Historical information

The Rising Sun badge, also known as the General Service Badge or the Australian Army Badge, is the official insignia of the Australian Army. The badge is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC, the legend of the Australian soldier, and the esprit de corps of the Army itself, due to its association with the landings at Gallipoli in 1915.

Significance

The Rising Sun badge carried a scroll inscribed with the words ‘Australian Commonwealth Military Forces’ and was worn throughout both World Wars. There were, however, a number of variations of the badge; a special version was struck for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 and there were badges of the Commonwealth Horse and the Australian Instructional Corps, each with its respective title on the scrolls. This pattern badge formed the template for all subsequent General Service badges.

Physical description

Australian Rising sun badge, anodised silver on the front and two eyelets on the back.

Inscriptions & markings

Australian Commonwealth Military Forces.