NX39009 Private Frank Lewis Shelley
WIA
2nd/1st Infantry Battalion
16th Infantry Brigade
6th Division
2nd Australian Imperial Force
This file last updated 5 August, 2021 17:42
INTERIM ENTRY - FURTHER FAMILY INFO REQUIRED
Introduction
NX39009 Frank Lewis Shelley
[ Photo taken on enlistment ]
Frank Lewis Shelley is born in BURWOOD on 11 Sep 1918 , the 4th of five
children born to Frank Edward Shelley and Lydia née Chandler who married in 1910 in
CANTURBURY.
His siblings are Estelle M (born 1910 in BURWOOD, marries Reginald E. Trewin at YOUNG in 1931),
Millicent Jean (born 1913 in SUTHERLAND, marries Thomas Edward Norman in 1936), older brother
John (Jack) Shelley who also serves in WW2 (born 16 Feb 1916
in COOTAMUNDRA, marries Ellen Emily Eccleston in 1947) who also served in WW2 and Winifred Lydia
(born 1922 in YOUNG, marries David John Ravell in 1944). The hyperlink above is the link to Jack's
Service Record.
He enlists in the 2nd AIF on 18 Jul 1941, at PADDINGTON, NSW, giving his birth details as above
and his trade as truck driver. His NOK is Myrtle
Irene Shelley (née Troth) from Rockdale who he married on [date 1940] and is living in MONTEAGLE
via YOUNG.
He is appointed to the 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion after initially commencing Signals training.
There is no medical record on enlistment which would normally be a part of the service record.
This would have been conducted but perhaps misfiled due to the urgent need rebuild the battalion
after most of the 2nd/1st were taken POW on CRETE in May 1941.
After a short period manning defences in northern SYRIA the battalion was embarked for service
against the Japanese, but sailing for Australian the 16th and 17 Brigades were diverted to
CEYLON (present-day SRI LANKA) to defend against possible Japanese attack there.
The 2nd/1st disembarked in MELBOURNE in August 1942 and after landing in PORT MORESBY in late
September 1942, fought in the advance along the KOKODA TRAIL to the beachheads from September
1942 to January 1943.
Frank sustained a gunshot wound to the head on 22 Nov 1942 fracturing his skull and lacerating
his brain. He returned to AUSTRALIA on 1 Dec 1942 spending six months in recovery. He
took no further active part in the war before being demobilised on 21 Jan 1944 due
to (his previous) employment in an essential occupation.
See Frank Shelley's Service Record.
Frank died 7 Jun 2015 and is buried at MONTEAGLE NSW between his wife Myrtle and his brother
Jack.
This record was compiled for Frank's son, Vietnam veteran 215882 Trevor Francis Shelley and his
family by Clive Mitchell-Taylor in May 2024.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations or acronyms which have a dotted underline can be expanded by moving the cursor
over the term - e.g. WIA. The cursor will be replaced by
? and the expanded abbreviation will be displayed. This is gradually being
incorporated into the site, replacing the the current expansion of abbreviations. There may
be a discernable delay of about a second before the expansion is first provided.
There is also a separate list of abbreviations which is available
through the menu at the top of this page or the hyperlink here. Abbreviations are inconsistent,
even within a single occurence where a term is abbreviated.
There are a number of sources for tracing abbreviations used in Australian and New Zealand service records.
Those used when operating with the British or US forces can generally be found, especially in World War 1.
Abbreviations used solely within Australia in WW2 are most difficult to trace, particularly when they are
regional. Sometimes a 'best guess' is the only answer.
Duplicated Pages
Some of the service information may appear to be duplicated although individual occurrences are not in the
same order and different abbreviations used. This occurs when the unit and Army records are amalgamated upon
discharge or death in Service.
Service Numbers
Service numbers in WW1 were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery). In WW2 Service
Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted. For further information about identity numbers
for Service personnel, see Regimental and Service Numbers
Dates of Occurrence and Reporting
The date of reporting an incident may be hours, days or months after the date on which incident actually occurred.
