The International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in 1862. Initially its purpose was to try and find ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services so as to alleviate the suffering of those wounded in armed conflict. Over time it has extended its work to include many forms of humanitarian aid in times of peace and war. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It is especially remembered in the provision of “comforts” for soldiers overseas. Enormous sums of money were raised, and thousands of women volunteers contributed their time by making vast quantities of clothing: socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas and a variety of linen. Items were sent to headquarters located in the state capitals, often using government houses as depots, where, after being sorted and packed by yet more volunteers, they were sent to Britain or the front. The effect of this work for the recipients was to bring comfort in its truest sense, for a seemingly trivial gift of a bar of chocolate of a pair of dry socks could bring the most profound relief for a soldier on the Western Front. From the date of its inception until the armistice the ARCS dispatched 395,695 food parcels and 36,339 clothing parcels Between 1914 and 1918 more than £3,500,00 was collected and spent on Red Cross services to the Australian Forces and Empire Forces. During WW1 and WW2 Red Cross raised funds selling buttons.Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire held fundraising events for the support of Red Cross Victoria and made cakes and knitted socks, gloves and scarves for distribution to serving men and women Metal buttons with printing on themRed Crossred cross, fund raising buttons, wwi, wwii, french red cross, british red cross, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, caulfield repatriation hospital

These badges were produced for the Commonwealth Button Fund to raise funds for the victims of the Armenian massacre in the Ottoman Empire during World War One. The button was designed by Frances Woolcot the Honorary Organiser of the Melbourne Branch of the Commonwealth Button Fund. The buttons were sold late in February 1918 and raised 7,300 pounds for the victims.February These badges are of interest as an example of the Australian fund raising efforts during World War One for a specific group of people - in this case the victims of the Armenian massacres..1 Concave metal badge featuring sky, a minaret, two onion shaped domes, buildings, sand, three mounted camels and palm trees. There is a clip pin on the reverse. .2 As for .1 but discoloured and there is no slot into which the pin may be inserted. SERVIA SYRIA ARMENIA

This Australian Comforts Fund badge is part of a set of eleven badges collected from the 1920s to the 1940s by Dr W. R. Angus. The badge was sold by the ACF in 1940 to raise funds for gifts to send to the Australian troops serving overseas. The badge is one of a set of badges that represents various organisations that he had interests in. The Australian Comforts Fund was a mostly female, volunteer-run organisation officially recognised by the Government. It began in 1916 as an amalgamation of groups of people who wanted to support the Australian troops abroad with Items of comfort to supplement the essential items provided by the Australian Military Forces. The ACF raised funds to purchase goods, pack them and send them overseas. One of their fund-raising activities was 'button days' where buttons such as this one were given to those who gave donations. The ACF closed down after World War I but was re-formed at the start of World War II. Items that the ACF sent to the troops included personal toiletry items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, magazines, pyjamas, singlets and socks. They also provided sporting equipment, recreational music, writing materials and postcards. Special hampers were sent to the troops at Christmas time. The maker, P J King, (Percy John King), originally established his engraving and ie casting business in Russell Street, Melbourne in 1893 in partnership with Charles Walder Bridgland, continuing on his own from 1899. Percy and his son John Howard King set up a new business P J King Pty Ltd in 1928 making uniform buttons. In the late 1980s, it merged with two other companies that then became J J Cash, now known as Cash's Australia. The set of badges was donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by the family of Doctor Angus, Surgeon and Oculist. It is part of the “W.R. Angus Collection” which includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) and Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. The W.R. Angus Collection: - The W.R. Angus Collection includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) and Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. It includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. During World War II He served as a Military Doctor in the Australian Defence Force. Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the part-time Port Medical Officer responsibility and was the last person appointed to that position. Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the planning stages of the new Flagstaff Hill and the layout of the gardens there. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.This badge represents the efforts of the women volunteers in Australia to support the Australian troops overseas in WWI and WWII. This badge is one of a set of significant badges that connects Doctor Angus with Australian organisations of the early-to-mid 20th century, including those relating to military service support. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The Collection includes historical medical objects that date back to the late 1800s.The ACF Badge is a star-shaped, gold, glittered red enamel and metal badge. The star has six points. The enamel surface is textured. The border and front inscription of the badge is gold. It is the badge of the Australian Comfort Fund, made by P.J. King and dated 1940. This badge is part of a set of badges collected by Dr W R Angus. the set represents organisations that he was involved in, and is part of the W.R. Angus Collection.Front: “ACF / 1940” Reverse embossed “P.J. KING”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, metal badges, enamel badges, organisation badges, acf, presbyterian brotherhood, oikumene, w.r. angus, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, australian comforts fund, button day, volunteer, australian military forces, christmas hamper, 1940 acf badge, fund-raising, p j king pty ltd, percy john king, donor's badge, world war ii, 1939-1945, australians at war, voluntary work, volunteers, home front, w.r. angus collection

Golden Square Methodist Augustinian Fair Minute book (40a) covering 1926-34. Confirmation of minutes of previous covering 1926-34. Lovely cursive handwriting in ink and nib along with some pages typed as well as some newspaper cuttings, covering items from confirmation of previous meetings, financial reports relating to general operations of the committee; competitions as well as bill payments, presentations of cheques, ticket sales, sweets & pastry, collections of buttons, decisions about who to invite to certain events, to upcoming concerts and fund raising events with descriptions of stall holders and their wares as well as revues of similar events having recently occurred, to refurbishments, lighting issues, tea rooms, office elections and apologies for non-attendance .fra mar

