Historical information

Rose gold watch fobs issued as World War I mementos in 1916 belong to a category of historical artifacts known as "Tribute Jewellery" or farewell and welcome home tokens. During the Great War, particularly in Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, local communities stepped up to honor soldiers in deeply personal ways. These fobs were highly symbolic, usually taking the shape of a heraldic shield, Maltese cross, or a crowned star. Common decorative motifs included crossed rifles, Imperial crowns, laurel wreaths of victory, and national iconography (such as the rising sun or a kangaroo for Australian forces).

Physical description

An antique Australian WW1 Commemorative 9c rose gold fob medallion, engraved on the reverse for whom and when it was presented. It features a shield with crossed rifles flanked by a kangaroo and emu resting on a base of wattle or leaves. It is topped with a boomerang shape with a small broken loop.

Inscriptions & markings

Presented to T.W. Gaudion by Residents of Wandin for Valour 1.3.16