Badge of Pride

Image: Female Relatives Badge presented in memory of Albert Edward Kemp, who was killed in action on the Western Front in World War I in 1917. The ribbon would have been given to either his wife or his mother.

Badges like this came in all sorts and sizes and were generally issued by the Australian Postal Service, which has continued its proud history of supporting veterans and their families into the present. The above badge was issued in memory of Albert Edward Kemp, a 32-year-old butcher living in Caulfield. He was married to Annie Josephine when he enlisted. He and Annie had a daughter, Ethel Mavis, and a baby son, George Percival. Albert enlisted at Royal Park on 4 October 1916 and was assigned to the 22nd Reinforcements, 6th Battalion – regimental number 6800. His battalion left Melbourne on 25 October 1916 – just 21 days after he enlisted. He was shipped to France on 27 March and was taken on strength on 4 April. On 21 September 1917, Albert died in the trenches in Glencorse Wood, Belgium. His body was never recovered. He is commemorated at 29 The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

According to the Australian War Memorial, the badge was officially sanctioned in Military Order 64 of 1919. The Barrier Miner (NSW) announced on 4 June 1919 that badges were now being issued to the mothers and widows of those "who have been killed in action or died of wounds or other causes while serving, or who after discharge died from causes directly attributable to wounds or sickness incurred while on service". Appropriate wear was prescribed: "When the badge is worn it should be attached to the dress, on the right breast". A total of 30,000 badges were ordered (although over 60,000 were killed). Delivery was delayed due to power restrictions during "the strike" of 1919, and the contractor struggled to produce the necessary quality for the metal bars.