Discharged Returned Soldier Badge: Lieutenant W C B Daly, 12 Battalion AIF

Circular brass badge surmounted by a King's Crown. Around the outside of the badge in raised lettering is 'ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE'. In the center of the badge is the rising sun under which is 'A.I.F.' in raised letters. On the reverse of the badge are two brass lugs, only one of which remains. Beneath the lugs is impressed the badge number '21914'. Stamped under the badge number are the maker's details 'AMOR SYDNEY'.

William Constant Beckx (also spelt Beck and Becks) Daly, an importer from Melbourne, enlisted in the AIF on the 31 January 1916, shortly after his 32nd birthday. His younger brother Clarence had already transferred from the militia to the AIF on the outbreak of war. Assigned the service number 10830, Driver Daly sailed from Melbourne aboard HMAT Persic in June 1916 with Headquarters, 3 Divisional Train, Army Service Corps. On arrival in France he served briefly with the 3rd Divisional Salvage Company and his brother's unit, the 6th Battalion.

In April 1917 Daly was sent to England to undergo officer cadet training at 2 Officers Cadet Battalion Pembroke College, and was promoted second lieutenant in August. He then returned to France with a posting to 12 Battalion. In November he was appointed lieutenant and underwent further training in the following months, first at the Anzac Corps School (Infantry) and then at Engineering School. Daly rejoined his battalion in March 1918 and was severely wounded in action on 29 May, sustaining gunshot wounds to his face, jaw, arm and thigh. He was evacuated to the 3rd London General Hospital in England and spent the next few months convalescing.

He was posted to the Overseas Training Brigade in July and then rejoined 12 Battalion in France, from December 1918 until February 1919. On his return to the UK, Daly underwent sponsored training in the manufacture of 'druggist sundries' and married Edith Harrby (or Harrhy) in Islington, London on 8 April. He embarked for Australia, with Edith, on 18 July 1919 aboard HMAT Orsova arriving in Melbourne on 4 September. Daly's appointment in the AIF was terminated on 7 June 1920.