Schoolchildren's Peace Medalet

Circular Schoolchildren's Peace medalet with a plain edge and integral suspension loop. The remnants of a red, white and blue ribbon are attached to the suspension loop. The obverse features a symbolic female figure of Peace, holding a sword and standing on a plinth marked 'PEACE 1919' over 'AUSTRALIA'. Behind her flies a pair of doves, and at her left and right are two figures freed from their shackles. On the bottom right is the manufacturer's name of 'AMOR LTD'.

The reverse features a central panel surrounded by laurel leaves, surmounted by the King's Crown with the word 'VICTORY' over the rays of the rising sun. A sailor and a soldier stand at ease on either side of the panel on which is cast 'THE / TRIUMPH / OF / LIBERTY / AND / JUSTICE'. Below the leaves is a very small panel with the words 'THE PEACE OF 1919'. Under the feet of the soldier is in very small embossed 'EBR'.

This Schoolchildren's Peace medalet was part of a collection relating to 9146 Gunner (Gnr) Leopold Eric Alexis Ferguson of Goulburn, NSW. As he was killed on 9 June 1917 and this badge was issued to school children post war it is believed that a member of his family received the medalet.

Designed by C Douglas Richardson, 'The Peace of 1919' medalet was issued by the Defence Department to school children throughout Australia to commemorate the signing of the Versailles Peace Treaty in 1919. The medals were suspended from a narrow piece of red, white and blue striped cotton ribbon.