War and family memorabilia collated by Betty Thornton, daughter of local Thomas Thornton. WW1 & Family Memorabilia - Thomas Thornton contains: ~ 2 x leather-bound photo albums containing b&w photos of family members, some labelled with hand-written notes ~ Sample of small stones containing copper ~ Several sized detachable buttons used on WW1 service uniforms (cuffs, collars, shirts) ~ Small purple-coloured cardboard box containing a number of service medals, fund-raising badges, royal family medallions ~ B&W photos of Thomas Thornton and comrades in uniform ~ Small leather-bound book containing information about servicemen known to Thomas Thornton (My Roll of Honour) ~Small white cardboard box containing plaster Welcome Home plaque in the shape of Australia. Lid has floral decoration, Auld Land Syne and Thomas Thornton written in the corner ~ Photocopies of Thomas Thornton's war records (AWM) ~ Homemade cardboard frame covered in clear plastic, containing some WW1 items of Thomas Thornton see photosthornton, ww1, copper, badges, medals, buttons

Fund raising badge now on PL182badge/buttons, ww1, general

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.A button designed to raise funds in Deepdene and Balwyn for the Alfred Hospital Appeal of 1921. The central image on the button is of cricket bats, ball and a wicket, all designed in red. The Argus was to report that ‘Yesterday on behalf of the Deepdene and Balwyn committee who organised the event, Constable F. Kloster and Mrs. F Quin handed in a cheque for £150/3/9, representing the proceeds of a fete at Deepdene on behalf of the appeal fund’.deepdene, alfred hospital, fundraising buttons, badges

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.Metal badge with a printed illustration of a Red Cross flag and printed text on a red ink background surrounded by a white border. The Commonwealth Button Fund issued buttons of this design for a Victorian Red Cross appeal in July 1915. All funds raised during the appeal were to be used for the support of the Australian Red Cross and the servicemen in their care. Between 300,000-400,000 of these buttons were distributed."For Kith and Kin"patriotic buttons, badges, first world war 1914-1918

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.Fundraising badge sold by the Commonwealth Button Fund to raise funds for the victims of the Armenian massacres in the Ottoman Empire during the war."Servia Syria Armenia"patriotic buttons, first world war (1914-18), badges

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.A pressed metal fundraising button released in 1919 to support the Royal Women’s and Queen Victoria Hospitals. In June 1919, The Argus reported that a ‘A well attended public meeting was held at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon to complete arrangements for the Button Day on June 27 in aid of the Women’s and the Queen Victoria Hospital. The Button Fund committee desires it to be known that several busy city sections are still vacant and that further offers of help in the sale of buttons will be welcomed’. It would appear that different buttons were released on the same day to support different hospitals in various urban and rural locations in Victoria."Women’s Day / Women’s Hospital 27th June 1919 [&] Queen Victoria Hospital"patriotic buttons, first world war (1914-18), royal womens hospital, queen victoria hospital, button fund

Hyams, Frederick. Pte 17982 4th F.TroopWorld War I Red Cross fund-raising badge. According to contemporary newspaper articles the Commonwealth Button Fund issued buttons of this design for a Victorian Red Cross appeal in July 1915. All funds raised during the appeal were to be used for the support of the Australian Red Cross and the servicmen in their care. Between 300,000-400,000 of the buttons were distributed. Pezikian & Anderson (2017: 14) identify the badge's maker as the Victorian Christian Endeavour UnionCircular pressed metal badge with a plastic coated obverse, metal back and attached pin. In the centre of the obverse, a printed illustration of a Red Cross flag and printed text appears on a red ink background surrounded by a white border. The badge is discoloured. The metal back of the badge is soiled and tarnished.

Fundraising badge sold by the Commonwealth Button Fund to raise funds for the victims of the Armenian massacres in the Ottoman Empire during the war. The button was designed by Frances Woolcot, the Honourary Organiser of the Melbourne Branch of the Commonwealth Button Fund. The design was approved in November 1917 and the buttons were sold on 30 February 1918 - £7,300 was raised on the day. Part of the button collection of Frederick HyamsRound metal badge in orange, blue, black and white. Desert scene with city, three palm trees and camels with riders silhouetted. Words printed under scene. Pin at back fits into slotServia Syria Armenia

Badge probably sold as a fund raiser for the war effort during World War I.Badge, circular. Pin back, celluloid cover. White badge printed with a Union Jack in red, white and blue.MADE IN AUSTRALIA / ALFRED E.S. STOKES / Manufacturer of / Photographic reproduction, / colored Patriotic, Carnival, / & Campaign Buttons, Etc / 228 PITT STREET / SYDNEYworld war i

Pressed tin buttons were produced in large numbers between 1900 and the Second World War and being ephemeral have rarely survived. This button was produced for fundraising for local charities at Ballarat on Button Day in October 1925.Historically and socially significant artefact, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Button days were a popular way of fundraising and commemoration that developed through Wattle Days and the First World War retaining their popularity into the early 1950s. Small tin badge with stylised rising sun motif in red with forget-me-nots in blue beneath a banner and on beneath the nosegay the words forget not. in blue. ballarat, charities, fund raising, button day, 1925, badges