The original service record is amended only when the incident is reported which means that events are not necessarily
recorded in in strict chronological sequence. This is the date shown on the left of the page of the original record,
and also on the left in my transcription but readers should note that at times there may be no date of reporting at
all, particularly when service personel are repatriated for discharge at the end of hostilities.
To assist the reader, when transcribing the military record I have done my best to record events in their chronological sequence.
This is date is on the right of the page of the original record and also on the right in my transcription.
For clarity I have transcribed all dates into the format d MMM yyyy.
Enlistment Details
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.
ATTESTATION FORM.
FOR SPECIAL FORCES RAISED FOR SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA AND OVERSEAS
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Army Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . NX39009
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Surname. . . . . . . . . . . . SHELLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Other Names . . . . . . . . . FRANK LEWIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E Coy Sigs TD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Enlisted for service at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARNCLIFFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Place)
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New South Wales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(State) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jul 1941 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Date)
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A.
Questions to be put to persons called out or presenting themselves for voluntary enlistment*
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1. What is your name?
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1. Surname SHELLEY
Other Names Frank Lewis
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2. Where were you born?
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2. In or near the town of Burwood in the state or country of NSW
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3. Are you a natural born or a naturalised British Subject? If the latter papers to be produced.
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3. Natural Born
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4. What is your age and date of birth
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4. Age 22 years & 10 months
Date of Birth 11 Sep 1918
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5. What is your trade or occupation
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5. Truck Driver
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6. Are you married, single or widower?
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6. Married, Wife + one Child
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7. Give details of previous military service —
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7. AMF
No .........................Rank ........Trooper.......Unit ..7th Light Horse
Other Military Service NIL
No ...............Rank .......NIL..........Unit ...................................
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8. If now serving, give particulars
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8. No ...........Rank .......NIL..........Unit ...................................
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9. Who is your actual next of kin? (Order of relationship.— wife, eldest son, eldest daughter, father, mother, eldest brother, eldest sister, eldest half-brother, eldest half-sister)
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9. Name Mrs Myrtle Shelley
Address Monteagle Via Young
Relationship WIFE
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10. What is your permanent address?
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10. 17 Glen Road, Arncliffe
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11. What is your religious denomination?
(Answer optional)
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11. C of E
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12. Have you ever been convicted by a civil court?
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12. No
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I, .....................Frank Lewis Shelley .......................................................................................................do solemnly declare that the
above answers made by me to the above questions are true and I am willing to serve in the Australian Military forces within or beyond the limits of the Commonwwealth.
Witnessed by ......................Illegible....Capt................................ ...................Frank Shelley...................................
(Signature of Attesting or Witnessing Officer)
(Signature)
* The person will be warned that should he give false answers to any of these questions he will be liable to heavy penalties under the Defence Act.
B
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
I certify the above-named person to be Fit for Class I.
Signature of Examining Medical Officer [illegible]
C
OATH OF ENLISTMENT ‡
I,.....................Frank Lewis Shelley ...............swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign
Lord, the King, in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia until the cessation of the present time of war or until sooner
lawfully discharged, dismissed, or removed, and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and cause his Majesty's peace to be kept and
maintained, and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service faithfully discharge my duty according to law.
SO HELP ME GOD!
Signature of Person Enlisted................. Frank Shelley .......................
Subscribed at ............................... Paddington .............................. in the State of ........................... N. S. W. .....................................
this ............................ 18 th ...................................... day of .......................................July .................................. 1941
Before me—
Signature of Attesting Officer ................................ E.H. Jackman Lieut ....................................................................................................
‡ Persons who object to take an oath may make an affirmation in accordance with the Third Schedule of the Defence Act.
In such cases the above form will be amended acccordingly and initialled by the Attesting Officer.
Chronological Events
(Service and Casualty Form)
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Date
Reported
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Received
From
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Event/Casualty
Medical Other Disciplinary
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Date of
Occurence
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Place of
Occurence
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18 Jul 1941
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Arncliffe Recruiting Depot
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Enlisted.
