Female Relatives' Badge : Mrs E Bayliss

Place Oceania: Australia
Accession Number REL32818
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Badge
Physical description Brass, White metal
Maker G & E Rodd
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made 1940
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Circular white metal badge edged by a wreath surmounted by a King’s crown. In the centre is a map of Australia surrounded by another wreath and the words 'TO THE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA'. Suspended below the badge by a pair of rings is a bar with a seven pointed bronze star attached. The reverse is impressed with the serial number 'A46535' and has the raised words 'ISSUED BY THE C'WLTH GOVT' and 'G & E RODD 1940'. The badge has a pin fastening and safety chain on the back.

History / Summary

The Female Relative Badge was issued to the wife and/or mother or nearest female relative of Australians who were on active service abroad during the Second World War. Each star on the badge represents a son or relative on active service. This badge is associated with the service of VX3382 Sergeant Leighton Llewellwyn Bayliss, born in Deniliquin, New South Wales on 22 July 1913. He was the son of Phillip and Evelyn Bayliss, and the husband of Joyce Culvenor Bayliss, of Fairfield, Victoria. Bayliss enlisted in South Melbourne on 8 November 1939 and served in the 2/7 Battalion, Australian Infantry. Aged 29, he died while defending the island of Crete against the German land and airborne invasion on 20 September 1941.