The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Black cotton ribbon with woven design, in yellow, red and white, showing two sprigs of wattle, the rising sun badge and 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. The top of the ribbon is attached to a white metal bar impressed with laurel leaves. The reverse bears a brooch pin fastening and is impressed with the serial number '27084'. Missing from the bottom of the badge is a similar white metal bar which would have had two brass stars indicating the death of Mrs Reid's two sons.
The Mothers and Widows Badge was issued to the mother and/or widow of all members of the Australian Imperial Force or the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force who had been killed in action, died of wounds or of other causes while on active service; or who had died of wounds or sickness directly attributable to that service after discharge. Stars were added to the bottom bar (which is missing in this example), each indicating the death of a person.
This badge was issued to Mrs Mary Reid, mother of 308 Corporal John Dill Reid and 4523 Private Marcus Dill Reid. Within weeks of the outbreak of the First World War, John Dill Reid, a 21 year old poultry farmer from Holdsworthy, NSW, enlisted with C Company, 13 Battalion on 23 September 1914. He embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ulysses on 22 December. After a period of training in Egypt, Reid landed at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli in the evening of 25 April 1915. He was killed in action the following day.
His brother, Marcus Dill Reid, a 21 year old clerk from Bankstown, NSW, enlisted with the 1st Battalion on 10 September 1915. He embarked for Egypt aboard RMS Osterley on 15 January 1916. In March Reid transferred to the 13th Battalion. He spent several months in England with the 4th Training Battalion before proceeding to France and rejoining the 13th Battalion in the field in January 1917. Suffering from pneumonia Reid was evacuated to England for treatment and rejoined his unit in Belgium on 7 July.
Reid died of wounds received in action on 13 July while occupying the front line near Ploegsteert Wood. Neither son has a known grave. John Reid is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli and Marcus Reid is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. Both brothers' photographs, medals and next of kin plaques are held in the Memorial's collection.
British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of 308 Corporal John Dill Reid. Within weeks of the outbreak of the First World War, Reid, a 21
British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of 4523 Private Marcus Dill Reid, a clerk from Bankstown, NSW. Aged 21 he enlisted with the 1st
Circular identity disc impressed with 'J.D.REID/ C/ 308/ 13. A.I/ P'. Associated with the service of 308 Corporal John Dill Reid. Within weeks of the outbreak of the First World War, Reid, a 21 year
Circular identity disc impressed with 'M.D.REID/ A/ 1/4523/ 13. A.I/ C.E'. Associated with the service of 4523 Private Marcus Dill Reid, a clerk from Bankstown, NSW. Aged 21 he enlisted with the 1st
Bronze next of kin plaque showing Britannia and a lion together with the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR'. The name of the dead soldier, 'JOHN DILL REID', is inscribed in raised letters within a
Bronze next of kin plaque showing Britannia and a lion together with the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR'. The name of the dead soldier, 'MARCUS DILL REID', is inscribed in raised letters within
Studio portrait of 308 Corporal (Cpl) John Dill Reid, C Company, 13th Battalion, of Liverpool, NSW. A farmer prior to enlistment on 23 September 1914, he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ulysses on
Studio portrait of 4523 Private (Pte) Marcus Dill Reid, 14th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion, of Bankstown, NSW. A clerk prior to enlistment on 10 September 1915, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Ost
Victory Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of 308 Corporal John Dill Reid. Within weeks of the outbreak of the First World War, Reid, a 21 year old po
Victory Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of 4523 Private Marcus Dill Reid, a clerk from Bankstown, NSW. Aged 21 he enlisted with the 1st Battalion o
Black silk ribbon is machine embroidered in gold with wattle sprigs, a 'Rising Sun' badge and 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. Badge is suspended from a whitemetal bar bearing laurel leaves. A whitemetal bar at the b
Black silk ribbon with woven design, in yellow, red and white, showing two sprigs of wattle, the Rising Sun badge and 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. The ribbon is held between two white metal bars. The upper bar is
Mothers and Widows badge with impressed serial number on reverse upper bar '26323'. Badge takes the form of a black machine embroidered ribbon, showing, in yellow, white and red, sprigs of wattle, a '
Black ribbon machine embroidered in yellow, white and red with 'Rising Sun' badge, sprays of wattle and 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. Ribbon is held between two white medal bars, the lower of which has two gold se
Black silk ribbon with woven design in yellow, red and white, showing wattle sprays, a central 'Rising Sun' badge and 'FOR AUSTRALIA' below. Ribbon is attached at the top to a white metal bar impresse
Black silk ribbon with woven design, in yellow, red and white, showing wattle sprays, 'Rising Sun' badge and 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. Ribbon is attached at the top to a white metal bar impressed on the front