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18 Jul 1941
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SYDNEY
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21 Jul 1941
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Gen Details Depot
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Marched in to General Details Depot
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18 Jul 1941
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SYDNEY
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22 Jul 1941
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Gen Details Depot
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Marched out to E.C. Sigs Trg Depot
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19 Jul 1941
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SYDNEY
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21 Jan 1941
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Sigs Trg Depot
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Taken on Strength
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18 Jul 1941
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TAMWORTH
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5 Aug 1941
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C.D.S.
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Admitted Influenza
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26 Jul 1941
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TAMWORTH
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8 Aug 1941
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C.D.S.
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Discharged
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31 Jul 1941
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TAMWORTH
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7 Sep 1941
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Sigs Trg Depot
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Transferred to No 1 Trg Bn
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3 Sep 1941
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TAMWORTH
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9 Sep 1941
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I.T.Bn.
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Taken on Strength Ex E.C. Sigs T.D.
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3 Sep 1941
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TAMWORTH
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2 Nov 1941
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OIC R.O. E.C.
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Embarked H.M.T. "LL" Convoy 13
QUEEN MARY embarked SYDNEY 1 Nov 1941 for SUEZ via JERVIS BAY, FREEMANTLE & TRINCOMALEE
[Source http://ww2troopships.com/crossings/1941b.htm extracted 30 Apr 2024]
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2 Nov 1941
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SYDNEY
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29 Nov 1941
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2/1 Bn Reints [sic]
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OFFENCE (1) Disobeying a Lawful Command by his Superior Officer
OFFENCE (2) Using Insubordinate Language to a Superior Officer
AWARD Find [sic] £1 by OC Troops
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20 Jul 1941
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AT SEA
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29 Nov 1941
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2/1 Bn Reints [sic]
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Disembarked Middle East
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24 Nov 1941
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MIDDLE EAST
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18 Feb 1942
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16 AITB
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Marched in from 2/1 Bn
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12 Feb 1942
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MIDDLE EAST
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18 Feb 1942
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CO 2/1 Bn
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TOR from 16 Aust Inf Trg Bn
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12 Feb 1942
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MIDDLE EAST
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7 Mar 1942
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CO 2/1 Bn
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Embarked in MIDDLE EAST
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10 Mar 1942
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MIDDLE EAST
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27 Mar 1942
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CO 2/1 Bn
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Disembarked CEYLON
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27 Mar 1942
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CEYLON
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9 Sep 1942
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CO 2/1 Bn
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Embarked CEYLON
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7 Jul 1942
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CEYLON
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7 Aug 1942
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CO 2/1 Bn
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Disembarked MELBOURNE
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7 Aug 1942
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AUSTRALIA
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15 Sep 1942
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CO 2/1 Bn
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Embarked at BRISBANE
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15 Sep 1942
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AUSTRALIA
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22 Sep 1942
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CO 2/1 Bn
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Disembarked PORT MORESBY
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22 Sep 1942
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NEW GUINEA
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22 Nov 1942
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O2E
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Offically reported Wounded in Action GSW Head
[The battalion was heavily engaged at Sananda on 21 and 22 November 1942,
suffering heavy casualties and illness in the waterlogged and swampy country that
surrounded the Japanese positions on higher ground. It was the last of the three
major Japanese enclaves on the northern coast of New Guinea, Gona having already
fallen and Buna being also under attack. Sanananda cost some 2,100 Allied casualties
and the lives of more than 1,500 Japanese.
Source Australian War Memorial Australian War Memorial, Sanananda extracted 5 Jun 2024.]
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21 Nov 1942
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NEW GUINEA
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29 Nov 1942
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Fd Amb
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Evac[uated] to 2/6 Aust Fd Amb
Com[pound] Frac[ture] Skull, Lac[erated?] Brain & transferred to X list.
