Fundraising badge : Patriotic 'British War Tank Adelaide Sept 1918' with Mk IV female tank, 4643

Place Oceania: Australia, South Australia
Accession Number RELAWM16782.009.009
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Badge
Physical description Celluloid, Paper, Tin
Maker Atkinson & Co, Adelaide
Place made Australia: South Australia, Adelaide
Date made 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Circular celluloid-coated tin badge featuring a black and white photograph of a Mk IV female tank, serial 4643, climbing over rubble, a biplane in the upper distance, bordered by the words 'BRITISH WAR TANK ADELAIDE SEPT 1918'. Mounted to cardboard mount strip 2/9, reference number D1905.

History / Summary

In June 1918 a newly manufactured Mark IV Female tank arrived in Australia, from Glasgow. The tank was used as a propaganda tool and toured to raise money for the war effort. In mid September 1918 the tank featured in War Loan rallies in Adelaide, South Australia. There, a competition was held to name the tank and on Saturday 14 September it was christened 'Grit' by Lady Galway. This badge was part of the fund raising effort that surrounded the tank during its time in south Australia.