portland.

These medals were issued to Returned Discharged Soldiers. The Medals were first issued in 1916, to approximately 267,300 personnel. There were medal makers for each state this medal was produced by Stokes & Son, Melbourne, thus made and issued in Victoria. As the medals were issued a record of issue to recipient was kept - however it was not follow the logic that the No 1 badge went to the first person discharged.This Badge was issued to a Returned Soldier of the AIF.A bronze colour round badge.A crown, a rising sun with AIF printed underneath, printed around the edge of the badge - Issued by Dept of Defence, Returned from Active Service.badge, aif, discharged returned soldier badge

Page 74 to Page 101 - Introduction from Page 74 - "Soldier Settlers; Listed below are the WW1 returned servicemen/ (Soldier Settlers) who took up land at Stanhope/ North, later named Girgarre. Most leases were under/ the conditions set down by the Discharged Soldier/ Settlement Acts, which were more generous than those/ of the Closer Settlement Acts."Hardcover book. Cover - cardboard, with white coloured print of front, spine and back on a background colour photograph "Aerial view of Girgarre on Market Day, September 2013". 251 pages, cut, plain, white, coloured paper. Illustrated, black and white photographs - portraits, weddings, farm activities, family occasions etc.publications, books, local history, ww1 soldier settlement, girgarre

1. Australian flags - ' Allies For Freedom and Life' 2. Red/white/blue rings; shield - 'Anzac - Remembrance Day' 3. Soldier carrying rifle 'Lest We Forget'. 4. Silhouette of bugler - 'Anzac Bay'. 5. 'Discharged soldiers fund - For Our Returned Soldiers. 6. French Flag - 'French Red Cross. 7. Union Jack British Red Cross. 8. 'Anzac APC-25 1919. 9. White ensign 'Our Sailors Day' 4969. 10. 'I Will Help Until The War Is Won'numismatics, badges

Dischage Certificate of VX19808 PTE William James Curtis.Framed Certificate of Discharge for VX19808 PTE William James Curtis. On the rear of the frame Description of the Soldier on Discharge Certiificate.Certificate No 64995

Certificate of Discharge No. 399379 for Gunner Roy Hilton Taylor NX94268 from 2/1 Aust Field Regiment. Date of Effect 17th Jan 1946. Date of joining AIF 2/4/1942. Certificate issued to Service Personnel to prove that discharge is legitimate.Yellow paper folded into 4. Certificate of Discharge contains identification of Soldier, length of Service and details of discharge. Conditions of Discharge itemised on the back.headed with Aust Govt Forces and Certificate includes details of Discharge.discharge certificate, 2/1 aust field regiment, ww2

These badges (often called "Discharged Returned Soldier Badges") were issued by the Department of Defence between 1914 and 1919, to indicate a soldier had returned from active service and been honourably discharged. Wearing the badge helped returned soldiers avoid being wrongfully accused of showing disloyalty to their country because they were not seen wearing a military uniform. A specific number was stamped on the reverse of each badge and logged on the veteran's official service record. WW1 shows degree of animsity from some civiliand, and efforts of goverments to prevent it.A crowned gilt bronze badge with two lugs on back. The obverse has the rising sun behind a crown; below on ribbon, AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES; below, A.I.F; around, ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE . RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE. The reverse has been stamped, 76689. military history, civilian life, identification

Norman McKenzie Rolls. The document relates to the cancellation of allotments from him to his Mother Mrs Agnes Rolls of Golden Square Bendigo.Document off white colour rectangular shape form Z.C.2, all print in black, typed in blue, initialled in red, purple stampin top RH corner, termination advice no “D27869”. Form relates to Military allotments for discharged, deceased or missing Soldier.Main points re Soldier, “No 3938 Pte Rolls, N.M 5th BTN”allotments, documents, payments

