Historical information

During World War I, Red Cross appeal badges (often called "tinnies" or button badges) were sold on streets, trams, and at rallies to raise money for wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, and hospital work. Citizens bought these small, cheap pin-back badges to show they had donated money to patriotic funds.

Physical description

There are three WW1 badges: two Red Cross badges : one oval shaped has Red Cross Appeal Sept.1918 lettering in black showing a nurse with a dog wearing a Red Cross blanket. The smaller badge has the lettering on a banner - Australian Red Cross Appeal 1918 and a white flag with a red cross. One larger white round badge has a green laurel wreath edge and Army Nurses Day 1919 printed on it inside a shield shape.

Inscriptions & markings

One oval shaped badge has 'Red Cross Appeal Sept.1918' 'Australian Red Cross Appeal 1918' 'Army Nurses Day 1919'