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31 Oct 1942
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NEW GUINEA
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5 Dec 1942
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Fd Amb
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Evac to AHS Manunda
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27 Nov 1942
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NEW GUINEA
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5 Dec 1942
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AHS Manunda
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Embarked NEW GUINEA
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27 Nov 1942
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NEW GUINEA
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5 Dec 1942
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Hosp Ship
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Disembarked AUSTRALIA
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1 Dec 1942
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AUSTRALIA
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5 Dec 1942
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Hosp Ship
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Evacuated to 2/4 QGH
[Probably an error as there was no 2/4 QGH, corrected in the next entry]
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1 Dec 1942
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AUSTRALIA
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12 Dec 1942
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2/4 AGH
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Evacuated 2/4 AGH to Amb train
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12 Dec 1942
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AUSTRALIA
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15 Dec 1942
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Amb Train
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Evacuated Amb train to 113 AGH
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15 Dec 1942
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AUSTRALIA
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14 Apr 1943
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113 AGH
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Evac to 102 AGH [Holland Park]
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20 Jan 1943
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AUSTRALIA
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14 Apr 1943
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102 AGH
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Evac 102 AGH to 112 ACD
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14 Apr 1943
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AUSTRALIA
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29 Apr 1943
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113 ACD
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Disch[arged] 113 ACD to GDD Sydney
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29 Apr 1943
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Australia
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21 Jan 1944
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Disch AMR&O 253(A)(1)(H) Being required for employment in an essential occupation.
Auth[ority]: AAG(O) 5682 of 11 Jan 1944.
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6 Feb 1944
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NSW
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Medals and Dress Embellishments
1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45 War Medal 1939-1945, and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.
Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information.
Background - Infantry Battalions WW2
[Based on information in Redcoats to Cams, Ian Kuring.]
The Australian infantry battalion organisation in 1939 was structured around three rifle
companies, each of four platoons, a support company of three medium machine gun platoons
and a mortar platoon and a battalion headquarters.
The Middle East battalions were reorganised along British Army lines. Battalion headquarters,
four companies of around 100 men each of three rifle platoons and a companyheadquarters.
Each rifle platoon had a headquarters and three sections. Platoon headquarters was issued
with a light mortar and an anti-tank rifle and each rifle section had a light machinegun.
The headquarters company included specialist platoons of signals, mortars, tracked machinegun
carriers, anti-aircfraft machineguns, assault pioneers and administration.
The Pacific jungle warfare battalions were modified to become smaller and lighter, removing
some heavy weapons and most vehicles. The rifle companies remained much the same, but the
support company specialist tracked carrier, truck and anti-aircraft platoons were removed.
Later in the war, rifle platoon headquarters were issued with a light mortar, a light
anti-tank weapon, one or two sub-machineguns, a sniper rifle, a grenade projection rifle
and a light machinegun at section level.
The establishment strength of wartime infantry battalions varied from 700 to just over
900 men.
Rifle, Small Magazine Lee-Enfield .303in, Mark III with sword bayonet
2nd/1st Australian Infantry Battalion
Source: Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U56044
UNIT COLOUR PATCH
2ND/1ST INFANTRY BATTALION
The 2/1st Battalion was raised at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, on 16 October 1939 as
part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division. It relocated to the newly-opened
Ingleburn Camp on 2 November and, after conducting basic training there, embarked for
overseas service on 10 January 1940.
Disembarking in Egypt on 13 February 1940, the 2/1st moved to Palestine, where it was
concentrated with the rest of the 16th Brigade at Julis near Gaza. The brigade trained in
Palestine until the end of August, when it moved to Egypt to carry out its final preparations
for active service with the 6th Division.
The 2/1st Battalion's first campaign of the Second World War was the advance from Egypt into
eastern Libya in January and February 1941. The battalion was involved in the attacks to
capture Bardia (3-5 January) and Tobruk (21-22 January), and was left to garrison Tobruk as
the advance continued. It left Tobruk on 7 March, ultimately bound for Greece with the rest of
the 6th Division.
The 2/1st Battalion arrived in Greece on 22 March and was soon deployed north to resist the
anticipated German invasion. The battalion occupied positions at Veria on 7 April but, in the
face of superior German force, it began a long withdrawal south on 12 April and was evacuated
by sea from Megara on 25 April. The battalion landed on Crete the next day and was subsequently
deployed with the 2/11th Battalion to defend the critical airfield at Retimo. The German
airborne invasion of Crete began on 20 May but a tenacious defence denied them Retimo airfield
until 30 May. German victories elsewhere on Crete, however, allowed them to concentrate
overwhelming force against Retimo and, short of rations and ammunition, the 2/1st surrendered
and became prisoners of war.