Most badges would have been collected during WWIBoxed collection of badges, varying in size from diam 2.2cm to diam 3.2cm. Total 31 badges. Each has a picture on the front and a plain metal back slightly rusting, with a sharp metal pin fastener. ANZAC DAY (2); Hospital Day; British/Red Cross; King George's Day (Copyright); Allies for Freedom and Life; Australian Red/Cross Appeal/1918; I will help until the war is won (2); Hospital/Day/1918; Our fighting men/Australian Comforts Fund; Same 3.2cm diam; Wattle Day (3); Hospital Day/for charity; Discharged Soldiers' Fund/For our Returned Soldiers; French Red Cross; For/Our Own (2); Red Triangle/King/God/Country; Our/Day/Nation/& Honour; Servia/Syria/Armenia; Our Sailors' Day (2); Italian/Red Cross; For Our Fighting Men; ANZAC/Remembrance Day; Our/Day/Nation/& Honor; Three enamel badges:; 1. Red Cross/'Australian Red Cross Society'. Red Cross on white surrounded by annular blue enamel. Crown on top. Diam 1.7cm.; 2. 'Fathers'. Centre of badge brass on red enamel background. Reg No 20169 over 494. Diam 2.6cm.; 3. ARP 'Victoria/ARP/AG121/WARDEN. Crown on top. On rear: 'Issued by State Emergency Council'. H 3.0cm x W 2.6cm.Refer photograph.

The Friendly Societies Carnival at Mentone 1916 during WW1 was arranged to showcase the local activities and raise funds for the 'Discharged Wounded Soldiers Fund' = £140 was raised. As elsewhere in Australia most of the local young men had enlisted in the AIF and some were coming home wounded - many were killed on overseas battlefields. This Parade was led by the Cheltenham Brass Band with the following Friendly Societies AOF, IOR, HACBS, PAFS, and ANA. The PAFS - Protestant Alliance Friendly Society - had 2 entries 'Fruit & Vegetable Display' and 'The Murder of Nurse Edith Cavell' both floats won their category. The Carnival gave prizes for sports events on the Mentone Oval and a concert was held at night at the Mentone Ice Skating Rink.World War 1 1914-1918 had a devastating impact on many early settler families whose sons had volunteered to serve in AIF. 1916 many of these young men were returning injured or had been killed overseas The Community rallied around to support these men and their families by holding fund raising events like the CarnivalBlack & White photograph of a horse drawn wagon displaying Fruit and Vegetables for a procession c 1916Handwritten ; Decorated wagon possibly part of a procession of market gardeners cartsfriendly societies cheltenham 1916, nurse edith cavell, cheltenham brass band 1916, ww1 1914-1918, wounded soldiers fund, allnutt ella, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, mckinnon, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

Certificate for "George William Anderson". Information suggests never served overseas. Was part of the 1st Depot Battalion, Broadmeadows. Part of collection of William (Bill) Thomason, Ref No. 4136P.Yellow/Pink cardboard certificate of discharge. One side has physical description including scars and birthmarks with his intended address and signatory. Main side has name of soldier being discharged. Some descriptions of origin and his current regiment. Itemises length of service and signed by Commanding Officer of Regiment and dated 24 Dec 1918.Noted at bottom "Paid in full on discharge". Stamp at top saying "Issued with badge and other details" and dated 12 May 1919.collection of william (bill) thomason, certificate of discharge, george william anderson, ww1

Each soldier had one of these forms filled out on Discharge from the army. WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force Certificate of Discharge No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force Certificate of Discharge of Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1,59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017.Form is filled out for soldier Christopher Clarkww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell

The British Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-Service community as a merger of four organisations: the Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers and the Officers' Association. It was granted a Royal Charter on 29 May 1971 to mark its fiftieth anniversary which gives the Legion the privilege of the prefix 'Royal'.[1] Earl Haig, commander of the Battle of the Somme and Passchendaele was one of the founders of the Legion, and was President until his death.Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cmRoyal British Legion

