League of Soldiers' Friends badge : Miss R Cambridge Accession Number: REL41897

Description

Circular brass and enamel badge featuring a brass soldier in profile within a dark blue bishop's mitre, all on a white background. A red enamel border features the words 'League of Soldiers Friends / Take Care of Him'. A brooch fitting is soldered to the reverse, which also bears the maker's details.

Contextual Description

Part of a collection of badges which were collected by Miss Ruth Cambridge, daughter of a Boer War veteran, probably Private Owen Cambridge, First Victorian Contingent.

The League of Soldiers' Friends was an Anglican organisation formed in Victoria during the early part of the First World War and which continued operating throughout the interwar years. In total, the League raised £12,416 during the war. It was active again during the Second World War.

The League, reported the Age of 12 April 1940, had between thirty and forty branches located 'throughout Victoria working to raise funds to assist in the work being done in military camps and on board troopships by Anglican chaplains. ... In addition to providing recreation centres in camps, the league members are helping to provide communion vessels for services for the men, and all necessary equipment for meetings, both aboard troopships and in military centres.' Cards and letters were written to soldiers serving overseas and a special blank post-free postcard was prepared in 1918 which allowed servicemen leaving France for England to advise family members that they were safe. Postwar, the League raised funds for commemorative stained glass windows in a number of Victorian parish churches.