Badge, Conscription Referendum
Object detail
Description
Badge for 1916 or 1917 referendum on Conscription in Australia with map of Australia on the front with blue background and text, "Yes", and pin on reverse.
Classification
NUMISMATICS (MEDALS AND OTHER) Badges Civil button badge
Maker
Measurements
Dia 23 mm x H5 mm
Media/Materials description
Steel,
Signature/Marks
YES
AUTH A.W.PATRICK, 440 RAE ST. FITZROY PRNT MODERN PIG Co 246 ELK St. MELB
AUTH A.W.PATRICK, 440 RAE ST. FITZROY PRNT MODERN PIG Co 246 ELK St. MELB
History and use
This badge with "Yes" printed across a map of Australia indicates it was from one of the two conscription referenda during World War 1, in 1916 and 1917. These referenda were held at the height of the War to boost the numbers of Australians at the front, as volunteer enlistments had dramatically declined (for example, from 2,238 in October 1916 to 452 in June 1917). Instead, the referenda established the principle that there would be no conscription for the armed forces during that conflict. The issue was remarkably divisive and the results reflected various views, ranging from opposition to the war, concerns about the rising number of casualties, and opposition to the concept of men being conscripted or forced to fight alongside volunteers.
In Queensland the conscription referenda also established a tradition of Roman Catholic radicalism that underpinned much of the history of the Labor movement in the first half of the 20th century. Many anti-conscriptionists were Irish Catholics bitterly opposed to English occupation of Ireland.
In Queensland the conscription referenda also established a tradition of Roman Catholic radicalism that underpinned much of the history of the Labor movement in the first half of the 20th century. Many anti-conscriptionists were Irish Catholics bitterly opposed to English occupation of Ireland.
Registration number
N6842
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