These Badges were awarded to personnel who were injured, sick, or disabled and were subsequently invalided discharged or to older soldiers who retired during the course of the war - First. The Silver War Badge was worn on a lapel of civilian clothes to show that the recipient had served. The wearer of the badge was required to carry and produce his/her stamped discharge certificate. The Silver War Badge is an original, according to the number on the back of the Medal A90684 it has been issued to an Australian ex Serviceman/WomanA round stirling silver BadgeFront - For King and Empire, Services Rendered - crown -GRI Back - A90684silver war badge, ww1 issue

The Friendly Societies Carnival at Mentone on Easter Monday, 1916 during WW1 was arranged to showcase the local activities and raise funds for the 'Discharged Wounded Soldiers Fund' = £140 was raised. As elsewhere in Australia most of the local young men had enlisted in the AIF and some were coming home wounded - many were killed on overseas battlefields. This Parade was led by the Cheltenham Brass Band, followed by the Friendly Societies AOF, IOR, HACBS, PAFS, and ANA. The PAFS - Protestant Alliance Friendly Society - had 2 entries 'Fruit & Vegetable Display' and 'The Murder of Nurse Edith Cavell' both floats won their category. Ella Allnutt portrayed Nurse Cavell. The Carnival gave prizes for sports events on the Mentone Oval and a concert was held at night at the Mentone Ice Skating Rink. "The Cheltenham P.A.F.S. had, as their tableaux, the murder of Nurse Cavell, in which Miss E. Allnutt took the roll of the nurse and other participants were Miss V. Rose and Messrs. A. Clark, F. Robinson, E. Hutchins, S. Butler and A. Biehl." 1916 'MOORABBIN'S PATRIOTIC CARNIVAL.', Brighton Southern Cross, 29 April, p. 2. World War 1 1914-1918 had a devastating impact on many early settler families whose sons had volunteered to serve in AIF. 1916 many of these young men were returning injured or had been killed overseas The Community rallied around to support these men and their families by holding fund raising events like the CarnivalBlack & White photograph of a decorated float with a Tableau ' The Murder of Nurse Edith Cavell' in the Friendly Societies Carnival Cheltenham 1916Front Handwritten ; Procession ( part of ) to honour Sister Edith Cavell an English nurse executed by the Germans in Brussels (BELG.) in 1914 (1st World War)cheltenham brass band 1916, ww1 1914-1918, cavell edith, friendly societies, protestant alliance friendly society, moorabbin, cheltenham, dendy henry, dendy's special survey 1841, assisted emigrants early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, marigold flowers, pharmacy, charman stephen, gettens mary, charman harriet, methodist church, primitive methodists, box william, box elizabeth, state schools, education, moorabbin shire, moorabbin roads board, city of moorabbin, kingston city council, cheltenham brass band 1916, ww1 1914-1918, cavell edith, friendly societies, protestant alliance friendly society, moorabbin, cheltenham, dendy henry, dendy's special survey 1841, assisted emigrants early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, marigold flowers, pharmacy, charman stephen, gettens mary, charman harriet, methodist church, primitive methodists, box william, box elizabeth, state schools, education, moorabbin shire, moorabbin roads board, city of moorabbin, kingston city council

