Jack's Day pin and raffle ticket : Miss G Butler

Accession Number REL39049
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Enamel, Metal, Paper, Silver gilt
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia
Date made c 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Raffle ticket with Jack's Day lapel badge pinned to it. The raffle ticket is printed in blue ink on a white background and features an illustration of a returning sailor smoking a pipe. Across the top of the ticket is printed 'JACK'S DAY / A Fund to help the men of the Navy and the Mercantile Marine'. The ticket number, stamped in the top left corner, is '41777'. In the top right corner of the ticket is stated - 'By Authority of the Department of Repatriation'. The prize for the raffle is printed on the ticket as 'Household Linen and Cupboard / Donated by MRS. KELSO KING', with the 'Winning Ticket to be announced in the Daily Papers 30th November.' The lapel badge consists of a blue enamel fisherman's anchor with silver gilt anchor rode. 'JACK'S DAY' is written in silver across the lower arm.

History / Summary

This lapel badge and raffle ticket are associated with Miss Gwen Butler who volunteered as an assistant on Jack's Day on 1 November 1918. Jack's Day was held as a fundraising day for returning naval servicemen and Mercantile Marine sailors. The day raised 187,441 pounds in NSW and Queensland, which was achieved through raffles offering various prizes, an art auction and the auction of a cottage in Sydney. The day and its various fund raising activities came under the authority of the Department of Repatriation. Miss Butler had an uncle in the Navy (HMAS Sydney), as well as another in the Royal Flying Corps. In addition, her boyfriend also served in the Navy during the war.