ANZAC A badge
The ANZAC "A" badge is a brass insignia authorised in November 1917 for members of the First Australian Imperial Force who had served as a member of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. In 1918, eligibility was extended to those who had served at Lemnos, Imbros and Tenedos and the transports and hospitals off Gallipoli as well as the communications line to Egypt.
History
The origins of the award are uncertain with
The
In early 1917, convalescent soldiers returned to Australia wearing the badge and its status was initially questioned. This led to its formal approval through AIF Order 937 issued in November 1917. Subsequent orders clarified the entitlement to the badge and made it compulsory. In January 1918, the order extended eligibility to people who had served behind the lines on the Greek islands of Lemnos, Imbros and Tenedos, on the communication lines and hospital ships offshore or on the islands or in the communications to Egypt. This included nurses who served in the hospital ships meaning that women as well as men received acknowledgement as ANZACS.
There was initial resentment of the badges by soldiers who had fought in France at the
ANZAC rosettes were also worn by men who had joined in 1914 and came home on ANZAC leave to show that they had not been shirking their duty.
References
- ^ "NAA: B2455, BURBURY M G". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ F.M. Cutlack (ed.), War letters of General Monash, Sydney, 1934, p. 148 cited on [1]
- Australian Encyclopedia (1996), Volume 1, page 1.