John Henry Lockett OAM (22 January 1891 – 25 May 2002) was the oldest man ever in Australia when he died aged 111 years, 123 days. As one of the last surviving veterans of World War I, he was acclaimed as a national hero during the last decade of his life. Lockett was born in the small Victorian town of Waanyarra, near Bendigo. He left school aged nine to work on a local farm. Later, he worked for his uncles in the Mallee. On 24 March 1916, he travelled to Mildura to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. He served in France with the 38th Battalion, earning promotion to sergeant and was discharged on 20 September 1919. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Lockett The 38th Battalion was formed on 1 March 1916 at a camp established on the Epsom Racecourse at Bendigo in Victoria. After training in both Australia and Britain, the 38th Battalion crossed to France in late November 1916 and moved into the trenches of the Western Front for the first time on 1 December.The 38th fought in its first major battle at Messines, in Belgium, between 7-9 June 1917. It fought in another two major attacks in this sector - the battle of Broodseinde on 4 October, and the battle of Passchendaele on 12 October. Belgium remained the focus of the 38th Battalion's activities for the next five months, until it was rushed south to France in late March 1918 to meet the German Army's Spring Offensive. The 38th participated in its last major action of the war between 29 September and 2 October 1918 as part of the Australian-American operation that breached the formidable defences of the Hindenburg Line along the St Quentin Canal. It was disbanded in April 1919. Source, Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51478 After the war, Jack returned to The Mallee and selected a 640 acres (260 ha) block of land in Linga, Victoria, deciding to make his living as a farmer. In 1923, he married Maybell Ingwerson and they had four children together. In 1963, the couple retired to Bendigo, leaving the farmland (which now covered more than 130,000 acres (53,000 ha), in the care of their children and grandchildren. An off-white coulored document with black print and black handwriting headed AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Certificate of Discharge No 1194 Sergeant John Henry Lockett 38th Battalion, born Tarnagulla Victoria Attested at Mildura 1st April 1916for the 38th Battalion at the age of 25 1/2 years Total service 1268 days Service abroad 1143 days Discharge confirmed at Melbourne Victoria 20th September 1919 On the reverse V/B 60883 No 177770 Description of the above named Soldier on discharge Age 28 1/2 years Height 5' 10", complexion Medium, Eyes Blue, Hair Brown, Trade Farmer, Intended place of Residence Ouyen P.O. Victoria Singed J H Lockett jack lockett, mabel ingwersen, 38th australian infantry battalion, w.w.1, mallee farming

George Alfred Yung, known as Alf, pictured in the second row, 10th from the left, enlisted on 25/02/1916; embarked on 19/02/1917; was killed during the battle of Menin Gate at Yrpres, Belgium on 20/09/1917. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51447 The 7th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. Like the 5th, 6th and 8th Battalions, it was recruited from Victoria and, together with these battalions, formed the 2nd Brigade. The battalion was raised by Lieutenant Colonel H. E. "Pompey" Elliott within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. It later took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, as part of the second wave. Ten days after the landing, the 2nd Brigade was transferred from ANZAC to Cape Helles to help in the attack on the village of Krithia. The attack captured little ground but cost the brigade almost a third of its strength. The Victorian battalions returned to ANZAC to help defend the beachhead, and in August the 2nd Brigade fought at the battle of Lone Pine. While holding positions captured by the 1st Brigade, four members of the 7th Battalion, Corporal A. S. Burton, Acting Corporal W. Dunstan, Lieutenant W. Symons and Captain F. H. Tubb, earned the Victoria Cross - Burton posthumously. The battalion served at ANZAC until the evacuation in December. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli in December 1915, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed for France and the Western Front and entered the front line trenches for the first time on 3 May. The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozieres in the Somme valley where it fought between 23-27 July and 15-21 August. After Pozieres the battalion manned trenches in the Ypres salient in Belgium, before returning to the Somme valley. It saw out the horrendous winter of 1916-1917 rotating between training, working parties and duty in the trenches. In early 1917, the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line and the 7th Battalion participated in the brief advance that followed and then came to a grinding halt before Bullecourt. The battalion was withdrawn from the front line for training on 9 May 1917 and did not return to action until the Ypres offensive of September and October. It fought major battles at Menin Road on 20 September and Broodseinde on 4 October, and then spent much of ensuing winter in the Ypres mud. In March and April 1918 the 7th helped stop the German spring offensive in northern France and later participated in the Allies' own great offensive of 1918, that began with the battle of Amiens on 8 August. The advance by British and empire troops on 8 August was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as, "the black day of the German Army in this war". The battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919. In November 1918 members of the AIF began to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. In March, the battalion was so reduced that it and the 6th Battalion were amalgamated to form a composite battalion. In turn, this battalion was merged with another, formed from the 5th and 8th Battalions, to form the 2nd Brigade Battalion. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51447army, soldier, alf yung, 7th australian infantry battalion

