Jack's Day assistant's badge with badges and pin : Miss G Butler

Paper badge printed in red with the image of a returning sailor smoking a pipe and the words 'ASSISTANT No. 7011. JACK'S DAY NOV. 1ST. 1918'. The back of the badge has some handwritten notes in pencil which refer to the fundraising money collected. Pinned to the front of the badge are three fundraising badges, a round War Chest Day badge, a round Jack's Day badge and a Jack's Day pin. Both fundraising badges consist of pressed tinplate with a celluloid face and a pin attachment to the reverse.The War Chest Day badge features a red, six-pointed star on a gold or bronze background with the words 'WAR CHEST DAY' set inside the star in white. The Jack's Day badge features a british bulldog standing in front of a unfurling British Flag with the word's 'JACK'S DAY' set to the left of the flag. The Jack's Day pin is shaped like a fisherman's anchor and rode, with the words 'JACK'S DAY' embossed on the lower arm. The pin is cast from gilded brass.

This paper badge, pin and badges were worn by Miss Gwen Butler on Jack's Day on 1 November 1918, in her role as assistant for the day, and on War Chest Day on 29 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. War Chest Day was held in Sydney in 1916, 1917 and 1918. It was organised to obtain public support for troops overseas through raising money and the provision of troop comforts. Funds raised on the 1918 War Chest Day were put towards the repatriation of returning servicemen. 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.