Rising Sun badge 1904-1949 plaque
2023.115.1
Mounted Rising Sun badge circa 1914-1949
Name/Title
Rising Sun badge 1904-1949 plaqueEntry/Object ID
2023.115.1Description
A wooden shield, with the Australian Rising Sun hat badge attached.Use
Since its inception, the basic form of the 1904 version has remained unchanged, although modifications have been made to the wording on the scroll and to the style of crown. Notably, although no badge was ever struck with the wording "Australian Imperial Force", that wording has been used as a headstone design on war graves. In 1945, the Department of the Army recommended that two separate badges for Army war graves of World War II be used, to distinguish between members of the 2nd AIF and the Militia (later the Australian Army Reserve). Subsequently, the "Australian Imperial Force" inscription appeared only on the headstone badges of 2nd AIF members. In 1949, when Corps and Regimental badges were reintroduced, the badge was changed again. The wording on the scroll was changed to read "Australian Military Forces", deleting the word "Commonwealth". Nevertheless, the earlier badge remained in common use with recruit training units until at least the late 1960s. Regimental badges replaced the Rising Sun badge on the side of slouch hats where available. In 1969, the badge was again modified to incorporate the Federation Star and Torse Wreath from the original 1902 version of the badge. In 1972, the scroll wording was shortened again to "Australia". However, due to the number of older badges still held in stock this badge was not produced for issue until the late 1980s.[8] In 1991, a new design, created by Case Wildriks, was produced which returned the design to one similar to that of the original World War I badge, to coincide with the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the fighting at Gallipoli. The inscription on the scroll was again changed and today it reads "The Australian Army" and once again, the badge graces the side of slouch hats, with regimental badges moved to the front. In 1995, the badge was altered for the last time when the metal was changed from 1160 aluminium alloy, returning it to brass for the first time since World War II, but with a copper and gold plate, while also raising the crown and arms. The piercings it had in 1914 were reintroduced, thus returning it to its traditional layout. The Rising Sun design of today, is the seventh iteration and continues to be used as the General Service Badge.Category
Memorabilia, Plaque, Heraldry, Badge, Military Uniform, War Memorabilia