Ronald Leslie Gregory (R/22961) served in the Australian Royal Navy. Born 5th August 1921, he enlisted on the 7th March 1939, and served on the HMAS Kuttabul II. He was discharged in 1948. Forms part of a collection of Ronald Leslie's belongings that were donated to the Lara RSL in 2006.RSL membership badge. White background, faded red and blue detailed with rusted metal background. the crown atop the badge has a blue background and says '45' 45 returned sailors, soldiers and airmens imperial australia league B25448 Sydneyworld war two, 1945, rsl, badge

Safety razors had been developed in the mid-19th century, but still used a forged blade that dulled and rusted. In the 1870s, the Kampfe Brothers ( Germany) introduced a type of safety razor. Gillette improved these earlier safety-razor designs, and introduced the high-profit-margin stamped razor blade steel blade. Gillette's innovation was the thin, inexpensive, disposable blade of stamped steel. King Camp Gillette observed in 1902 that as existing, relatively expensive, razor blades dulled quickly and needed continuous sharpening, a razor whose blade could be thrown away when it dulled would meet a real need and likely be profitable. In 1918, when the U.S. entered World War I, the Gillette company provided all American soldiers with a field razor set, paid for by the government, and as they were allowed to take them at discharge they continued their use of this product thus ensuring future sales. An unused, wrapped, man's razor blade in a box. 7 O'clock brand '7 O'CLOCK / REGD. TRADE MARK / BLADES / DOUBLE EDGED shaving equipment. razorblades, safety razors, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, pioneers, early settlers

King Camp Gillette observed in 1902 that as existing, relatively expensive, razor blades dulled quickly and needed continuous sharpening, a razor whose blade could be thrown away when it dulled would meet a real need and likely be profitable. Safety razors had been developed in the mid-19th century, but still used a forged blade that dulled and rusted. In the 1870s, the Kampfe Brothers ( Germany) introduced a type of safety razor Gillette improved these earlier safety-razor designs, and introduced the high-profit-margin stamped razor blade steel blade. Gillette's innovation was the thin, inexpensive, disposable blade of stamped steel. Gillette's safety razor retailed for a substantial $5 half the average working man's weekly pay — yet sold by the millions. The most difficult part of development was engineering the blades, as thin, cheap steel was difficult to work and sharpen. This accounts for the delay between the initial idea and the product's introduction. To sell the product, Gillette founded the American Safety Razor Company on September 28, 1901 (changing the company's name to Gillette Safety Razor Company in July 1902). Gillette obtained a trademark registration (0056921) for his portrait and signature on the packaging. Production began in 1903, when he sold a total of 51 razors and 168 blades. The following year, he sold 90,884 razors and 123,648 blades, thanks in part to Gillette's low prices, automated manufacturing techniques and good advertising. By 1908, the corporation had established manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, England, France and Germany. Razor sales reached 450,000 units and blade sales exceeded 70 million units in 1915. In 1918, when the U.S. entered World War I, the company provided all American soldiers with a field razor set, paid for by the government, and as they were allowed to take them at discharge they continued their use of this product thus ensuring future sales. The company continues in the present day as the Gillette brand of Procter & Gamble, USA. Throughout the 20thC most men used this type of safety razor with disposable stainless steel razor blades to shave their beards prior to the introduction of affordable electric razors in 1960'sA blue packet of unused 'King Gillette' safety razor blades.on top of packet; Press with thumb / and snap end open / GILLETTE QUALITY THE / SAME THE WORLD OVER / FACTORIES IN / USA / CANADA , GREAT BRITAIN / MEXICO , FRANCE / COLUMBIA, GERMANY / BRAZIL, SPAIN / ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA / GILLETTE TRADE MARK / KING C GILLETTE / RED. TRADE MARKS / GILLETTE (AUST.) PTY. LIMITED / MELBOURNE / DE 2023 / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / shaving equipment, safety razors, gillette king, proctor & gamble, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham,