World War One Australia Violet Day 1917 Remembrance Pinback Button Badge- RARE

 World War One Australian Pinback Button Badge

AUSTRALIA World War One Tin Lapel Political Patriotic Pin Back Button Badge very scarce - almost 100 years old

This is a VIOLET DAY 1917 REMEMBRANCE button issued by the Australia Cheer Up Society

World War One Cheer Up Society 1917 Violet Day Remembrance Pinback Button Badge -  Very Scarce

Description

WWI commemorative circular plastic-coated pressed tinplate metal badge with a celluloid face and a pin attachment on the reverse. This fund raising badge commemorates the 1917 Violet Day of Remembrance in Australia sponsored by the Cheer Up Society. It depicts a white Cross against a purple violet background with the green inscription "VIOLET DAY 1917 REMEMBRANCE" appearing along the outer edge of this pin back badge.

Inscription:

VIOLET DAY 1917 REMEMBRANCE

Maker
A W. Patrick

Place made
Australia: Victoria , Fitzroy

Date made
c 1917

Size

approximately 32 mm round ( 1 1/4 inches )

Summary:

Australian Cheer UP Society ,Violet Day badge made in 1917.

The Secretary and Organizer of the Cheer-up Society, Mrs Alexandra Seager  conceived the idea of a day to commemorate the fallen heroes of  World War One. In those days symbolism was important, so the violet, a symbol of modesty, sweetness and faithfulness, was chosen to signify the sorrow of the community.

The first Violet Day was held on 2 July 1915. Violets were sent from as far away as Melbourne and the western district of Victoria. Tiny bouquets of violets with purple ribbons printed with the words "In Memory" were sold in the streets of Adelaide. Funds raised on the day were to establish a permanent club for the returned soldiers. The Cheer-up Society was then housed in the Boys Brigade Hall in Bentham Street. During the day the inmates of the Destitute Asylum were each presented with a memorial ribbon provided by the President of the Cheer-up Society, Mr W J (later Sir William) Sowden.

In August 1914 , soon after the outbreak of the World War One, Mrs Alexandrine Seager, a real estate and employment agent, along with William Sowden, editor of the Register, were shocked by the lack of public support for troops awaiting embarkation at the suburban Morphettville camp. They formed the Cheer-Up Society, whose volunteer women workers aimed to 'promote and provide for the comfort, welfare and entertainment' of soldiers and sailors. The society wished to shield soldiers from alcohol and disreputable city entertainments. At the Cheer-Up Hut, opened in 1915 west of the Adelaide City Baths on King William Road and financed by funds raised at fairs and badge days, the men could have free meals, meet friends, play billiards and enjoy concerts. Departing troops were given great farewells. Food and money were donated by the society’s 10 000 members, particularly from country branches. The Burra Cheer-Up Girls’ Band raised funds and the Murray Bridge Cheer-Ups met troop trains with refreshments. For Seager, with a husband and three sons in the army (one died at Gallipoli in 1915), and the other women, this was a labour of love, a maternalist contribution to the war effort.