The battalion was rebuilt in Palestine and subsequently manned defences in northern Syria
between October 1941 and January 1942. It left the Middle East, heading for the war against
Japan, on 10 March 1942. The 16th and 17th Brigades, however, were diverted on the voyage
home. Between 26 March and 13 July they defended Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) from possible
Japanese attack. The 2/1st finally disembarked in Australia, at Melbourne, on 7 August 1942;
less than 100 of the men who had originally sailed with it in January 1940 remained with the
battalion.
In the South-West Pacific theatre the 2/1st Battalion fought in two campaigns - the advance
along the Kokoda Trail to the Japanese beachheads between September 1942 and January 1943,
and the drive to clear the Japanese from the Aitape-Wewak region of New Guinea between
December 1944 and August 1945. The period in between was occupied with training in northern
Queensland. The Kokoda Trail fighting, involving major battles at Eora Creek (20-29 October),
Gorari (9-12 November 1942) and Sanananda (20-21 November) was particularly costly, with
over two-thirds of the battalion killed, wounded, or evacuated sick.
The 2/1st Battalion disbanded in December 1945.
Battle Honours
Bardia 1941, Brallos Pass, Buna-Gona, But-Dagua, Capture of Tobruk,
Eora Creek-Templeton's Crossing II, Hawain River, Kokoda Trail,
Mount Olympus, Nambut Ridge, Oivi-Gorari, Retimo, Sanananda Road
Campaign Honours
Crete, Greece 1941, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Middle East 1941-1944, North Africa, South-West Pacific 1942-1945
The 1939-45 Star is awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 for:
- a period of six months (180 days) operational service for RAN and Army personnel and RAAF non-air crew personnel;
- a period of two months operational service for air crew personnel; and/or
- a period of six months service at sea for Merchant Navy provided at least one voyage was made through one of the specified areas of active operations;
The 1939-45 Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States
Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that
for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
Design
The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial
cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words "The 1939-45 Star".
Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
Ribbon
The ribbon has three vertical stripes of dark blue, red and light blue. The dark blue stripe
represents the Naval Forces and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe the Armies and the light blue
stripe the Air Forces.
Clasps
The "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp was awarded to eligible air crew involved in the Battle of Britain.
The "BOMBER COMMAND" clasp was introduced in 2012 and is awarded to eligible Bomber Command aircrew.
When the ribbon is worn alone the standard silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.
The silver rosette emblem is not supplied by the Directorate of Honours and Awards.
The Pacific Star is awarded for entry into operational service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
Navy and Merchant Navy personnel are eligible if the 1939-45 Star is earned by six months service or if they entered the
Pacific Theatre between 2 March 1945 and 2 September 1945.
The Pacific Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section.
Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
Design
The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by
a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words 'The Pacific Star'.
Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
Ribbon
The ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light
blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.
Clasp
The Burma clasp was issued for the Pacific Star.
When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.
The Defence Medal is awarded for six months service in a prescribed non-operational area subject to enemy air
attack or closely threatened, in Australia and overseas, or for 12 months service in non-prescribed non-operational areas.
Within Australia the area is the Northern Territory, north of 14 degrees 30 minutes south, and the Torres Strait Islands
between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
Overseas service includes the Middle East, east of the Suez Canal (less the period of the Syrian Campaign) or Malaya prior to
the Japanese invasion on 8 December 1941.
Design
The medal is cupro-nickel, with the uncrowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.
The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally, with a crown above, with two lions counter rampart as supporters
between the dates 1939 and 1945. The base of the medal reverse has the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL’.
Ribbon
The ribbon is orange with green outer stripes, each green stripe having a black pin-stripe running down the centre.
The green represents the Islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents enemy attacks, and the black represents the black outs.
Attribution
The above information was taken from the Defence Honours site at http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWII/Defence-Medal.asp on 19 Jun 2019.
[Extract from Defence Honours and Awards website -Imperial Awards
The medal is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.
The reverse has a lion standing on a double-headed dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945.
The rim is plain, and the medal hangs from a suspender. The ribbon colours of red, white and blue represent the colours of the Union Flag.
