The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Brass and dark blue enamelled cross suspended from a small brass ring. The word 'VOLUNTEERED' appears in gold letters within a white enamelled rectangle across the horizontal arm of the cross. The vertical arm of the cross has the words 'FOR HOME AND EMPIRE' superimposed in gold letters. A brass King's crown with red and white enamel surmounts the vertical arm of the cross. The name 'W C STAVLEY' is impressed on the reverse.
These crosses, individually named, could be purchased at a cost of 2 shillings from the “Australian Patriot’s League”, a Victorian-based organisation. Any accepted, discharged, or rejected volunteer, for the navy, army, or nursing services, could apply for the badge upon provision of a signed declaration that they had volunteered to serve. The Australian government was strongly opposed to such badges being produced and distributed unofficially. In 1918, after the introduction of its own lapel badges for volunteers, returned veterans, medically unfit and those required for home service, the Department of Recruiting declared the wearing of the Patriot’s League badge to be unlawful, and intimated that wearers were liable to prosecution. This example is associated with the service of Lieutenant William Charles Beresford Stavely who served in 59 Battalion, AIF during the First World War. Stavely was born in Victoria in 1894 and worked for the local council at Avoca until his enlistment, on 11 February 1916. Allocated the service number 2253, he completed initial training at Broadmeadows and later on the Salisbury Plains in England, before his battalion moved to France. After service there Stavely he was sent to Balliol College, Oxford where he underwent officer training. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant on 17 May 1918 and returned to his battalion in France. He took part in the Battle of Hamel, taking over command of a company when Lieutenant Facey was killed. Stavely was gassed later in 1918 and saw no further active service. He returned to Australia on 5 February, 1919 and was discharged 15 March 1919.
Circular metal and plastic association membership lapel badge. There is a thin red border around the circumference of the badge with the battalion's rectangular vertically aligned brown and red colour
Small hand made woollen doll. The doll is made of a piece of wool divided into six parts to form hair, a face, arms and legs. The arms and legs are tied at the ends with pieces of red cotton to form h
Brown leather flying helmet with a small soft peak. The helmet is fitted with leather flaps over each ear, each with a 25 mm reinforced hole corresponding to the wearer's ear which is designed to acco
Lock of dark brown hair from the head of Lieutenant W C B Stavely. Associated with Lieutenant William Charles Beresford Stavely who served in 59 Battalion, AIF during the First World War. Stavely wa
Officer's khaki soft peaked cap with a brass Rising Sun badge. A small oxidised Australian Military Forces button is located on the left side of the peak, designed to retain the absent chin strap. The
Officer's khaki wool service dress jacket lined with khaki polished cotton. The jacket has pleated breast pockets with triple pointed flaps and a pair of expanding pockets over each hip with straight
Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) William Charles Beresford (Bill) Stavely. Stavely was born in Wycheproof, Vic, in 1894 and worked for the local council at Avoca until his enlistment, on 11 Februar
Cigarette packet containing five cigarettes. The colour illustration on the front of the packet depicts two soldiers in colonial uniforms. The Egyptian soldier is leaning on a white rectangular sign b
A brown piece of paper wrapped around the hair (REL30979.001) and printed in black with 'Cpl W.C.B. STAVELY A LOCK OF MY DARLINGS HAIR AS HE LEFT FOR THE FRONT 1916'. Associated with Lieutenant Will
Circular gold watch fob presented to Lieutenant William Charles Stavely upon his return to Australia from the First World War. Obverse features a central Australian coat of arms, engraved around the r
Rectangular silver brooch with a pin and clasp on the reverse for attachment. The brooch takes the form of a voided rectangle with an early model tank with rear steering wheels centred within it. Bene
Circular metal and plastic association membership lapel badge. There is a thin red border around the circumference of the badge with the battalion's rectangular vertically aligned brown and red colour
Rectangular silver brooch with a pin and clasp on the reverse for attachment. The brooch takes the form of a voided rectangle with an early model tank with rear steering wheels centred within it. Bene
Officer's khaki soft peaked cap with a brass Rising Sun badge. A small oxidised Australian Military Forces button is located on the left side of the peak, designed to retain the absent chin strap. The
Lock of dark brown hair from the head of Lieutenant W C B Stavely. Associated with Lieutenant William Charles Beresford Stavely who served in 59 Battalion, AIF during the First World War. Stavely wa
A brown piece of paper wrapped around the hair (REL30979.001) and printed in black with 'Cpl W.C.B. STAVELY A LOCK OF MY DARLINGS HAIR AS HE LEFT FOR THE FRONT 1916'. Associated with Lieutenant Will
Officer's khaki wool service dress jacket lined with khaki polished cotton. The jacket has pleated breast pockets with triple pointed flaps and a pair of expanding pockets over each hip with straight