Badge. Qld. Red Cross 1916
Production date
1916
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Object detail
Description
Obv: "Queensland Red Cross 1916" Red Cross. Rev: Pin
Classification
NUMISMATICS (MEDALS AND OTHER) Badges Civil red cross
Production date
1916
Measurements
22mm
Media/Materials description
Painted tin
Signature/Marks
QUEENSLAND RED CROSS 1916
History and use
This ‘Queensland Red Cross 1916’ badge was donated by Beryl Harris (nee Wilkinson) who grew up in Queensland as a young teen during World War 1. In 1916, 12-year-old Beryl Wilkinson volunteered to help raise funds on Red Cross Day in Nambour, Queensland.
The Red Cross as we know it today was an outcome of WW1; it came into being nine days after Britain entered the War, and quickly spread to colonial outposts such as Australia. The first ‘Red Cross Day’ in Queensland was organised as a special state-wide fundraising appeal by the Queensland Division during July 1916. The event aimed to urgently raise funds for the organisation’s hospital work with the continual stream of wounded soldiers returning from the War.
Badges such as this were sold to raise funds by members and volunteers on Red Cross Day around the State. A great deal of preparation was required on the part of the Red Cross branches and sub-branches and in some cases, funds needed to be raised for the event itself. Some of the fundraising activities included football matches, carnivals, fetes and concerts. On Red Cross Day, coin collections were made and items such as fruit, flowers, poultry, eggs, cakes, jams, fancy work, badges and buttons and other articles were sold at street stalls. In Brisbane and Cairns street processions with full programs were arranged for Red Cross Day; the total proceeds for the 1916 event in Brisbane came to £2100.
The Red Cross as we know it today was an outcome of WW1; it came into being nine days after Britain entered the War, and quickly spread to colonial outposts such as Australia. The first ‘Red Cross Day’ in Queensland was organised as a special state-wide fundraising appeal by the Queensland Division during July 1916. The event aimed to urgently raise funds for the organisation’s hospital work with the continual stream of wounded soldiers returning from the War.
Badges such as this were sold to raise funds by members and volunteers on Red Cross Day around the State. A great deal of preparation was required on the part of the Red Cross branches and sub-branches and in some cases, funds needed to be raised for the event itself. Some of the fundraising activities included football matches, carnivals, fetes and concerts. On Red Cross Day, coin collections were made and items such as fruit, flowers, poultry, eggs, cakes, jams, fancy work, badges and buttons and other articles were sold at street stalls. In Brisbane and Cairns street processions with full programs were arranged for Red Cross Day; the total proceeds for the 1916 event in Brisbane came to £2100.
Associated person
Registration number
N5820
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