Historical information

Badges or ‘pips’ such as these ones were worn on the should strap of a British Military Officer during World War I to indicate his or her rank. The badge’s Latin inscription “TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO” is a Latin phrase that translates as “three joined into one”. It is the motto of the Order of Bath and refers to the year 1801 when the two Kingdoms of Great Britain (England and Scotland) were united with the Kingdom of Ireland. The three images of ‘crowns’ serve as the ‘star’ on each badge. The badges are worn with the arches in the three crowns pointing to the top.

The sixteen badges were collected by Dr William Roy Angus and are now part of Flagstaff Hill’s comprehensive W.R. Angus Collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus, 1901-1970, surgeon and oculist. The badges date to the First World War era, when Dr Angus was a youth. He was a Surgeon Captain for the Australian Defence Forces during World War II when he was in his forties.

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 Forces.

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. Both 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.

Significance

Dr W R Angus (1901-1970), surgeon and oculist, collected a range of military objects including those he personally used during his time as Surgeon Captain in the Australian Defence Forces in World War II. The objects allow insight into military life in the early-to-mid 20th century.
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.

Physical description

Badge collection; sixteen WWI British Army Officer’s insignia ‘star’ pips. Brass badges are diamond-shaped. The design has a border of leaves around a wreath around and a Latin inscription that surrounds three crown images.

Inscriptions & markings

“TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO” [translates to 'three joined in one']