The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for 28 days full-time service in the Armed Forces between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration.
In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea.
A member qualifies for the award where service was brought to an end by death, wounds or other disabilities due to service or by cessation of hostilities on 2 September 1945.
The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel.
Australia Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members
of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II.
The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 months
full-time service, or three years part-time service, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
Members of the Australian Mercantile Marine must have served the qualifying time at sea.
In 1996 the qualifying time was reduced to 30 days full-time or 90 days part-time service. To be eligible
for the medal a serviceman or woman must have been honourably discharged from the Australian Armed Forces.
Design
The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the
Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’.
Ribbon
The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by
two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army,
and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian
Air Force respectively.
Attribution
The above information is from the Defence Honours site at http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWII/Australia-Service-Medal-1939-1945.asp, taken on 19 Jun 2019.
This version of the Rising Sun Badge was worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces, and the badge
has become an integral part of the Digger tradition.
Worn on the the upturned brim of the slouch hat, it is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.
There are a number of versions of the genesis of the badge, the most widely accepted being that it derived from a Trophy
of Arms - various swords and bayonets mounted on a semi-circular display in Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.
The original version worn in South Africa was modified in 1904 and worn by Australian soldiers through two World Wars.
Later changes were made to the style of the crown and the wording on the scroll. The "King's Crown" is the one shown to
the left, while arches of the "Queen's Crown" rise at the same angle as the base of the crown, curve at their highest point
to a level mid-way on the orb below the cross and then down to below the orb.
In 1949 the scroll was changed to read "Australian Military Forces".
In 1969 the badge was modified to incorporate the 7-pointed Federation Star with a central Queen's crown over the Torse
Wreath (a twisted roll of fabric) from the original 1902 version, and the scroll wording changed to "Australia".
In the 75th anniversary year of the the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, there was a drive to return to traditional accoutrements
worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars, which clearly identify the Australian Army. The Queen's crown returned to its
central position and the scroll now reads "The Australian Army'.
Returned From Active Service Badge
The Australian Defence Force Returned From Active Service Badge features a tri-services badge (with an anchor, wings and
Rising Sun) surmounted by the King's or Queen's crown of the reigning monarch, with a boomerang underneath with the text
'RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE' . The reverse of the badge has a pair of pin clips for attachment to the wearer's clothing.
The Returned from Active Service Badge (RASB) is issued to Australian Defence Force personnel who have rendered warlike
service. The badge enables individuals to display their involvement in warlike service while wearing civilian attire. It
is worn when the wearing of service medals is not appropriate or possible. As the award of the RASB is not governed by
statute, it has been the practice of Australian Governments to determine conditions of eligibility for each conflict in
accordance with the circumstances existing at the time.
Since 1945, with the award of the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) 1945-75 and the current AASM, the badge has been
awarded automatically. The bronze badge was introduced in 1953, and is identical to the earlier post-Second World War Returned
from Active Service badge, apart from the replacement of the King's crown with the Queen's crown.
Anecdotally, the positioning of the lapel buttonhole has led Australian returned service personnel to state that "nothing is positioned above the Returned from Active Service badge". The RASB is not worn when medals are worn, as the medals themselves are ample proof of that status. This also applies to the miniature devices of honours and awards.
Some Government Issued Badges
Nearest Female
Relative Badge
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War Widows
Guild Brooch
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Silver War Badge
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Discharged Returned
Soldier Badge
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Government issued badge in enamel and sterling silver issued to the wife, mother or nearest female relative of
a serving soldier. Additional bars were suspended below for further individuals.
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Membership badge of a Kookaburra in sterling silver, issued by the Government to the widows of men
who lost their lives due to their service. Numbered on the reverse.
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Awarded to service personnel who sustained a wound, or contracted sickness of disability in the course
of the war as a result of which they were invalided out, or to soldiers who had retired during
the course of the war.
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First issued in 1916. Slight variations are indicative of a number of makers. 267,300 were issued.
Numbered on the reverse but the numbers have no link withlength of service or Service Number.
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[Badge information collated from Australian War Memorial, "Australians Awarded" by Clive Johnson and en.wikipedia.com]
