Badge: Demobilised recruit, Donald James Shearman

Demobilised soldiers' badge made of silver washed brass. The oval shaped badge has the raised words 'ENLISTED IN A.I.F. 1918 ISSUED BY DEPT OF DEFENCE' in a band around the edge with the Australian coat-of-arms in the centre. On the reverse are two horizontal brazed-on lugs with the makers name 'STOKES & SONS MELB' and a stamped serial number '4367'.

This badge (sometimes referred to as the 'too bloody late' badge) was issued to those AIF recruits who, at the time of the Armistice, in November 1918, were training in Australia, or who had enlisted but had not yet been called into camp for training. It was also issued to serving members of the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery who had volunteered, but not embarked, for service in the AIF Siege Artillery Brigade.

This example was issued to Donald James Shearman, a 22 year old science student at the University of Sydney who enlisted in the AIF on 18 July 1918. He had previously served in the naval reserve and the University Scouts. Shearman was still undergoing training at Liverpool Camp when the war ended on 11 November. He was discharged a week later.