Mothers and Widows Badge : Mrs E M Eedy

Places
Accession Number REL29668
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Badge
Physical description Silk, White metal; Alloy
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia
Date made c 1919
Conflict Period 1910-1919
First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Black silk ribbon embroidered with the Rising Sun badge, two sprigs of Wattle and the words 'FOR AUSTRALIA', suspended between white metal bars. The lower bar has a single gilded seven-pointed star attached to its centre. The top bar has a pin clasp and is impressed with the number '4540'.

History / Summary

The Mothers and Widows Badge was issued to the wives or mothers of those Australian service personnel of the AIF or ANMEF who were killed in action or died from causes directly attributable to their service. A single star attached to the lower bar represented the life lost, and further stars were issued for any additional son killed. This badge was issued to Mrs Eleonora Mary Eedy (nee Hallowes) of Botany, NSW, in recognition of the death of her son 1540 Gunner Ronald Frederick Eedy of 3 Australian Field Artillery Brigade, who was killed in action at Passchendaele on 22 October 1917. Mrs Eedy's husband, 2249 Private William Ferrier Eedy, 2 Remount Unit, and three of her other sons, 1732 Gunner Peter Ferrier Eedy, 3 Army Brigade Australian Field Artillery, 3316 Lance Corporal George William Eedy, 14 Australian Infantry Battalion, and 3403 Private Neil Arthur (Matthew) Eedy, Australian Army Medical Corps, also served in the war.