Merchant Navy officer's cap badge: Australian Commonwealth Line of Steamers

Cap badge for a Merchant Navy officer with the Australian Commonwealth Line. The badge features a embroidered gilt bullion thread wreath with a seven pointed star above. Below the star, and inside the wreath, is a bar of gilt bullion with twists of blue above an enamelled Australian Red Ensign.

Usually known as the Commonwealth Line, but officially the Commonwealth Government Line of Steamers between 1916 and 1923, then the Australian Government Line of Steamers until 1928, this was an Australian Government owned and run shipping line that was the project of Prime Minister Billy Hughes. While visiting Britiain in 1916 during the First World War he purchased 15 tramp steamers to transport Australian commodities, especially wool and wheat, to export markets. In Australia, another 23 ships came under the new company's control, which were mostly German and Austrian ships which been seized in Australian territorial waters.

At the end of the war the Commonwealth Line built five ocean liners to carry immigrants from England to Australia. Although the company made a small profit it was often a target for industrial action. In 1923 Stanley Bruce replaced Hughes as prime minister. Bruce opposed the government's ownership of the line as a financial burden and an unfair competitor against private owners, and the fleet was gradually sold off, culminating in a final sale in 1928.