War Chest fundraising badge

Circular gold badge with a raised chest in the centre marked with the words 'WAR CHEST'. Around the outer rim of the badge are the words 'FOR OUR SOLDIERS 1917'. The central area around the chest would once have contained blue enamel. The reverse of the badge is fitted with a brooch fastening and stamped 'W F W 9CT'.

During the First World War a vast array of benevolent societies and privately run patriotic funds and charities were formed to raise money from the public to help support Australia's allies and its soldiers. Patriotic leagues and societies organised many different fund raising efforts.

One such organisation, the New South Wales War Chest, organised three button days on 30 June 1916, 28 September 1917 and 29 November 1918 raising over 350,000 pounds.

The total amount of money raised through fundraising events in Australia over the course of the First World War is estimated at over 12 million pounds.