Fundraising badge: 'British War Tank Adelaide Sept 1918': Mr Samuel Herbert McMillan, Kalangadoo, SA

Place Oceania: Australia, South Australia, Adelaide
Accession Number REL23902.099
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Badge
Physical description Celluloid, Paper, Tin
Maker Atkinson & Co, Adelaide
Place made Australia
Date made 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Patriotic button with a black and white photograph of a British tank (WW1) on the battlefield. At the top of the button is `BRITISH WAR TANK' and at the bottom `ADELAIDE SEPT. 1918'.

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.