Australia Day fundraising badge, gold donor 1915 : Captain R A McKillop, 13 Battalion, AIF

Place Oceania: Australia, New South Wales
Accession Number REL35538
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Badge
Physical description Gilded bronze
Maker Stokes
Place made Australia
Date made 1915
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

A gold cross pattee with a laurel wreath circle containing the bust of monarch (Geo V) and the words on each arm: 'REMEMBER / THE / DARDANELLES / 1915'. The reverse features the words: 'July / 30TH / 1915 / AUSTRALIA DAY / GOLD / DONOR'. The brooch has a suspension loop at the top of the upper arm, through which is threaded a red, white and blue ribbon. The ribbon has a small safety pin for attachment to the wearer's clothing.

History / Summary

This badge was produced as a fund raiser for Australia Day, 30 July 1915. During the First World War money was often raised for patriotic funds by setting aside a special 'day' on which activities such as auctions, street collections, performances and stalls were held to encourage the community to contribute. Days such as 'Belgian Day' were organised early in the War to raise funds to relieve the distress of war ravaged Allied countries. The days also provided some short relief from the deepening tensions experienced on the home front. It was decided that on 30 July 1915 an 'Australia Day' would be celebrated across the country, and funds would be raised to help the Australian Division of the Red Cross continue to provide their services. Badges such as this, along with buttons and ribbons, were commonly sold at these events. Note that the Australia Day as we now know it, celebrated on 26 January, was known as Foundation Day until the 1950s. This badge is associated with the service of Robert Alexander McKillop. McKillop was born in Tumut, NSW on 23 April 1882. He worked as a stock and stallion agent in Cooma, NSW prior to his enlistment for service at the age of 33 years in June 1915. He had also served with an Australian Light Horse Regiment (militia) prior to the First World War, though resigned sometime before the war's outbreak. McKillop embarked for service overseas with 13 Battalion in March 1916 and arrived in France, via Alexandria, in May. In August, McKillop was promoted to the rank of lieutenant before undertaking further training in England. Returning to France and 13 Battalion in July 1917, McKillop was soon after promoted to the rank of captain in August. On 14 July 1918, Captain McKillop was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Hebuterne. There, in March 1918, he had led a successful advance of his company into the village and the night after led an attack which resulted in the capture of 10 enemy prisoners. Captain McKillop returned to Australia in September 1919. His son Robert Ian, served as a sergeant in the Australian Army during the Second World War; his medals are also held in the Australian War Memorial's collections.