Australian Forces Badges

Wildcat · Oct 25, 2010

I live "in the bush" so to speak. I was mucking with my MXT the other day and walked out my gate into the bush directly across the road.
I can't work out how these would have got there unless there was an army camp in the area many years ago.
I also found an old padlock (made in the USA) and a silver spoon.
I have dated these at 1903.
Cheers
The Cat

Mackaydon · Oct 25, 2010

Yes, indeed; the famous Rising Sun Badge, selected as the Army's General Service badge in 1902 and now the badge of the army, originated in South Australia.
The original concept, a collection of Martini-Henry bayonets and sword bayonets of the NSW Alexander Henry sword & socket style, radiating from a crown, was designed as a trophy. The initial drawing was done by Major J M Gordon, of the South Australian Permanent Artillery in 1893.

I agree; yours is the third version of the badge: 1903; and a fantastic find!!

The history of this badge, many pics of its variants and the source of my comments can be found here:
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-badges/rising_sun.htm
Don.......

CRUSADER · Oct 25, 2010

Unlikely a camp. They do turn up all over the place in the UK. Dumped on fields, in allotments, in gardens, pretty much anyway. :icon_thumright:

I found the same badge (top one) on a football pitch.

Although, some might think its 'modern' to me, I do like finding all the different regiments & have searched a couple of dumps for them. :headbang:

I've done a display in the local museum, its history people can connect with & like to look at. Remembering family members who used to wear them & are no longer with us :'(

Wildcat · Oct 25, 2010

Thanks for the comments guys. As you would know, they are supposed to be naturally oxidised copper colour, but I had to clean them up so I will let them naturally oxidize again now. Thanks for the link Mackaydon.

The Cat